PARTNER

OBJECT ID

ddr-densho-25-92 (Legacy UID: denshopd-p25-00092)

PARENT COLLECTION

Yamada Collection

DESCRIPTION

This agreement to lease land was signed by A. J. Charleston and Matahichi Iseri. In the early 1900s, many states, led by California, enacted alien land laws. These laws aimed at Issei farmers prevented ownership of land by "aliens ineligible for citizenship." As a result, many Issei leased land from white farmers. In 1920, California enacted a stricter law that barred Japanese nationals from leasing land as well. Although these laws remained in effect until after World War II, many Japanese immigrants found ways to circumvent them and continued to farm.

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of the Yamada Family Collection

RIGHTS