eduu 551 project

1. CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

2. Visuals Words (not all cartoons include words)
1. List the objects of people you see in the cartoon. 1. Identify the cartoon caption and/or title.
2. Locate three words or phrases used by the cartoonist
to identify objects or people within the cartoon.
3. Record any important dates or numbers that appear in
the cartoon.
Level 2
Visuals Words
2. Which of the objects on your list are symbols? 4. Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be
the most significant? Why do you think so?
3. What do you think each symbol means? 5. List adjectives that describe the emotions portrayed
in the cartoon.
Level 3
A. Describe the action taking place in the cartoon.
B. Explain how the words in the cartoon clarify the symbols.
C. Explain the message of the cartoon.
D. What special interest groups would agree/disagree with the cartoon's message? Why?
Designed and developed by the
Education Staff, National Archives and Records Administration,
Washington, DC 20408

5. OVERVIEW
Starting with the Gold Rush, Chinese migrated to California and other
regions of the United States in search of work. As several photographs
show, many Chinese found work in the gold mines and on the railroads.
They accepted $32.50 a month to work on the Union Pacific in
Wyoming in 1870 for the same job that paid white workers $52 a
month. This led to deep resentment by the whites, who felt the Chinese
were competing unfairly for jobs.

7. POLITICAL CORRUPTION
White labor unions blamed the Chinese for lower wages
and lack of jobs, and anti-Chinese feelings grew. The
cartoon "You Know How It Is Yourself" expresses this
sentiment. Several political cartoons in this topic are
graphic representations of racism and conflicts between
whites and Chinese. "Won't They Remain Here in Spite of
the New Constitution?" shows a demonized figure of
political corruption protecting Chinese cheap labor, dirty
politicians, capital, and financiers. "The Tables Turned"
shows Denis Kearney (head of the Workingman's Party of
California, a union that had criticized Chinese laborers) in
jail, being taunted by Chinese men.

10. EXCLUSION ACT 1882
In 1880, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the
Chinese Exclusion Treaty, which placed strict
limitations on the number of Chinese allowed to enter
the United States and the number allowed to become
naturalized citizens. In 1882, Congress passed the
Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited immigration
from China (The Act was not repealed until 1943). The
two-part cartoon from the July-December 1882 issue of
The Wasp reflects how some citizens saw the situation.
After the Act was passed, anti-Chinese violence
increased. One illustration depicts the Rock Springs
Massacre of 1885, a Wyoming race riot in which 28
Chinese were killed by British and Swedish miners.

14. The "Certificate of Residence" document illustrates
that Chinese individuals were required to prove their
residence in the United States prior to the passage of
the Exclusion Act. The poster offering a reward for
Wong Yuk, a Chinese man, makes it clear that the
United States was actively deporting Chinese.

16. California Content Standards
English language arts Grade 8:
1.0 Writing Strategies: Research and Technology
2.0 Writing Applications
2.3 Write research reports.
2.0 Speaking Applications
2.3 Deliver research presentations.
Social Science Grade 8:
8.12 Students analyze the transformation of the
American economy and the changing social and
political conditions in the United States in
response to the Industrial Revolution.

17. SOURCES
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=pw3i1X8_qUY&feature=related
• http://
www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/
themed_collections/subtopic2a.html