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The dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act - Robert Chang

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TEDEd Animation

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In 1882, the United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first federal law that restricted immigration based explicitly on nationality. In practice, the Act banned entry to all ethnically Chinese immigrants besides diplomats, and prohibited existing immigrants from obtaining citizenship. Robert Chang details the lasting impact the Act had on immigrant rights and freedoms.

When Chinese immigrants first came to the U.S., in what industries did they work?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Robert Chang
  • Director Mohammad Babakoohi, Yijia Cao
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Mohammad Babakoohi
  • Animator Mohammad Babakoohi, Elahe Baloochi

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