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Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
This act prevented the U.S. from importing slaves from other countries. This was an attempt to end the international slave trade. However, slavery in the U.S. was still legal and continued until the American Civil War. -
Irish Potato Famine
The Irish Potato Famine caused many Irish to seek refuge in America. However, the immigrants faced prejudice Many Irish Americans were illiterate and Catholic, which contrasted with the American Protestantism. -
The Gold Rush (1848-1855)
The American Gold Rush brought a lot of immigrants to the country in search of wealth and the "American Dream". Many Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. during this time period. However, immigrants found that the claims of riches were vastly exaggerated. -
Homestead Act
This act was passed by Abraham Lincoln, who wanted to continue Westward Expansion. The act allowed civilians to stay on land for five years and purchase the land at an affordable price. This caused many immigrants to seek opportunities in the Western U.S. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This was the first act that restricted immigration into America. After the influx of Chinese immigrants for the Gold Rush, America decided to bar entry of all Chinese laborers from entering the country for ten years. This was not fully repealed until 1943. -
Scott Act
This act furthered the discrimination of Chinese immigrants in the Chinese Exclusion Act. This act required Chinese immigrants to receive approval from U.S. government before entering the country. Those that came to the U.S. could not come for work. -
Immigration Act 1917
This act enforced restrictions on individuals seeking to immigrate to America. A few of the people that were barred from U.S. entry were: laborers, disabled, and illiterate. There was a provision to allow Mexican laborers to be hired and outlawed certain Asian countries. -
The Red Scare (1917-1921)
Americans feared the development of fascism and communism. The 1st Red Scare occurred after World War I and in response to the Russian Revolution. The 2nd Red Scare was during the 1940s-1950s. America was bombarded with anti-communist propaganda. -
Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act)
This act put a limit on the number of people immigrating from each country into the United States. However, the Chinese ban was still enforced, along with several other Asian countries. The total number of immigrants was limited to 350,000 each year. -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese attacked the Naval base in Honolulu, killing about 2,000 soldiers. President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. The U.S. had finally joined the fighting in World War II.This event added to the fear of the Japanese and other immigrants. -
Cold War (1947-1991)
The Cold War pinned U.S. against Japan. Both countries created racist propaganda to encourage civilian support of the war. Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps as fear spread of these people sharing information with the Japanese enemy. -
Immigration and Nationality Act 1965
This act adjusted the immigration quota system enacted by the Immigration Act of 1924. Immigrants were now given visas based on preferences for specific categories. Immigrants that were immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen were not constrained by the 100,000 limit. -
9/11
Terrorists seized two U.S. civilian airplanes and directed them to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. While the Pentagon was not hit, the Trade Center was hit, killing 3,000 civilians. This event resulted in U.S. creating anti-terrorist legislation. -
AZ Prop 200, Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act
This state law required all voters to show non-photo ID at voting polls. The law also requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in Arizona. Many argued this was an anti-immigrant law. -
SB 1070
This Arizona act was meant to enforce border security between Arizona and Mexico. The act required all immigrants to carry identification and allowed law enforcement to check anyone who looked suspicious. This was a highly controversial law nationally.
