The main reason for Chinese immigration to America, was the same as most other foreign countries: more economic opportunity. The California gold rush began in 1849; around the same time that Chinese immigrants began coming to America. A majority of these immigrants were miners or contracted laborers coming to seek a fortune. There was widespread segregation, and Chinese immigrants lived in ghettos called Chinatowns. There was heavy immigration to the west coast of America during the gold rush, and afterwards, most Chinese immigrants worked as agricultural laborers, factory workers, or on railroad construction crews. Some 15,000 Chinese laborers worked on railroad construction alone. They were largely responsible for the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Chinese merchants ran business associations known as tongs. These were groups of Chinese merchants working together to control a certain trade in a city. As the Chinese population increased, so did white American disfavor. The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882 by Congress, and it prohibited Chinese migration to America. Very few Chinese were allowed in to America for a long period of time, and those that already had residence here were pressured by other racial groups to keep away from them. This Chinese immigrant ban grew to such a degree that the Angel Island immigration station was erected in 1910. Angel Island was in charge of investigating Chinese people that might be violating the terms of the Exclusion Act. The doors of America were re-opened in 1943.
Terms
Sojourners- Sojourners were poor male Chinese peasants that hoped to earn money in America, and then return wealthy to their family in China. Many had to repay travel loans that took 3 years or more
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882- In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act that prohibited Chinese from coming to America for nearly a century.
Angel Island- An immigration station that acted more like a detention camp was erected at Angel Island to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act. Any Chinese considered suspicious were detained at this "station" from weeks to years. All occupants would be interogated and many were deported.
Chinatowns- Chinatowns were segregate ghettos for the Chinese Americans to live in. They were often located on the outskirts of major towns and cities, or in rural areas.
Tongs- Tongs were Chinese merchant associations. Their headquarters were located in San Fransisco
Coolie- Coolies were laborers that had contracts with conditions close to specifying them as slaves or indentured servants.
Paper-sons- Many immigrants forged papers saying that they were
sons or daughters of Chinese Americans so they could enter America while
the Chinese Exclusion Act was in effect.
Questions
1. Where did the first anti-Chinese riots break out?
2. After the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed, what three types of Chinese immigrants were the only ones allowed in?
3. What impact did Chinese culture have in America?
4. Who is Ah Quin and why is he an important figure?
5. What was traditional Chinese attire for a man?
6. What two large contributions did the Chinese immigrants make?