Why was Chinese immigration restricted in 1882 Essay
1.3 – Chinese Exclusion Act and the Exclusion of Asians, Pacific Islanders & Chinese Women Show
Grade: 5-12Subject: English Language Arts, U.S. HistoryNumber of Activities: 3 Overview PBS Asian Americans Episode 1 – Breaking Ground (1850s to 1920s). Signed on May 6th, 1882 by President Chester A. Arthur, the Chinese Exclusion Act was the first law to explicitly limit immigration based on race. This lesson is designed to go further in exploring the causes and effects of the Chinese Exclusion Act through analysis of primary and secondary sources. The purpose is to showcase the conditions in the US that led to a rise in xenophobia, and in turn, race-based policies that defined the Chinese American and Asian American experience in the United States. The lesson will also have students engage in critical thinking through research and a class discussion comparing and contrasting the Chinese Exclusion Act and current immigration policies or proposed immigration policies. Objectives
Chinese Exclusion Act and the Exclusion of Asians Essay Signed on May 6th, 1882 by President Chester Arthur, the Chinese Exclusion Act was the first in a series of laws explicitly used to limit immigration based on race. It was a product of factors in China and conditions in the United States which led to huge consequences both in that era as well as today. The law changed the landscape for American immigration and set a precedent in policy-making for generations to come. Chinese immigration to the US began in the early 1800s. Many leaving China were fleeing the economic crisis, political unrest (two Opium Wars (1839-1860), and the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864)) to seek better opportunities. During the Gold Rush and the building of the railroad, they worked as an expendable labor force. When the end of the Civil War marked the end of slavery in the United States, Chinese filled the need for cheap labor solutions. It wasn’t until the financial panic hit and unemployment skyrocketed in the 1870s that labor unions formed and began to see the Chinese as their competition. Labor unions gained political power and lobbied for laws to limit the immigration of the Chinese. Violence occurred during this era in terms of bodily and property damage. Gangs would roam through the streets. They would go to Chinatown and beat people up. They would attack Chinese laundries, burn them down and all over the West, the Pacific Northwest through Nevada, Southern California, there were riots, lynchings, burnings, massacres of Chinese. When the Chinese Exclusion Act was signed, the law reflected almost widespread sentiment that the “Chinese Must Go”. There was much scapegoating and stereotyping. The law restricted laborers from entering the country and added additional stipulations to the Chinese who wanted to enter. One early advocate for the Chinese and Asian immigration was Frederick Douglass who spoke against the ban, stated that rights of immigrants, even those in the process of immigrating were rights that should be respected and protected by those in power. The Chinese Exclusion Act set a precedent for restrictive immigration. Between 1907 and 1934 other laws and policies were passed to exclude other Asian groups including Japanese, Koreans and Filipinos from immigration. During World War II Japan used the Chinese Exclusion Act as propaganda that the U.S. society is racist to get China to break with the U.S. Subsequently the U.S. repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943. Congresswoman Judy Chu from California introduced a resolution of regret, House Resolution 683, that explicitly recognized the un-American actions and policies of the Chinese Exclusion Act that unfairly targeted Chinese and Asian immigrants. In June of 2012, the United States Congress passed the resolution. At the time of this lesson’s formation, Asian Americans are once again feeling the brunt of xenophobia as hate and racism increased with the fear of COVID-19. Despite decades of contributions, it doesn’t take a great deal of fear to once again demonize an entire population. Vocabulary:
Discussion Questions:
Activity 1: How did the Chinese Exclusion Act make Chinese and Asian immigrants the first undocumented immigrants?
Activity 2: The long-term consequences of the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act (Social, political, economic, etc.)
Activity 3: The current immigration policies or current proposal on immigration policies.
Further Information What happened to the Chinese immigrants in 1882?In the spring of 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Chester A. Arthur. This act provided an absolute 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the United States.
What was the purpose of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 quizlet?The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited all immigration of Chinese laborers. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first law implemented and enforced to prevent all members of a specific ethnic or national group from immigrating. It also marks the beginning of immigration regulation.
What was the main reason for Chinese immigration?In the 1850s, Chinese workers migrated to the United States, first to work in the gold mines, but also to take agricultural jobs, and factory work, especially in the garment industry.
What difficulties did Chinese immigrants face in the 1800s?Even as they struggled to find work, Chinese immigrants were also fighting for their lives. During their first few decades in the United States, they endured an epidemic of violent racist attacks, a campaign of persecution and murder that today seems shocking.
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