Transcript Nativism and the Chinese Exclusion Act

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.
1880s: Nativism rose again
• In response to “new” immigrants from
SE Europe, Asia
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