Closing the Gate

Race, Politics, and the Chinese Exclusion Act

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Emigration & Immigration, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book Closing the Gate by Andrew Gyory, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Gyory ISBN: 9780807866757
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: November 9, 2000
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Andrew Gyory
ISBN: 9780807866757
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: November 9, 2000
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred practically all
Chinese from American shores for ten years, was the first federal
law that banned a group of immigrants solely on the basis of race
or nationality. By changing America's traditional policy of open
immigration, this landmark legislation set a precedent for future
restrictions against Asian immigrants in the early 1900s and
against Europeans in the 1920s.
Tracing the origins of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Andrew
Gyory presents a bold new interpretation of American politics
during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. Rather than directly
confront such divisive problems as class conflict, economic
depression, and rising unemployment, he contends, politicians
sought a safe, nonideological solution to the nation's industrial
crisis--and latched onto Chinese exclusion. Ignoring workers'
demands for an end simply to imported contract labor, they
claimed instead that working people would be better off if there
were no Chinese immigrants. By playing the race card, Gyory
argues, national politicians--not California, not organized
labor, and not a general racist atmosphere--provided the motive
force behind the era's most racist legislation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred practically all
Chinese from American shores for ten years, was the first federal
law that banned a group of immigrants solely on the basis of race
or nationality. By changing America's traditional policy of open
immigration, this landmark legislation set a precedent for future
restrictions against Asian immigrants in the early 1900s and
against Europeans in the 1920s.
Tracing the origins of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Andrew
Gyory presents a bold new interpretation of American politics
during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. Rather than directly
confront such divisive problems as class conflict, economic
depression, and rising unemployment, he contends, politicians
sought a safe, nonideological solution to the nation's industrial
crisis--and latched onto Chinese exclusion. Ignoring workers'
demands for an end simply to imported contract labor, they
claimed instead that working people would be better off if there
were no Chinese immigrants. By playing the race card, Gyory
argues, national politicians--not California, not organized
labor, and not a general racist atmosphere--provided the motive
force behind the era's most racist legislation.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book Grassroots Garveyism by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Hiking and Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, Revised and Expanded Edition by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Journal of the Civil War Era by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Red Spy Queen by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Thomas Day by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book On Freedom and the Will to Adorn by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Public Sentiments by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Pursuits of Happiness by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book The Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Appalachia by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Fred Thompson’s Southern Sides by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book The Last Generation by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book A Time of Bees by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book Catholic Loyalism in Elizabethan England by Andrew Gyory
Cover of the book The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture by Andrew Gyory
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy