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1870 Naturalization Act
Although Congress amended the naturalization laws to allow persons of African descent to become naturalized American citizens, the Senate explicitly rejected an amendment to extend naturalization to persons of Chinese descent. -
1879 “15 Passenger Bill”
Congress restricted Chinese immigration by limiting the number of Chinese passengers permitted on any ship coming to the U.S. to 15. Leaders in the Congressional debate expressed the view that Chinese persons were “aliens, not to be trusted with political rights.” President Rutherford B. Hayes vetoed the bill as being inconsistent with U.S.-China treaty commitments that permitted the free movement of peoples. -
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1882 Chinese Exclusion Act
Congress suspended the immigration of skilled and unskilled Chinese laborers, and expressly prohibited state and federal courts from naturalizing Chinese persons. The act was only intended to last ten years, but it wasn't repealed until 1943. -
1884 Exclusion Law Amendments
Congress broadened the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to apply to all persons of Chinese descent, “whether subject of China or any other foreign power.” The amendments also imposed stricter documentation requirements on travel for persons of Chinese descent. -
1888 Scott Act
Congress prohibited all Chinese laborers who left the United States, or who in the future would choose to leave, from reentering. The Scott Act canceled all previously issued “certificates of return,” meaning that 20,000 Chinese laborers then overseas who held these certificates could not return to the United States. The Supreme Court recognized that the act abrogated U.S.-China treaty obligations, but nonetheless upheld the act’s validity, reasoning that Congress had absolute authority to exc -
1892 Geary Act
Congress extended all previous Chinese Exclusion Laws by ten years. By requiring Chinese persons in the United States to carry a “certificate of residence” at all times, the Geary Act made Chinese persons who could not produce these certificates presumptively deportable unless they could establish residence through the testimony of “at least one credible white witness.” Congress also denied bail to Chinese immigrants who applied for writs of habeas corpus. -
1902 Chinese Laws
Congress indefinitely extended all Chinese Exclusion Laws -
1904 Chinese Laws
Congress made permanent all Chinese Exclusion Laws -
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World War 1
The first large movement of African-Americans. Around 454,000 southerners moved north to cities like Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York. -
Start of The Great Migration
African-Americans start moving from the south of America to the north and west. Most traveled to cities like Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York. -
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The Great Migration
African-Americans move from the south to the north and west. -
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1920s Movement
Around 800,000 African-Americans left the south. -
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1930s Movement
Around 398,000 African-Americans left the south. -
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1940-1960 Movement
Over 3,348,000 African-Americans left the south for northern and western cities, such as Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York (north), and Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle (west). -
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1940s Migration (Pacific Northwest)
About 25,000 African-Americans migrated to Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. Seattle's black population grew over 300% (3,789 - 15,666). Portland's black population grew over 400% (1,931 - 9,529) -
1943 Repeal
Congress repealed all laws “relating to the exclusion and deportation of the Chinese.” Congress permitted 105 persons of Chinese descent to immigrate into the United States each year, and enabled persons of Chinese descent to become American citizens. The 1943 repeal, however, was enacted a wartime measure to counteract enemy propaganda after China became an ally of the United States during World War II, with little acknowledgment of the injustice of the laws.