Asian Americans & Indigenous Peoples (1930–1945)

Time Period

1930
–1945

Thesis

Both Asian Americans and Indigenous Peoples faced persistent discrimination but began to see small changes through cultural resilience, legal reforms, and wartime participation.

Asian American Social Marginalization (1930s)

Restricted by Immigration Act of 1924; segregation in schools/jobs; seen as "alien citizens" (Mae Ngai).

Indigenous Social Marginalization (1930s)

Boarding schools erased languages/traditions; schools "civilize by erasing identity" (Frederick Hoxie).

Cultural Resilience

Asian Americans created Chinatowns; Indigenous Peoples revived spiritual and language practices.

Asian American Economy (Great Depression)

Low-paying jobs, excluded from unions and skilled professions; relied on community networks and small businesses.

Indigenous Economy (Great Depression)

Extreme poverty on reservations; Indian Reorganization Act (1934) restored some land and allowed limited self-government (Colin Calloway).

Legal Changes for Indigenous Peoples

Tribal councils, partial self-rule through Indian Reorganization Act; John Collier called it a "new deal for the Indian."

Legal Challenges for Asian Americans

Restricted citizenship and alien land laws; slow improvement in perception due to war alliances (Erika Lee).

Asian Americans in WWII

Over 18,000 served; women worked as nurses, translators, and factory laborers; viewed as national contributors (Erika Lee).

Indigenous Peoples in WWII

25,000 soldiers served; Navajo Code Talkers symbolized patriotism and sovereignty (Alison Bernstein).

Historical Significance

Continuity in discrimination, beginnings of recognition, and foundation for postwar civil rights movements.

Mae Ngai

Describes Asian Americans as "alien citizens," meaning they could live in the U.S. but were never fully accepted.

Frederick Hoxie

Argues that Indigenous boarding schools "civilize by erasing identity," showing how government policies suppressed Native culture.

Colin Calloway

Notes that the Indian Reorganization Act (1934) was "a step toward autonomy" for Indigenous communities.

John Collier

Key figure behind Indian Reorganization Act; called it a "new deal for the Indian," promoting tribal unity and reform.

Erika Lee

Explains that wartime alliances improved perception of Chinese Americans, but legal inequality remained.

Alison Bernstein

States that Native service in WWII, including Navajo Code Talkers, symbolized both patriotism and the fight for sovereignty.