Question

Using Source 1, which statement best explains a reason for the antagonism between Chinese immigrants and native-born Americans in the late 1800s?


A. White Americans felt economically threatened by immigrant workers from China.


B. The outbreak of smallpox in Chinese communities led to an increase in anti-Chinese sentiment.


C. Native-born American workers formed organizations to lobby against the construction of the transcontinental railroad.


D. Tensions between the groups erupted into widespread violence that resulted in hundreds of death.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. White Americans felt economically threatened by the immigrant workers from China is the correct answer.

Explanation:

The Chinese people faced racism and discrimination since they first arrived in US during Gold Rush and legislations were used against them. The first such legislation was the Foreign Miner License Tax Law enacted in 1850. They were categorized with Blacks and Indians and were denied the right to testify against white men. The hostilities heightened against the Chinese during the economic downturn of 1870's because labor union leaders considered them to be responsible for unemployment and depression in wages. They also used to consider them morally corrupt. Due to these hostilities local and statewide restrictions were enforced against them and they were permanently barred from entering united states by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.