CHINESE EXCLUSION ACTCHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

OVERVIEWOVERVIEWOVERVIEWOVERVIEW

Starting with the Gold Rush, Chinese migrated to California and other regions of the United States in search of work. As several photographs show, many Chinese found work in the gold mines and on the railroads. They accepted $32.50 a month to work on the Union Pacific in Wyoming in 1870 for the same job that paid white workers $52 a month. This led to deep resentment by the whites, who felt the Chinese were competing unfairly for jobs.

POLITICAL CORRUPTIONPOLITICAL CORRUPTIONPOLITICAL CORRUPTIONPOLITICAL CORRUPTION

White labor unions blamed the Chinese for lower wages and lack of jobs, and anti-Chinese feelings grew. The cartoon "You Know How It Is Yourself" expresses this sentiment. Several political cartoons in this topic are graphic representations of racism and conflicts between whites and Chinese. "Won't They Remain Here in Spite of the New Constitution?" shows a demonized figure of political corruption protecting Chinese cheap labor, dirty politicians, capital, and financiers. "The Tables Turned" shows Denis Kearney (head of the Workingman's Party of California, a union that had criticized Chinese laborers) in jail, being taunted by Chinese men.

EXCLUSION ACT 1882EXCLUSION ACT 1882

In 1880, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the In 1880, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the Chinese Exclusion Treaty, which placed strict Chinese Exclusion Treaty, which placed strict limitations on the number of Chinese allowed to enter limitations on the number of Chinese allowed to enter the United States and the number allowed to become the United States and the number allowed to become naturalized citizens. In 1882, Congress passed the naturalized citizens. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited immigration Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited immigration from China (The Act was not repealed until 1943). The from China (The Act was not repealed until 1943). The two-part cartoon from the July-December 1882 issue of two-part cartoon from the July-December 1882 issue of The Wasp reflects how some citizens saw the situation. The Wasp reflects how some citizens saw the situation. After the Act was passed, anti-Chinese violence After the Act was passed, anti-Chinese violence increased. One illustration depicts the Rock Springs increased. One illustration depicts the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, a Wyoming race riot in which 28 Massacre of 1885, a Wyoming race riot in which 28 Chinese were killed by British and Swedish miners.Chinese were killed by British and Swedish miners.

The "Certificate of Residence" document illustrates that Chinese individuals were required to prove their residence in the United States prior to the passage of the Exclusion Act. The poster offering a reward for Wong Yuk, a Chinese man, makes it clear that the United States was actively deporting Chinese.

English language arts Grade 8: 1.0 Writing Strategies: Research and Technology2.0 Writing Applications2.3 Write research reports.2.0 Speaking Applications2.3 Deliver research presentations.

Social Science Grade 8:8.12 Students analyze the transformation of the American economy and the changing social and political conditions in the United States in response to the Industrial Revolution.

California Content StandardsCalifornia Content Standards

SOURCES

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw3i1X8_qUY&feature=related

•http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/themed_collections/subtopic2a.html