Lesson #6 - Chinese Exclusion Act

Lesson Plan 6: The Chinese Exclusion Act

Lesson Objectives:

1.     Analyze the causes and consequences of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

2.     Understand how the act institutionalized racial discrimination in U.S. immigration policy.

3.     Draw parallels to contemporary debates on immigration and xenophobia.

Materials:

·   Text of the Chinese Exclusion Act (primary source).

·   Political cartoons and photographs from the era.

·   Excerpts from Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans by Jean Pfaelzer.

·   Infographic comparing Chinese immigration before and after the Act.

Lesson Outline:

1. Warm-Up (10 minutes):

·   Display a political cartoon from the late 1800s illustrating anti-Chinese sentiment.

·   Prompt students: “What stereotypes or biases are being portrayed? How might these images influence public opinion?”

·   Facilitate a brief discussion.

2. Direct Instruction (20 minutes):

·   Provide historical context on Chinese immigration during the 19th century, focusing on labor contributions (e.g., railroads, mining) and growing anti-Chinese sentiment.

·   Explain the key provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act and its implications for Chinese immigrants and their families.

·   Highlight how this act set a precedent for future restrictive immigration policies.

3. Document Analysis (15 minutes):

·   Distribute excerpts from the Act and related historical documents.

·   In small groups, analyze:

o   Language used to justify exclusion.

o   The societal fears reflected in the legislation.

4. Group Activity (20 minutes):

·   Create a timeline of key events leading to and following the Chinese Exclusion Act.

·   Groups discuss:

o   “How did this act impact Chinese immigrants and their descendants?”

o   “What parallels can we draw to modern immigration policies?”

5. Closure and Reflection (10 minutes):

·   Writing prompt: “How does understanding historical immigration policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act help us address current issues of xenophobia and racism?”

·   Discuss reflections as a class.