HILD 7B – Race and Ethnicity in the US (WI26) Midterm Study Guide

Flashcards covering key terms from the HILD 7B midterm study guide, focusing on race and ethnicity in the U.S.

Nation of Immigrants

A concept that views the United States as a country built by immigrants from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the significance of immigration in shaping American identity.

Orientalism

A term used to describe the Western portrayal of Eastern cultures, often characterized by stereotypes and misconceptions, impacting how these cultures are perceived in the West.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

A federal law that prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States, reflecting the racial discrimination against Chinese immigrants.

Whiteness as property

The idea that being white in the U.S. provides economic and social privileges that are often legally protected and valued.

The People v Hall (1854)

A landmark case in California that ruled that Chinese immigrants could not testify in court against white citizens, illustrating the legal marginalization of non-white individuals.

US v. Wong Kim Ark (1898)

Supreme Court case that affirmed the right to citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil, including the children of immigrants, reinforcing the principle of birthright citizenship.

California Alien Land Law of 1913

Legislation aimed at restricting land ownership to American citizens and preventing Japanese immigrants from purchasing land.

Migrant labor system

A labor system where individuals move from one region to another to work, often seen in agricultural sectors, significantly impacting labor practices in the U.S.

Benevolent Assimilation

A policy used by the United States to justify its colonization of the Philippines, framed as a positive influence on the local population.

American Anti-Imperialist League

An organization formed in opposition to U.S. imperialism, particularly in the Philippines, reflecting dissent against expansionist policies.

Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934

A law that established a ten-year transition to independence for the Philippines, marking a significant change in U.S. relations with the archipelago.

Eugenics movement

A social philosophy advocating for the improvement of human genetic qualities, which impacted immigration laws and policies in the early 20th century.