In 1882, a few years before the installation of the Statue of Liberty, President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which decreed that Chinese people could not become American citizens, while also placing draconian limits on Chinese immigration to America. This was the first time a people had been singled out for exclusion by name, and the act remained in force for 60 years. Directed by Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu, this PBS-aired American Experience documentary describes the origins and effects of the law, which was the result of long-simmering resentment by labor organizations and immigrant groups in California, who were aided by ambitious politicians. In addition to outright prejudice against the "heathen Chinee," who were often depicted as subhuman and incapable of being assimilated, people feared that an influx of Chinese would depress wages. The Chinese originally came seeking opportunities in California's gold fields and later worked as builders of the transcontinental railroad. Immigrants were initially protected by the terms of an 1849 treaty that was passed as a way of securing favorable terms for America's trade with China. Gradually, however, depictions of Chinese as servile coolies led to restrictions and petty exclusions and later to killings (including lynchings), home burnings, ever more strict limits on Chinese protection under the law (even banding together in Chinatowns couldn't guarantee safety). Denied access to voting booths, Chinese immigrants sought relief from the courts, with only limited success. Only with the coming of WWII, shifting alliances, and changing attitudes, was the prejudicial law finally repealed. The film features insights from historians and contemporary Chinese-Americans, as well as readings from vintage diaries and Chinese letters to newspapers. Extras include additional scenes. A timely documentary as the immigration debate continues to rage, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
The Chinese Exclusion Act
(2017) 160 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0488-9. Volume 33, Issue 6
The Chinese Exclusion Act
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