Chinese+Exclusion+Act,+1888

Shayna Alper 4/2/09 Mr. Nolan Pd. 1

__The Chinese Exclusion Act: 1888__

The Chinese exclusion act was passed on May 6, 1888. There were many reasons why there was an act passed restricting Chinese from entering the country. There became a huge flow of Chinese immigrants coming to the United States during the California gold rush. This was a huge pull factor for the United States, and it caused a great increase in immigrants. After the Chinese were taken from the mines they began to settle in cities. Americans didn’t mind the Chinese immigrants, but when they began moving into the cities it became a problem. The Chinese took many jobs because they would work for lower pay then any other American. This got on the nerves of many Americans because the Chinese were taking all of their jobs! This resulted in severe Nativism Americans began to live by the saying “America For Americans.” They did not want any “unwanted” immigrant in “their” country. The Chinese began to be discriminated against. They fell into a time where racism spread the country. Soon the Chinese would face a restriction on their immigration. Even those already inside the country were deported and taken from the United States.
 * Explain the Background and the Cause of the Document?**

The Chinese exclusion act became the first United States restriction on immigration. The act only was stated to band Chinese immigration for ten years. The act included the banning of all Chinese immigration. The act banned all skilled and non-skilled workers, as well as for the Chinese immigrants that were already settled in the country. All these immigrants were deported and sent back to their own country. The only way they were able to return is if they got Chinese governmental approval that proved them a “qualified” immigrant. Which rarely ever happened since it was very hard to prove. After ten years, The Geary Act extended the Chinese Exclusion act another ten years in 1892, and than the Extension Act of 1904 made it permanent. Some Immigrant still came to America, and even though most were deported, those that made it through were treated inhumanly. In some conditions the immigrants were killed. For sixty-one years Chinese immigration remained banned. In 1943 congress finally decided to repeal the Chinese exclusion act with the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act, which fully allowed the immigration of the Chinese again.
 * What is the History of the Document?**

The Chinese Exclusion Act had barely any controversy. Americans were going through a strict period of racism and Nativism. People were anti-immigration, and did not trust any foreigner. This not only included the Chinese, but any other immigrant as well. If you weren’t Roman Catholic, you were not welcome in the United States. Americans were afraid of their culture being forgotten or lost with all the new types of people coming to America such as the Chinese, or Irish, who were Protestant. The Chinese stood out the most because unlike the Irish, the Chinese looked the most different from everyone else. They were the easiest to pick out, and therefore suffered from the most discrimination. Most Americans thought this way during the 1880’s so they approved of the Act. The only people who had different outlooks on the Acts were those of the Chinese immigrants who were already settled in the United States but were deported anyways due to the Act. They did not think is was fair to be thrown out of the country when they thought they were considered “free.” All the immigrants came to the country looking for freedom. They thought they had found their freedom, but soon enough they were kicked out and their freedom was l
 * Was there any Controversy?**

America knew that the immigration numbers were increasing. The economy was doing so well that it pulled a variety of immigrants into the United States. The Chinese helped the American economy boom. Even thought they helped, the anti-Chinese Sentiment increased. The Chinese took many jobs in both skilled and non-skilled working areas. What angered Americans was that though they assimilated in America, they still kept their traditions and their cultures. It got to the point where it was too much. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first restriction Act on Immigration. This is why it is of importance to American History. The American government could of limited any other culture from immigrating here to the United States, but they chose the Chinese just because of their religion and their culture. The Chinese were not Roman Catholic, the majority were Buddhist, and Americans did not agree with that. The Chinese Exclusion Act was based basically on Racism, and that is why it is important to our history.
 * Does It Have Any Significance In History?**

I would place this document as a 30. I would place it here because though it may be important to our history, it is not the most important. During these times there are events that served more of a purpose than the Chinese Exclusion Act. Yes it is important because it does show the height of racism in our country, but it wasn’t the most important thing going on in our country at that moment. It is still important to educate and learn about that Chinese Exclusion Act because it was the first restriction on immigration. It is also important to know why the government chose to limit immigration on the Chinese and not on other immigrant groups. The actual immigration taken place during this time and the United States prospering economy were more important during this time.
 * How Important is the Document?**

Though it seems impossible to compare and contrast the Chinese Exclusion Act and the United States 16th amendment to the constitution in 1913, they do have similarities as well as differences. The 16th amendment limited the congress’ authority to levy income tax. Before the Chinese exclusion act was ever passed, there were other ways that were used to discriminate against the Chinese. When the Chinese were working in mines, some of the other white miners and prospectors taxed the Chinese and made laws to keep them from success. The 16th amendment was made to limit the authority of taxation, so this would prevent people from taxing a group unfairly. They are different because the Chinese Exclusion Act is a restriction on Immigration. It doesn’t refer to the constitution at all. The 16th amendment limits taxing. This doesn’t have to do with immigration. It was just made because congress was using their power to tax to loosely. It has nothing to do with racism against the Chinese, or restricting the entry of a certain group into the country. In the long run the 16th amendment is of more significance because without it, congress could raise taxes at great ease, and that would serve many problems.
 * The Chinese Exclusion Act and The 16th Amendment.**