What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at restricting immigration specifically from China. This law prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States, marking the first major federal legislation to limit immigration based on nationality and ethnicity. The act was a response to growing nativist sentiments and economic fears among American workers who believed that Chinese immigrants were taking jobs away from them. As a result, the law not only barred Chinese laborers from entering the country but also set a precedent for future immigration restrictions based on national origin, influencing later policies that targeted other groups. It reflected the larger social and political climate of the time, which was characterized by racial prejudice and xenophobia. This context emphasizes the targeted nature of the legislation, focusing strictly on Chinese immigrants rather than a broader approach to immigration from all Asian countries or allowing for continued immigration like worker treaties.