Remembering 1882: Fighting for Civil Rights in the Shadow of the Chinese Exclusion Act

Website.
Primary documents, historical background, and more on the Chinese Exclusion Act and the history of Chinese American struggles for civil rights.

Time Periods: 19th Century

Themes: Asian American, Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Immigration, Racism & Racial Identity

The Chinese Historical Society of America’s (CHSA) “Remembering 1882” project offers resources for educators on the Chinese Exclusion Act drawn from photographs, paper commentaries, political cartoons, and other objects as well as an exploration of the impacts and legacies of the Exclusion laws.

The CHSA host website, Civil Rights Suite: Exploring the History of the Chinese American Fight for Equality, offers two other microsites:

“The Chinese of California” explores the complex history and unique challenges of Chinese Americans in their fight for civil rights.
“To Enjoy and Defend Our American Citizenship” explores the experiences of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in their groundbreaking work alongside groups such as the NAACP to challenge discriminatory laws and create the support systems necessary for survival in a segregated United States.

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