TOPIC:

Students will be able to:

  • Explain details about the consequences of the Chinese Exclusion Acts, i.e., what it said about citizenship and about leaving the U.S. and returning.
  • Describe the processes at Angel Island to determine if someone was eligible for entry into the U.S.
  • Explain how and why the exclusion laws ended during World War II and what possibilities that meant for future immigrants from Asia.

INTRODUCTION

The story of “Lola Gong” is shown here as a photo essay where students will be engaging with a series of photos chronicling Lola’s path to American citizenship with twists and surprises along the way. As students follow her journey, they will learn what the Chinese Exclusion Act meant in real terms: how Chinese and other Asians entered the U.S. through Angel Island, some as “Paper Daughters” or “Paper Sons”; why they were required to carry certificates of residence; and what consequences immigrants faced during the exclusion era.

The photos are to be used as a slideshow where the presentation will be paused at each slide for analysis and reflection. As the slideshow progresses, students will create a narrative using prompts to tell Lola’s story.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

  • What were some of the consequences of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?
  • What was the immigrant experience like for those arriving on Angel Island?