Article, Primary Source Asian Immigration & Laws
- Grade Level 3rd-5th Grade
- Time Period Late 1800s - Early 1900s
Introduction
This lesson explores the impact of immigration laws, particularly the Chinese Exclusion Act, on Asian immigrants to the United States. Students will examine how these laws shaped the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and consider the broader history of immigration and its effects on communities.
LESSON PLANS
Reimagining Migration: Lesson "Chinese Exclusion Act 1882": A lesson focused on the Chinese Exclusion Act, detailing its historical context and significance for Chinese immigrants during the late-1800s and early-1900s. (Requires creation of a free log-in)
New-York Historical Society: Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 & Edith Maude Eaton: A lesson plan that includes a teaching guide and slide deck focused on the Chinese Exclusion Act.
RESOURCES
Ancestors in the Americas: Asian American History Timeline
Center for Global Ed: “Asian Americans Then and Now” History of Asian Immigration
Essential Questions
How have laws historically affected immigration to what is now the United States?
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act, and why should we study it?
What was the experience like of Chinese immigrants in the United States during the late-1800s and early-1900s?