This volume explores the complex and often controversial interactions between Chinese immigrants and Western society, particularly in the United States. It highlights the American response during the construction of the transcontinental railroad, marked by exploitation and subsequent restrictive immigration laws. Starting with the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, this legislative journey included the 1892 Geary Act, escalating restrictions until President Truman's 1943 repeal of exclusion acts. However, significant change only came with the Immigration Act of 1965, which lifted exclusionary policies. The book delves into the historical, societal, and legislative landscape of this tumultuous period.
