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Chinese Exclusion Act

Definition

The Chinese Exclusion Act was a federal law passed in 1882 that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States. It was the first significant restriction on immigration in U.S. history.

Analogy

Imagine you're having a party at your house, and you have limited space available. To make sure there's enough room for your closest friends, you decide to exclude people you don't know well from attending. Similarly, the Chinese Exclusion Act aimed to limit the number of Chinese immigrants coming into the country.

Related terms

Nativism: Nativism refers to a policy or belief that favors native-born individuals over foreign-born ones.

Immigration Restriction League: The Immigration Restriction League was an organization formed in 1894 that advocated for more restrictions on immigration to protect American workers and culture.

Chinese American Citizens Alliance: The Chinese American Citizens Alliance is an organization founded in 1895 to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for Chinese Americans while also preserving their cultural heritage.