Apentix/AP US History/Unit 6: Period 6 (1865-1898)/Question
AP US Historyhardmcq1 pt

Which of the following best accounts for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882?

A.National politics converged with western labor agitation: both parties courted California, and exclusion offered a politically safe response to depression-era racial scapegoating.
B.China requested the exclusion of its own emigrants.
C.The Supreme Court ordered Congress to act.
D.It was a clause buried in an unrelated tariff bill.

Explanation

Core Concept

After renegotiating the Burlingame Treaty to permit restriction, Congress faced heavy pressure from California's anti-Chinese movement. In a competitive election year, exclusion united western voters and passed with wide bipartisan support.

Correct Answer

ANational politics converged with western labor agitation: both parties courted California, and exclusion offered a politically safe response to depression-era racial scapegoating.

More Unit 6: Period 6 (1865-1898) practice questions

Try a random question →

Practice more AP US History questions with full explanations

Practice Unit 6: Period 6 (1865-1898) Questions →