The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act - Research Paper Example Because whatever occurs in history has an effect on the prospect, it is significantly imperative to understand the background of the Act along with how it influenced the North American community and other sections of society. Conceivably, by evaluating the past represented by implications of the Chinese exclusion Act, it might be achievable to build up a superior prospect in a perceptible way. This paper endeavors to provide research on the factors behind the Act, the implications of the Act particularly on North America and the milieu of the legislation. Additionally, the paper will give the results on the appraisal of the happenings adjacent to the Chinese exclusion Act, its execution along with issues emanating from its enactment and implementation. Obviously, any law touching on sensitive issues like race and immigration will derive numerous controversies and conflicts. The research paper will illuminate on the controversies of the incidence of the Act and its position in the vas t Asian American studies. Alternative perspectives of the Act, with respect to the 19th century, and its relationship with contemporary thought will form part of the discussion shedding more light on the Act. In essence, the exclusion Act led to a fall in economic production around the country because the Asians especially Chinese (barred from migrating to America) were hardworking individuals who played a prominent role in economic production (Powell 67). The enactment of legislations that focus on categories of people during times of need is of no gain to any population. The Cause and Effect of the Act The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, emanated from decades of Chinese intolerance signified by increased riots and campaigns against the mounting presence of Chinese laborers in parts of the United States. This culminated into the launch of decades of Chinese exclusion witnessed by the barring of Chinese people from migrating to America for ten years and later indefinitely (Daniels an d Graham 22). Enacted in 1882, the Act was the peak of three decades of continuous racism in America. Anti-Chinese perceptions had prevailed right from the momentous migration of the Chinese throughout the period of Gold Rush. In this period, miners and prospectors placed several taxes and legislations to obstruct the success of people of Chinese origin. The increase of Chinese migration into America augmented racial apprehensions, a factor that was significantly becoming a source of serious social misunderstandings. The migration of Chinese emanate from the ground of job rivalry by the whites who perceived the Chinese as a huge threat to their jobs and financial success. Though, the perceptions towards most perspectives were more of racial than economic nature and that the introduction of economic dimensions aimed at destructing the public from the inherent racial hatred towards the Chinese people. The exclusion act was, therefore, culmination of inherent racial mistrust directed t owards Chinese immigrants and primarily intended to last a period of ten years. However, the congress prolonged period of the Act to indefinite in 1902 thus cementing the existent racial perceptions against the Chinese group. The Chinese were not quick to react to Act as majority of them conflicted the idea of oppression, and many chose to stay silent on the issue. The advent of the Second World War was a significant development in the relationship