Immigration, from the start, has played a pivotal role in the creation of America. Indeed, it was by immigrants that this country was first founded.
1885- Congress votes to place a ban on contracted labor. This was passed mostly to assuage concerns by organized laborers, but was not often enforced.
1885-1886- Anti-Chinese riots in Seattle
1886- the Statue Of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor, New York.
Hull House opens in Chicago, Illinois.
1887- The American Protective Association if Founded by Henry Bowers. An Anti-Catholic organization that appealed to white Midwestern farmers, the APA was a powerful player behind The Know-Nothing Party of the 1850's and The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920's.
1890- Wisconsin votes to pass the Bennett Law, which required public schools to teach English for at least 16 weeks a year.
1891- Congress votes to restrict the immigration of "All idiots, insane persons, paupers or persons likely to become a public charge, persons suffering from a contagious or loathsome disease, persons who have been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and polygamists."
1892- The Federal Government opens a new immigration reception center on Ellis island in New York Harbor. Approximately 12 million immigrants passed through this center in 40 years.
1898- Spanish-American War
1901- President William McKinley is assassinated by a young Polish-American.
1903- Congress passes the Anarchist Exclusion Act, in response to the assassination of President McKinley. This begins the exclusion of prospective immigrants based on political leanings.
1907-1908- President Theodore Roosevelt negotiates the Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan. Japan stopped issuing passports to workers who want to travel to America.
1908- Israel Zangwill's play The Melting Pot Opens in New York City. It is the first open assertion that the United States is a Melting Pot.
1910- Mexican Revolution forces thousands of Mexicans over the border. Over 20 years, nearly 1 million Mexican immigrants enter America looking for work.
1885-1886- Anti-Chinese riots in Seattle
1886- the Statue Of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor, New York.
Hull House opens in Chicago, Illinois.
1887- The American Protective Association if Founded by Henry Bowers. An Anti-Catholic organization that appealed to white Midwestern farmers, the APA was a powerful player behind The Know-Nothing Party of the 1850's and The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920's.
1890- Wisconsin votes to pass the Bennett Law, which required public schools to teach English for at least 16 weeks a year.
1891- Congress votes to restrict the immigration of "All idiots, insane persons, paupers or persons likely to become a public charge, persons suffering from a contagious or loathsome disease, persons who have been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and polygamists."
1892- The Federal Government opens a new immigration reception center on Ellis island in New York Harbor. Approximately 12 million immigrants passed through this center in 40 years.
1898- Spanish-American War
1901- President William McKinley is assassinated by a young Polish-American.
1903- Congress passes the Anarchist Exclusion Act, in response to the assassination of President McKinley. This begins the exclusion of prospective immigrants based on political leanings.
1907-1908- President Theodore Roosevelt negotiates the Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan. Japan stopped issuing passports to workers who want to travel to America.
1908- Israel Zangwill's play The Melting Pot Opens in New York City. It is the first open assertion that the United States is a Melting Pot.
1910- Mexican Revolution forces thousands of Mexicans over the border. Over 20 years, nearly 1 million Mexican immigrants enter America looking for work.