What did the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 achieve?

• A. Allowed Chinese laborers to immigrate freely
• B. Prohibited all immigration from China
• C. Deny any additional Chinese laborers entry while allowing students and merchants
• D. Facilitated Chinese immigration to the U.S. for labor jobs

Answer: (C)

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a significant piece of legislation in U.S. history, as it marked the first time the federal government implemented significant restrictions on a specific national group. The act was designed to address the growing concerns about the influx of Chinese laborers into the United States, particularly in the western states.

By allowing certain categories of Chinese individuals, such as students and merchants, to enter the country while prohibiting additional Chinese laborers, the act sought to limit immigration from China without completely barring all Chinese individuals. This reflected the prevailing attitudes of the time, where there was a strong sentiment against Chinese immigrants, attributed to economic competition and racial prejudice.

This nuanced approach allowed for some Chinese presence in the U.S. for commercial and educational purposes while attempting to reduce the number of laborers entering the job market, responding to fears that they would take jobs away from American workers. Thus, the Chinese Exclusion Act did not achieve a blanket ban on all Chinese immigration but rather established restricted terms under which some individuals could enter, making this option the correct choice.