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Importation of Slaves Banned
The United States Congress passed an act to “prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States…from any foreign kingdom, place, or country.” -
Federal Legislation
This was the first notable federal legislation on immigration. It included reporting immigrants and new rules for passengers from United States ports going to Europe. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict between the United States and England and France. When the war was over, immigration was brought to a complete stop as hostilities prevented transportation across the ocean. -
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Irish Potato Famine
The Irish Potato Famine drove Irish people of all classes to emigrate to the United States. About a million people emigrated from Ireland, and at least a million more died as a result of starvation from the potato blight. -
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The Dred Scott Decision
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney - a supporter of slavery - wrote the "majority opinion" for the court. It stated that because Scott was black, he was not a citizen and subsequently had no right to sue. The decision also declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820, legislation which restricted slavery in certain territories, unconstitutional. -
California Gold Rush
When James Marshall found gold in Sutter's Mill in California, the whole world went west to try and get some gold. Even immigrants were traveling to America just to get to the gold or even work for the gold. -
Taxing Immigrants
In the Passenger cases, the Supreme Court rules that state laws, for example, head taxes on incoming immigrantion are unconstitutional because only Congress has the power to regulate immigration under the commerce clause of the Constitution. -
Nativist/Know-Nothing Party Formed
The Nativist/Know-Nothing party were strong supporters of the anti-immigrant and especially anti-Roman Catholic movement that started to establish itself during the 1840s.
