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People vs. Hall
This was a Supreme Court case of the people of California against a Chinese immigrant, George W. Hall. It ruled that Chinese people were not allowed to testify in court, just like African Americans and Native Americans could not (History.com Editors, 2018). The Chinese were discriminated against and often abused. Due to this court case, Chinese immigrants were incapable of getting justice for their abuse or to be witnesses of others abuse. -
Police Tax
During World War 2, the Chinese and Asians became a part of the racial segregation that took place in America. In California, to decrease Chinese immigration, legislation was passed that forced the Chinese to pay a $2.50 tax every month. All California state Chinese residents had to pay the tax or they would be fined or arrested. The Chinese not employed in production or manufacture of tea, rice, coffee, or sugar did not have to pay the tax (Anti-Chinese Legislation, ) -
The 13th Amendment
This amendment was passed by Congress with the approval of Abraham Lincoln. It abolished slavery in the U.S. It ensured that all U.S. citizens were free under the law. Slavery, from this time forward, was only accepted as a form of punishment. Now-a-days, it is completely uncalled for and illegal, even as a punishment, in the U.S. This was a big step towards minority acceptance into society, but it did not end their abuse or discrimination. -
Geary Act
This act was put in place by California congressmen, Thomas Geary. It reinforced and extended the Chinese Exclusion Act. This act banned Chinese immigration for an additional 10 years (History.com Editors, 2018). It forced Chinese immigrants to carry certificates of residence so that people knew they were immigrants. If they were caught without their paperwork on them, they were either deported or sentenced to do hard labor (History.com Editors, 2018). -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy was arrested for sitting in a vacant seat in an all-white railway car. In this Supreme Court case, segregation of black people from white people was found constitutional. The court believed that "separate but equal" promoted equality. This court case ruled that racial segregation laws for public facilities were legal so long as they were equal in quality (History.com Editors, 2009).This ruling led to higher degrees of discrimination and rallies against segregation. -
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Executive Order 9066
President Roosevelt made an executive order during World War 2, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was his goal to stop espionage on American lands (History.com Editors, 2009). The policy demanded that Americans of Japanese decent be interred in isolated camps (History.com Editors, 2009). These Japanese internment camps affected the lives of thousands of Japanese, including Japanese American citizens. This order started a rise of "relocation" of Japanese individuals throughout the world. -
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The Civil Rights Movement
This was a span of time in which African Americans sought to gain equal rights under the law (History.com Editors, 2009). African Americans gained rights under the Constitution when they were freed from slavery, but even after this, they encountered prejudice and violence. Their inequality and abuse lasted for many years even though many protests and court cases came up that fought for equal rights. -
Brown vs.The Board of Education of Topeka
In this Supreme Court case, a black man filed a suit against the all-white school that denied his daughter entrance on account of her skin color. The court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This case established "separate but equal" as unconstitutional because it promoted inequality and because the facilities were not equal. This court case overturned the ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson and paved the way the civil rights movement (History.com Editors, 2009). -
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
This act authorized Alaska Natives to get several million acres of land in Alaska and cash payments from the U.S. as settlement of their claim to land in the state (Jones, 1981). The act allows the U.S. to determine where the Native American land boundaries will be. Amendments have been made to the act. It now allows veterans to obtain additional government land. This act was part of a series of laws that allow Native Americans to self-govern justly to preserve their culture. -
Plains Commerce Bank v Long Family Cattle Company
A non-Indian bank sold tribe land to non-tribe members. The Long couple was leasing that land and believed the bank was discriminating against them by offering the non-Indians a better deal on the land. The Supreme Court ruled that it was discriminatory behavior, a breach of contract, and bad faith to do so (FindLaw, n.d.). The couple was awarded damages plus interest and offered the chance the buy the portion of the land they occupied, nullifying the sale to the non-Indians (FindLaw, n.d.).
