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Causes And Effects Of The Chinese Inclusion Act

Decent Essays

Signed by President Chester A. Arthur on 6 May 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was the very first law passed by Congress that targeted a specific ethnic group. It was specifically implemented in order to restrict the immigration of the Chinese into the US as well as interdicting them from becoming a US citizen. “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 to remain within the United States.” (Act Sec.1)[1] Evidently, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was an event of great misjudgment and blind racism as shown by its racial discrimination, unjust actions, and laws/prerequisites regarding immigration to the US. Already facing racial and financial hardships, this particular ban is clearly inequitable as the Chinese were only immigrating to earn money in order to support their families.

A substantial increase in Chinese immigrants first commenced in 1849 when the gold rush in California occurred. They were facing extreme poverty back in China where the Taiping Rebellion caused mass famine and a substandard economy. In such a negative condition, many Chinese immigrants came with hopes of finding wealth to support their families back in China. They were exceptionally amicable, frugal, and hard-working. Furthermore, they were willing to take low-wage jobs that other groups

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