Speech #1140029805

Unfortunately. the goodwill of Lincoln faded in just one generation. The plundering of Chinese port cities by European competitors changed how Americans began to view China. The flood of Chinese immigrants to California became an easy target for any setback on its economic ascent. Equals were now called coolies. Racism reached such a height that in 1882 the United States Congressthis bodypassed and the President signed the first ever act that excluded a specific race on immigration. We did not even make any pretense about it. calling it the Chinese Exclusion Act. The provisions remained in effect for nearly 60 years. As these events played out.