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Chinese Exclusion Act: Primary Documents in American History

Digital Collections

The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of primary source materials associated with the Chinese Exclusion Act, including manuscripts, books, newspaper articles, government documents, and broadsides. Provided below is a link to the home page for each relevant digital collection along with selected highlights.

Books

Congressional Publications

This collection contains congressional publications, including debates, bills, laws, and journals from 1789 to the present. Search the Congressional Record between February 20 and May 2, 1882, to find House and Senate debate related to the Chinese Exclusion Act .

Films

A selection of highlights includes:

Historic Newspapers

A selection of highlights includes:

In addition, the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room has created a series of topics guides to the newspapers included in Chronicling America, including a guide on the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Meeting of Frontiers

A selection of highlights includes:

Teachers Page

Today in History