The Chinese Exclusion Act and the Gentlemen`s Agreement were two significant events in American history that had a significant impact on Chinese migration and immigration policies. These two policies were enacted at different times but were closely related, as they both aimed to limit the number of Chinese immigrants coming into the United States.
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882, making it the first law to restrict immigration based on race and national origin. The law was designed to limit the number of Chinese immigrants entering the country by prohibiting Chinese laborers from coming to the United States. The law also prevented Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens and owning property in the country.
The Chinese Exclusion Act was driven by a number of factors, including economic anxiety, labor concerns, and racial discrimination. Many Americans believed that Chinese immigrants were taking jobs away from American citizens, and feared that the influx of Chinese immigrants would drive down wages. Additionally, Chinese immigrants were often the target of racist attacks and were seen as a threat to the dominant white culture of the country.
The Gentlemen`s Agreement, on the other hand, was a diplomatic agreement between the United States and Japan, signed in 1907. The agreement was designed to address tensions between the two countries over the treatment of Japanese immigrants in the United States. In exchange for the United States agreeing to stop segregating Japanese students in public schools, Japan agreed to limit the number of immigrants leaving for the United States.
The Gentlemen`s Agreement was driven by similar concerns as the Chinese Exclusion Act, including a fear of economic competition and racial discrimination. However, the agreement focused specifically on Japanese immigrants, who were also seen as a threat to the dominant white culture of the country.
Both the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Gentlemen`s Agreement had a significant impact on Chinese and Japanese migration to the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act remained in effect until 1943, when it was repealed after pressure from the Chinese government and the United States` alliance with China during World War II. The Gentlemen`s Agreement remained in effect until 1924, when it was replaced by the Immigration Act of 1924, which imposed strict quotas on immigration from all countries.
In conclusion, the purpose of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Gentlemen`s Agreement was to limit the number of Chinese and Japanese immigrants coming to the United States, due to economic anxieties, labor concerns, and racial discrimination. These policies had a significant impact on Chinese and Japanese migration to the United States and remain important examples of the country`s complicated immigration history.