However at the start of the twentieth century, xenophobia was already permeating in the American society. European immigrants who made up the majority of the now known American citizens population, they were the only ones with a right to American citizenship. Prior to 1924, they had passed legislation restricting the entry of immigrants from Asia to 3 of the total population as at the 1910 census figure. This was not to be good enough for them.
So in 1924, in addition to all the bottlenecks they had already put in place, the quotas by which the numbers were to be calculated by was revised to be the 1890 population census. This reduced the number even further considering the percentage was reduced from 3 to 2. Even more discriminative was the declaration of the fact that Asians did not have the right to claim American citizenship even if they wanted. This was especially unfair to the ones who were already residents in the United States. Some had even married American girls. They were grouped together in an Asiatic barred group.
With America entering the Second World War, the dynamics of the Asian communities changed. Previously America having being the colonizing power of Philippines felt its interest were adequately served and protected. With the Japan literally taking over the whole of the Eastern Asia, America came to a realization that it needed allies in Asia urgently. It could not fight in the Asian front of the war alone.
In an effort to get the Chinese on their side, the restrictions on the Chinese gaining American citizenship were removed in 1943 December. This was a major climb down considering only a few years ago America as busy putting the Chinese down. America was trying desperately trying to face save to a nation it previously it had not time or use for. All over a sudden Americans were falling all over themselves to make the Asians feel welcome and part of the American dream.
With Asians joining the army in great numbers, there was an outburst of patriotism among all fighting for the American flag. The only exceptions were the Japanese Americans. These unfortunately, were rounded up and hauled to detention camps in American heartland. There hatred of Japanese people came to a boil after Pearl Harbor.
With the encouragement of Asians to seek citizenship, they were granted Naturalization Rights in 1946. All this was happening during the war. Thus Takakis assertion that World War II was a Watershed in the history of Asian Americans is true. WWII made Asians to be viewed as people.
The Filipino, Korean, Indian and Chinese had their fortunes change positively in the American nation as a result of World War II. Where before they were viewed with suspicion and as second class citizens, they were now been sought after. They were being made to feel more welcome and at home. World War II unfortunately brought a reversal of fortunes for Japanese Americans.
Even those who did not support Japan were not spared. Where before there existed a gentlemans agreement of none restriction of Japanese immigration quotas, they were in fact banned from seeking immigration in America. Previously the gentlemans agreement had existed since the Japanese in themselves had very strict requirement and rules on potential immigrants to America. Japan did not allow its citizens to easily immigrate to other countries, leave alone America (Asian, 2008).
For the Asian Americans, the Second World War was a blessing to them. It entrenched them in the American society. Although there were discriminative laws even after the Second World War, their life generally improved. Not all things were achieved then but the foundations laid then, were used for changes to be effected in the American society later. These changes were to be the watershed for the Civil Rights movement in America. They also resulted in America having its first Non European immigrant become a member of the United States Congress in 1956.
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