Closing The Gate: Race, Politics, And The Chinese Exclusion Act (Contention; 7)

Closing the Gate: Race, Politics, and the Chinese Exclusion Act (Contention; 7)

ReviewA fine book, well argued, well documented, and well written."Pacific Northwest Quarterly"Gyory's work is the first fresh, original interpretation of the origins of Chinese exclusion in quite some time.Lucy E. Salyer, University of New HampshireOne of the most noteworthy contributions in U.S. political history in years.Leon Fink, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"A fine book, well argued, well documented, and well written."Pacific Northwest Quarterly"""Gyory's work is the first fresh, original interpretation of the origins of Chinese exclusion in quite some time.Lucy E. Salyer, University of New Hampshire""One of the most noteworthy contributions in U.S. political history in years.Leon Fink, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"Gyory manages to provide an informative new study by combining extensive research with engaging prose."Choice"The most detailed account available of Chinese exclusion as a national issue."Journal of Interdisciplinary History"The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred practically allChinese from American shores for ten years, was the first federallaw that banned a group of immigrants solely on the basis of raceor nationality. By changing America's traditional policy of openimmigration, this landmark legislation set a precedent for futurerestrictions against Asian immigrants in the early 1900s andagainst Europeans in the 1920s.Tracing the origins of the Chinese Exclusion Act, AndrewGyory presents a bold new interpretation of American politicsduring Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. Rather than directlyconfront such divisive problems as class conflict, economicdepression, and rising unemployment, he contends, politicianssought a safe, nonideological solution to the nation's industrialcrisis--and latched onto Chinese exclusion. Ignoring workers'demands for an end simply to imported contract labor, theyclaimed instead that working people would be better off if therewere no Chinese immigrants. By playing the race card, Gyoryargues, national politicians--not California, not organizedlabor, and not a general racist atmosphere--provided the motiveforce behind the era's most racist legislation.ReviewGyory's work is the first fresh, original interpretation of the origins of Chinese exclusion in quite some time. It is an exciting study because he challenges the standard interpretations which have stood for years and become incorporated into the 'textbook' versions of American history.--Lucy E. Salyer, University of New HampshireFrom the Back CoverAnalyzes the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 from a national perspective. By playing the race card, national politicians?not California, not organized labor, and not a general racist atmosphere?were responsible for this law.About the AuthorAndrew Gyory holds a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Massachusetts. He lives in Maplewood, New Jersey.