Chinese Exclusion Act

Definition

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a United States federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the country. It was the first significant law restricting immigration into the US and had a profound impact on Chinese immigrants and Hispanic citizens during the period of westward expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Chinese Exclusion Act was a direct response to economic and cultural tensions between the growing Chinese immigrant population and white Americans on the West Coast.
2. The act banned Chinese laborers from entering the United States and prevented Chinese immigrants already in the country from becoming naturalized citizens.
3. It remained in effect for over 60 years until it was repealed in 1943 during World War II, when China became an important ally of the United States.
4. The Chinese Exclusion Act led to a significant decline in the Chinese-American population and had lasting impacts on the Chinese community in the US.
5. The act also contributed to the growth of anti-immigrant sentiment and nativism, which affected other immigrant groups, including Hispanic citizens, during the period of westward expansion.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Chinese Exclusion Act impacted the Chinese immigrant population in the United States.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act had a devastating impact on the Chinese immigrant population in the United States. It banned Chinese laborers from entering the country and prevented Chinese immigrants already living in the US from becoming naturalized citizens. This led to a significant decline in the Chinese-American population and created a climate of fear and discrimination within the Chinese community. The act also contributed to the growth of anti-immigrant sentiment and nativism, which affected other immigrant groups, including Hispanic citizens, during the period of westward expansion.
• Describe the economic and cultural tensions that led to the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act was a direct response to the growing economic and cultural tensions between the Chinese immigrant population and white Americans on the West Coast. Chinese immigrants were often willing to work for lower wages, which threatened the jobs of white workers. There was also a perception that the Chinese were unwilling to assimilate and maintain their own cultural practices, leading to fears and resentment among the native-born population. These tensions, fueled by xenophobia and nativism, ultimately led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was the first significant law restricting immigration into the United States.
• Analyze the long-term impacts of the Chinese Exclusion Act on the United States and its relationship with China.
  • The Chinese Exclusion Act had far-reaching and long-lasting impacts on the United States and its relationship with China. By banning Chinese laborers from entering the country and preventing Chinese immigrants from becoming naturalized citizens, the act contributed to the decline of the Chinese-American population and the growth of anti-immigrant sentiment and nativism. This had a lasting effect on the social and economic fabric of the country, particularly in the western states. The act also strained diplomatic relations between the US and China, which was an important ally during World War II. The repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 was a significant step towards improving US-China relations, but the legacy of the act continued to shape the country's approach to immigration and diversity for decades to come.

Related terms

Xenophobia: An irrational fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners.

Nativism: The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.

Transcontinental Railroad: The first railroad to link the eastern and western United States, which was built with significant Chinese labor.