With the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882; Chinese laborers became the first group in American history to be excluded from the United States on the basis of their race and class. This landmark law changed the course of U.S. immigration history; but we know little about its consequences for the Chinese in America or for the United States as a nation of immigrants. At America's Gates is the first book devoted entirely to both Chinese immigrants and the American immigration officials who sought to keep them out. Erika Lee explores how Chinese exclusion laws not only transformed Chinese American lives; immigration patterns; identities; and families but also recast the United States into a "gatekeeping nation." Immigrant identification; border enforcement; surveillance; and deportation policies were extended far beyond any controls that had existed in the United States before. Drawing on a rich trove of historical sources--including recently released immigration records; oral histories; interviews; and letters--Lee brings alive the forgotten journeys; secrets; hardships; and triumphs of Chinese immigrants. Her timely book exposes the legacy of Chinese exclusion in current American immigration control and race relations.
#764528 in Books Louis A Perez 1998Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.32 x .54 x 5.78l; .65 #File Name: 0807847429192 pagesThe War of 1898 The United States and Cuba in History and Historiography
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy anonymousgreat stuff16 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Important perspective of the war in Cuban 1898By A CustomerIn this well researched work; Mr. Perez examines the Cuban chapter of the War of 1898. (Historians now prefer 'War of 1898' instead of 'Spanish-American War' to avoid confussing the issues in Cuba and Philippeans which led to war.) He does this from a Cuba-centric point of view; a breath of fresh air for those sick of American ethonocentric views of history. Historically documents show the U.S.'s prime motive was preventing another European power from assuming colonial control of Cuba; hence having a power base close to America. History also clearly shows Cuba defeating the Spanish-- until the U.S. stormed in to 'help.'Those who like to live with blinders over their eyes and believe legends and myths about US Glory (i.e. the Rough Riders etc.) will not like this book. However; those who want the truth to be preserved instead of propaganda will enjoy. The book can be read quickly; but offers more than enough detailed information to be used as reference in scholarly writings.In light of a previous review I must add the book sticks to the revelant subject; not propaganda for Castro. Castro only gets mentioned on 3 of the last few pages. His revolution was against elites placed into power by the US in 1904. Perez simply restates that fact after explaing the process that turned control of Cuba to Cuba. Perez also leaves the Maine incident as mystery because IT IS A MYSTERY! There is nothing worse than a historian claiming unknowns as 100% fact-- it degrades the intellectual integerty of historial research. Perez explores each theory but leaves the final question unanswered.This book raised the standard for research into US involvement in Cuba from 1898-1904.4 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Another View of the "Splendid Little War"By CRTThis slender volume develops in greater detail Perez's thesis; advanced in his earlier work; Cuba Between Reform and Revolution;that the powers in Washington orchestrated the Spanish-American war; not to bring freedom to the Cubans; but to get control of this strategically located island. Basically; he asks "where are the Cubans in the American histories of the war?" He provides ample evidence that with rare exceptions; American historians have treated the Cuban insurrectionists as less than useless to the American effort; which although was not brilliant; was far less inept than the defensive efforts of the Spanish army.Perez provides evidence that the insurrectos were critical to the American campaign. Although the US military leaders at the time and some American historians have wondered why the Spanish failed to have defensive positions at the most likely landing points for the Americans; Perez points out that over 1500 insurrectos had secured these areas so that the Americans could land unopposed. Further; the relief column of 3750 men which set out on a 160 mile march to reinforce the Spanish garrison at Santiago de Cuba arrived too late and too exhausted to do any good. Why? Not because of Spanish sloth; but because throughout the course of its march; it was attacked; ambushed; and harassed by a much smaller Cuban force which delayed the column for the four days that saw the US forces overrun the Spanish positions at El Caney and San Juan.The author argues that the Cuban insurrection (which began in earnest in 1895) had already brought the Spanish army to the brink of defeat. In short; the Cubans had all but won their independence when the Americans appeared on the scene to "rescue" them.The Cubans were excluded from any of the negotiations for the surrender of Santiago; and were prohibited from entering the city. Spanish officials were kept in office pending the final peace settlement. General Shafter baldly informed the insurrecto commander; Calixio Garcia; that the war was between the USA and the Kingdom of Spain; and the surrender was made solely to the American army.So; according to Perez; the US went to war not to free the Cubans; but to realize ambitions going back to the days of Jefferson to gain control of the island. Reports of Spanish abuses; embellished and trumpeted by the press; outraged the public; so that by 1898; there was a popular desire to go to war. That the McKinley administration consciously but secretly manipulated this outrage to get a war on its terms;is asserted by Perez; but in my eyes; not proven. Certainly the sinking of the Maine was a god-send to the war party and made McKinley's path easier if his oft-stated reluctance to war was pure mendacity.At any rate; our selective recall of history and memory has contributed to creating a large gulf between Americans and Cubans. Believing that we spent treasure and blood to free these people; we cannot help thinking that the tumultuous years since 1898 have been years of Cuban ingratitude. It's time that the Cuban side of the story gets told; so that Americans and Cubans can share a common history about the events of 1898. Perez provides extensive notes; but no bibliography. A methodical; bibliographic essay focusing on how American historians have treated the war would have been most helpful.
