Immigration Restrictions
Immigration restrictions began because old immigrants were not welcoming of new immigrants. From this nativism formed. Nativism is when favoritism is towards native-born immigrants. Nativist only objectified immigrants from certain countries. Immigrants from Brittan, Germany, and Scandinavia were considered okay. Immigrants from Slavic, Latin, and Asian countries were immigrants looked down upon. Nativism led to anti-immigration groups such as the Immigration Restriction League, and the American Protective Association. These groups pushed for immigration restrictions. New immigrants would normally work for less money. American citizens were fearful that new immigrants were stealing their jobs. Immigration restrictions were passed. One of these restrictions was the Chinese Exclusion Act. This act banned entry to the United States to all Chinese except students, teachers, merchants, tourists, and government officials. This act lasted from 1882 to 1943. In 1897 Congress passed a bill requiring a literacy test for immigrants. This bill was vetoed by President Cleveland. In 1917 another similar bill was passed despite President Wilson vetoing the bill. Another immigration restriction was the Gentlemen’s Agreement. This was a deal between President Roosevelt and Japanese government. Japan was angry over the treatment of Japanese immigrants. In San Francisco Japanese children were segregated and put in different schools. Roosevelt agreed to repeal the San Francisco segregation order if the Japanese government restricted the emigration of unskilled workers to the United States.
Before the Immigration restrictions everybody could immigrate to the United States. After the immigration restrictions only select groups of people could immigrate. The Asian ethnic groups were especially restricted because of the depression of 1873. Work was already hard to come by and Chinese would accept lower wages. This led to anti-Chinese movements that pushed for immigration restrictions on the Chinese.
Before the Immigration restrictions everybody could immigrate to the United States. After the immigration restrictions only select groups of people could immigrate. The Asian ethnic groups were especially restricted because of the depression of 1873. Work was already hard to come by and Chinese would accept lower wages. This led to anti-Chinese movements that pushed for immigration restrictions on the Chinese.