An Act To Prohibit "The Coolie Trade"

 On February 19th, 1869, Abraham Lincoln helped make the Act to prohibit "the Coolie trade" in America. 


"SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act hereinbefore contained shall be deemed or construed to apply to or affect any free and voluntary emigration of any Chinese subject..."

Although this act seems good in nature to end the exploitation of "coolie" laborers, it was almost impossible to tell a "coolie" from a harmless Asian immigrant. This act meant to help Asian laborers made way to the Chinese Exclusion Act which banned all Chinese immigrants altogether.


Chinese Exclusion Act

This act was a federal law instated by President Chester Arther on May 6, 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers for the next ten years. This act was created after years of turmoil and the growing of anti-Chinese sentiment. 


After being used and exploited for cheap labor similar to slave work, Asian laborers were now prohibited. 

Look at the similarities between these two comic images:


From originally "welcoming" to spiteful...

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