The Chinese Exclusion Act

Advertisements for the Chinese Exclusion Acts Advertisements for the Chinese Exclusion Acts. Often times, town hall-style meetings were held to gain opinions from the public. Representatives reported these findings to Congress to show the beliefs of their constituents. How did the American public justify the process of excluding Chinese?

Origins of Anti-Chinese Sentiment 1st significant wave of Chinese immigration occurred during the California Gold Rush of 1849. This led to the use of Chinese laborers for various labor projects. (Ex: construction of Transcontinental Railroad) As competition increased over decreasing amounts of gold, the anti-Chinese mentality continued to grow. Most Chinese were driven from the mines & settled in Chinese communities in the cities (Ex: San Francisco). Here, the Chinese obtained low-wage jobs as unskilled laborers doing restaurant & laundry work.

Chinese Exclusion Act Beginning in 1882, the law was passed to suspend Chinese immigration. Originally meant to be temporary (10 yrs), it wasn’t repealed until 1943. The law banned skilled & unskilled Chinese laborers. The law prevented Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens. Many could immigrate, but with permission from China that they were qualified—which was difficult to prove.

Propaganda against the Chinese Exclusion Acts Propaganda against the Chinese Exclusion Acts. What is the cartoon showing?? What stereotypes are shown to facilitate the anti-Chinese sentiment? What “truths” about the Chinese are present?