Final answer:
Americans likely laughed at Wong Ming Chung and Uncle because of the racism and stereotyping that was rampant during that time, influenced by the Chinese Exclusion Act and the belief in American superiority.
Step-by-step explanation:
Americans may have laughed at Wong Ming Chung and Uncle when they registered their claim due to prevalent racism and stereotyping of Chinese immigrants during the era. This behavior reflects the deep-seated prejudices and the view that Chinese immigrants were inferior or alien compared to the dominant Euro-American culture. The mockery could have also been influenced by the pervasive belief in the Chinese Exclusion Act which institutionalized discrimination against Chinese persons, seeing them as unworthy or incapable of engaging in activities such as registering a claim which was considered a right usually reserved for Americans or Europeans at the time.
Historical context such as the political cartoons of the era, as well as Senator Albert J. Beveridge's remarks regarding the 'chosen' status of Americans, contribute to understanding why such discrimination and ridicule took place. This belief in American superiority justified the exploitation and exclusion of other races, particularly in the context of imperial ambitions in territories like the Philippines and trade interests in Asia, as seen with the Open Door Policy in China. The consequences of stereotypes and the concept of 'paper sons' created a complex relationship between Chinese immigrants and American society in the early 20th century, shaping interactions such as the one experienced by Wong Ming Chung and Uncle.