Chinese Exclusion Act
“Increasing public debates over assimilation and Americanization accompanied the growth of international migration. Many immigrants negotiated compromises between the cultures they brought and the culture they found in the United States.” Through the end of the 19th century, nativists continued to lobby Congress for legislation that would reduce immigration into the US. In 1882, they succeeded in getting Congress to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Whereas in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof: Therefore, be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and until the expiration of ten years next after the passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, and the same is hereby, suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or having so come after the expiration of said ninety days to remain within the United States…
SEC. 14. That hereafter no State court or court of the United States shall admit Chinese to citizenship; and all laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.
Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882.
Question 1
This act was passed in the midst of economic instability in the US. Why might economic conditions lead to increased nativist support?
Question 2
How does this law come into conflict with the 14th amendment?
Question 3
How does the scrutiny and legislation restrictions the Chinese faced compare to those facing other migrants from Europe?
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