A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What did the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 represent?

1. An effort to promote Chinese immigration to America

2. A governmental restriction on Chinese immigration

3. A policy encouraging multiculturalism in the U.S.

4. An act promoting trade with China

The correct answer is: A governmental restriction on Chinese immigration

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was indeed a governmental restriction on Chinese immigration to the United States. This piece of legislation was a significant landmark in American immigration policy, marking the first time that a specific national origin was explicitly targeted for exclusion. It was a response to widespread anti-Chinese sentiment, particularly in the context of economic competition and racial prejudice. The Act effectively halted the immigration of Chinese laborers to the U.S. for ten years and was subsequently renewed and expanded, illustrating the entrenched nature of discriminatory practices during that era. The act reflects a broader pattern of exclusivity that characterized U.S. immigration policy at the time, prioritizing certain ethnic groups over others and shaping societal attitudes towards immigrants.