Chinese Exclusion Act Of 1882 - 1608 Words

The 1848 Gold Rush fueled American prosperity in California, causing the impoverished Chinese to seek employment opportunities in the United States. Americans, however, did not welcome them. During the Panic of 1873, after the Gold Rush ended, competition for jobs became fierce. The jobs were mostly given to Americans. Out of desperation, the Chinese workers agreed to work for less salary than their American counterparts. Consequently, union workers rose up for their rightful jobs. With pressure from unions and anti-Chinese organizations, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned Chinese immigrants from entering the country for decades. The Act stated that any Chinese immigrant â€Å"found unlawfully† in the country†¦show more content†¦The prospect of forging a new path and life in America outweighed the small price of the tax. Immigrants coming to Canada could remain there without paying the head tax if they left within ninety days. While th e Act was enforced, the number of Chinese immigrants entering Canada and later into the United States increased. To the south, the Mexican border was also penetrable. The Mexican border was too long, and with the absence of large towns, even the newly created China Division in the Immigrations Service was unable to patrol the area. Either the Chinese disguised themselves as Mexicans to cross the border, or they saved up money in Mexico and later smuggled their way into the United States. The Chinese Six Companies (the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of San Francisco) was instrumental in helping to set up a network of trade for Chinese Immigrants to gain transportation and get across the borders. In total, about 17,000 Chinese immigrants entered the United States through Canada and Mexico from 1882 to 1920. Chinese immigrants entered the country from Seattle, Buffalo, San Diego, San Antonio, and El Paso, as well as other openings along the borders of the United States . The government simply could not protect their borders from crafty immigrants. Secretary of Labor, James David, acknowledged this point when he said, â€Å"If we had the whole army guarding the Mexico and Canadian waterfront, we could not stop this invasion by infiltration.† TheShow MoreRelatedThe Chinese Exclusion Act Of 18821025 Words   |  5 Pages The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed while President Chester Arthur was in office. It was the first law in the United States that restricted immigrants with a detailed agenda. However, before the act was passed, there were limitations against the Chinese already growing with legislatures and previous treaties. Although, attitudes towards the Chinese was not always discriminating and hostile, limitations grew and Chinese immigrants became unwelcome. Legislation ensured Chinese remainedRead MoreIn 1882, Congress made considerably stronger move in the Chinese Exclusion Act, the countrys first700 Words   |  3 PagesIn 1882, Congress made considerably stronger move in the Chinese Exclusion Act, the countrys first supremacist, prohibitive movement law. The Act suspended all movement of Chinese workers for ten years and precluded any court to concede Chinese individuals for citizenship. What brought the Chinese to America in any case? Likewise with numerous migrant gatherings, it was a combo of push and draw components. Numerous meant to escape destitution and oppression in China and would have liked toRead MoreCharacteristics Of Chinese Immigrants In America1262 Words   |  6 PagesWorld-War II, the Chinese immigrants to the U.S had many characteristics. First, the Chinese immigrants mai nly came from mainland China, such as the Guangdong province. The Chinese immigrants mainly came from the Guangdong province of China because of the location of Guangdong province. The Guangdong province was close to coastal areas where Guangong people could take the boasts and migrate to America. Also, Guangdong people was far away from the Chinese governments control. Therefore, Chinese immigrantsRead MoreWhy Did Chinese Immigrate to the United States?1053 Words   |  5 PagesWhy did Chinese immigrate to the United States? After civil war had settled down, many immigrants came to America to live from many countries such as Germany, Ireland, and England. There are as many as 12 million immigrants at this time. Regarding Chinese immigration, they immigrated to the United States from 1849 to 1882. Between this period, America had California Gold Rush, which is one of the reasons Chinese people immigrated. Because the Chinese Exclusion Act was taken into practice, no moreRead MoreGuarding The Golden Door : American Immigration Policy And Immigrants948 Words   |  4 PagesGuarding the Golden Door: American Immigration Policy and Immigrants Since 1882 -By Roger Daniels Guarding the Golden Door by Roger Daniels provides an overall clarification of the immigration system in the United States throughout the past and in latest policies. Ever since 1882, America claimed that the settlement objective was to prevent it from occurring, although it permitted the complete opposite. Thus, the single factual policy that has been realistic to American immigration is that itRead MoreBecoming American: the Chinese Experience929 Words   |  4 PagesBecoming American: The Chinese Experience SOCY 100 February 18, 2012 Introduction The Chinese Experience records the history of the Chinese in the United States. The three-part documentary shows how the first arrivals from China, their descendants, and recent immigrants have â€Å"become American.† It is a story about identity and belonging that is relative to all Americans. The documentary is divided into three programs, each with a focus on a particular time in history. Program 1 describesRead More Public Sentiments Concerning Chinese Immigration Essay1044 Words   |  5 PagesPublic Sentiments Concerning Chinese Immigration In 1852, there were over 20,000 Chinese immigrants living in California (Franks). Americans reacted very negatively to this influx, and their negative sentiments were made apparent in the California Supreme Court’s People v. Hall verdict, which rendered Chinese testimony unreliable. Then, in 1882, President Chester Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law that prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States (Foner, 651). FromRead MoreImmigration to the US1148 Words   |  5 Pagesrequested to import Chinese laborers into the United States in order to make the dream of Manifest Destiny to come true (Takaki 22). At first, the low-cost Chinese laborers were accepted by entrepreneurs and Americans because they were deemed necessary to accomplish â€Å"the errand into the wilderness† as described by the scholar Perry Miller (Takaki 23). However, around 1870’s when the economy declined as a result of the Civil War, Americans’ attitu de changed towards Chinese immigrants after beingRead MoreEssay on Better1052 Words   |  5 Pages   The  Chinese Exclusion Act    The United States of America is a typical country that stresses fairer for people.  Americans advocate that everyone should be free and equal. They emphasize the basic rights of humans. In the Declaration of Independence, it says people have three unalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nobody can despoil these rights without suitable reason.  But,  after a hundred years that the Declaration of Independence was passed, the American governmentRead MoreChinese Migration Essay1367 Words   |  6 PagesChinese immigration is a popular subject for many scholars that research the inconsistencies and patterns of Chinese migration. Prior to World War II, Chinese migration was strictly regulated and deeply connoted negative feelings against Chinese immigrants, yet it did not influx the United States until the early 1880’s with the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Chinese migration is particularly important, because unlike European immigrants that travelled with families, Chinese immigrants