Asiatic Barred Zone

Definition

The Asiatic Barred Zone was a term used in U.S. immigration policy that specifically restricted immigration from certain Asian countries, effectively barring individuals from these areas during the early 20th century. This zone included nations such as China, Japan, India, and others, reflecting the racial and ethnic prejudices of the time. The policy aimed to limit the influx of non-European immigrants, shaping the demographic landscape of the United States and reinforcing systemic racism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Asiatic Barred Zone was formally established in the Immigration Act of 1917, which aimed to control immigration from specific geographic areas deemed undesirable.
2. The policy reflected widespread xenophobia and racism prevalent in American society, which targeted Asian immigrants as unassimilable and a threat to American values.
3. The Asiatic Barred Zone contributed to the significant decrease in Asian immigration to the United States during the early 20th century, leading to demographic shifts in immigrant populations.
4. Many immigrants from countries within the Asiatic Barred Zone were often denied entry based on perceived racial inferiority, which was reinforced by pseudo-scientific theories of race at the time.
5. The restrictions imposed by the Asiatic Barred Zone remained in place until significant changes in immigration laws occurred in the mid-20th century, particularly with the civil rights movement.

Review Questions

• How did the Asiatic Barred Zone influence U.S. immigration patterns during the early 20th century?
  • The Asiatic Barred Zone significantly influenced U.S. immigration patterns by severely limiting the number of immigrants from various Asian countries. This restriction led to a notable decrease in Asian populations within the United States and reinforced racial hierarchies that privileged European immigrants. As a result, many communities that would have otherwise flourished were unable to establish themselves due to these discriminatory policies.
• Discuss how the establishment of the Asiatic Barred Zone reflects broader societal attitudes toward race and immigration in early 20th-century America.
  • The establishment of the Asiatic Barred Zone reflects broader societal attitudes of racism and xenophobia that permeated early 20th-century America. It showcased a prevailing belief that non-European immigrants were inferior and unable to assimilate into American culture. This mindset not only justified discriminatory immigration policies but also highlighted systemic inequalities that marginalized entire racial and ethnic groups, influencing public sentiment and policy for decades.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Asiatic Barred Zone on Asian immigrant communities in the U.S. and subsequent immigration legislation.
  • The long-term impacts of the Asiatic Barred Zone on Asian immigrant communities were profound, leading to a legacy of exclusion that lasted for generations. It not only limited immediate immigration but also shaped public perceptions about Asian communities, contributing to social stigmas and barriers. The eventual repeal of such restrictive laws in later years resulted from civil rights advocacy but also brought renewed challenges for assimilation and acceptance within a society still grappling with its racial history.

Related terms

Chinese Exclusion Act:

A federal law enacted in 1882 that prohibited all Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States, marking the first significant law to restrict immigration based on nationality.

Immigration Act of 1924:

A law that established quotas based on national origins, effectively limiting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe and prohibiting immigration from Asia.

Quota System: A method of limiting immigration by establishing a maximum number of individuals who could enter a country from each nationality or region.