What term refers to the discriminatory attitudes that influenced the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

The term that refers to the discriminatory attitudes influencing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is nativism. Nativism is characterized by a preference for the interests of native-born or established inhabitants over those of immigrants. This attitude often manifests in a fear or hostility towards foreign cultures and peoples, which was notably directed against Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century. The Chinese Exclusion Act was one of the first significant laws in the United States to restrict immigration based on ethnicity, specifically targeting the Chinese due to nativist sentiment that perceived them as a threat to American labor and cultural identity.

In contrast, nationalism focuses on promoting the interests of a particular nation, often emphasizing national pride and unity, but does not inherently include the discriminatory motives present in nativism. Populism primarily relates to political movements that strive to represent the interests of the common people, typically against entrenched elites. Isolationism describes a foreign policy stance of avoiding involvement in international affairs and does not directly pertain to internal attitudes toward immigrants. Thus, nativism is the concept that best captures the discriminatory mindset underpinning the Chinese Exclusion Act.