The “Gentlemen’s Agreement”
Chinese immigration Itinerant workers The “yellow peril” Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Japanese immigration-- reasons Meiji Era ( ) political economic social changes
The passage Labor contractors Steamers
Work Groups (lower wage) Mining, agriculture, railroads
The “yellow peril” Social attitudes toward Asians, esp. on the West Coast. Driving down wages, buying “prime” land, populating
Calls to stop immigration The Sons of the Golden West, the Anti- Asiatic League, American Legion Hostility toward “picture brides” and calls to ban Japanese, cir
Japan in the world Industrialization Sino-Japanese War 1895 Russo-Japanese War 1905
Teddy Roosevelt Fear of armed conflict (Former assistant Secretary of Navy) Economic incentives (“Open Door” Policy in China) Personal affinity
Annoyed with California They cannot behave worse than the State of California, through its Legislature, is now behaving toward the Japanese.... and at the same time.... they expect to be given advantages in Oriental markets; and with besotted folly are indifferent to building up the navy while provoking this formidable new power—a power jealous, sensitive and warlike, and which if irritated could at once take both the Philippines and Hawaii from us if she obtained the upper hand on the seas. Most certainly the Japanese soldiers and sailors have shown themselves to be terrible foes. There can be none more dangerous in all the world. But our own navy is respectable in numbers and more than respectable in the efficiency of its units. If we act thus we need not fear the Japanese.... In any event we can hold our own in the future….only if we occupy the position of the just man armed…
Terms of the agreement Japan to prevent laborers from leaving. Two types of visas Hawaii
Execution of GA Japanese Association of America Administrative tasks Lifestyle campaigns
Discriminatory legislation Alien Land Law, 1913 “Picture bride” ban, 1920 Perception of the G.A. not working
Exclusion Act of 1924