Chinese Exclusion Act 1882
"An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese.
Whereas in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof: Therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and 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 having so come after the expiration of said ninety days to remain within the United States.
SEC. 2. That the master of any vessel who shall knowingly bring within the United States on such vessel, and land or permit to be landed, any Chinese laborer, from any foreign port or place, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for each and every such Chinese laborer so brought, and maybe also imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year..."
1. What was the purpose of the document?
2. What fears do you think inspired such a document to be written?
3. How do you think is it that the writers of this document felt that "the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities." What type of danger do you think that they meant?
4. Why is it that a section of the bill was dedicated to the illegal transportation of Chinese laborers, what does this suggest?
5. Do you think that this act could have been passed before the completion of the transcontinental railroad?
6. Can you imagine a law similar to this being passed in the USA today? Why or why not?
2. What fears do you think inspired such a document to be written?
3. How do you think is it that the writers of this document felt that "the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities." What type of danger do you think that they meant?
4. Why is it that a section of the bill was dedicated to the illegal transportation of Chinese laborers, what does this suggest?
5. Do you think that this act could have been passed before the completion of the transcontinental railroad?
6. Can you imagine a law similar to this being passed in the USA today? Why or why not?
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