Transcript Nativism and the Chinese Exclusion Act

LEARNING TARGETS
1. Define nativism and give
examples of nativist actions.
2. Determine arguments for and
against excluding Chinese immigrants to
prepare for a debate tomorrow.
Nativism
and the
Chinese Exclusion
Act
Nativism
• Policy of favoring native-born
people over immigrants
1840s-1850s: Rise in Nativism
• Increased immigration
• Anti-Catholicism
• Fear of job competition
“The Pope’s Dream:” This cartoon references
anti-Catholic attitudes common in the 19th
century that Catholics were anti-democratic
and loyal primarily to the Pope.
1850s: “Know-Nothing” Party
formed
• Supported white, native-born
Protestants for public office
A nativist cartoon depicting the Irish
and the Germans stealing the ballot
box while Americans fight at the polls
Flag of the Know-Nothing Party
1850s-1880s: Rise in Chinese
immigration
• 300,000 came for work
• Results: racism and discrimination
Laundry-related artifacts from
Stockton, CA. Many Chinese who
came to CA worked as launderers
because they could be their own
boss, and didn’t need to speak much
English.
View of Chinatown alley
1880s: Nativism rose again
• In response to “new” immigrants
from SE Europe, Asia
• CA nativists pressure Congress
Chinese Exclusion Act
Preamble: Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United
States, the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers
the good order of the United States:
• Section 1: Future Chinese laborers will be banned from
immigrating to the United States
• Section 2: Chinese laborers already in the U.S. will be
allowed to stay.
• Section 3: No Chinese people will be allowed to become
U.S. citizens.
Chinese Exclusion Act
Preamble: Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of
the United States, the coming of Chinese laborers to
this country endangers the good order of the United
States:
• Section 1: Future Chinese laborers will be
banned from immigrating to the United States
• Section 2: While Chinese laborers already in
the U.S. will be allowed to stay, no Chinese
people will be allowed to become U.S. citizens.
1882: Chinese
Exclusion Act passed
•Stopped Chinese
immigration
•Chinese couldn’t become
citizens
•Renewed until WWII
1894: Immigration
Restriction League
•Nativists wanted literacy tests
(required immigrants to read and
write)
1902: Gentlemen’s
Agreement with Japan
•Japanese workers not allowed in U.S.
Japanese immigrants had replaced
Chinese; were strong in agriculture
Signing the Agreement
1913: Alien Land Act
•Asians in CA couldn’t own agriculture
land
Election Poster for Supporter of
Alien Land Act
Final Reflection
Choose one of the following questions. Answer
it in 2-3 FULL sentences in your notebook.
1. Summarize: Explain the effects of nativism on
immigrants.
2. Predict: Do you think that laws similar to those
discussed today could be passed today?