Between 1880 and 1930, by what percentage did the Chinese population in the U.S. decline?

The significant decline in the Chinese population in the U.S. between 1880 and 1930 can be attributed to various sociopolitical factors, including restrictive immigration laws and rising anti-Chinese sentiment. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a critical piece of legislation that severely limited Chinese immigration and effectively halted the inflow of new immigrants from China. This act not only prohibited laborers from entering the U.S. but also affected the status of existing Chinese residents, leading to a substantial reduction in the population due to factors such as attrition, the inability to reunite families, and the economic impact of legal restrictions.

The figure of a 20% decline reflects a combination of these societal challenges and is consistent with historical data that records a downward trend in the Chinese population during this era. Understanding this context highlights the impact of legislative measures on demographic changes and the experiences of minority groups in the U.S., shaping the narrative of immigration and cultural integration in American history.