19 TH CENTURY CHINESE IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA – PART I

Why is the Chinese-American experience important? China is the largest country in the world – Billion people China is a rising economic and political superpower According to the 2010 census 3.8 million Americans are of Chinese descent (Pew Research Center) Chinese-Americans are better educated and earn higher incomes than average Chinese-Americans have made valuable contributions to both California and America as a whole

Two Waves of Chinese Immigration to the United States 1850s – 1880s 1970s – until the present 1850s – 1880s the vast majority of immigrants came from the Guangdong (Canton) province in Southern China

PUSH FACTORS

Natural Disasters Flood Famine The Pearl River flows through Guangdong Province Major population centers are located on its delta

Stagnate Economic Growth China’s economy grew throughout the 18 th and 19 th centuries but only enough to maintain existing living standards, not enough to improve them. The son of a typical Chinese farmer or craftsman could only aspire to live as well as his father, not better Chinese inheritance tradition Property divided among sons Farms became smaller and smaller and less profitable

The Opium Wars There was a high demand for Chinese products in Europe, but the Chinese would only engage in limited trade British import opium into China in an effort to force the Chinese to trade Opium is highly addictive Addiction assured that continual demand for British opium and consequently forced the Chinese to trade

Europeans and Americans wanted Chinese porcelain, tea, and silk. The Chinese were not interested in Western products

The Chinese government attempts to outlaw opium and destroyed British opium War breaks out Chinese are forced to open up to Western trade Out flow of silver caused economic problems Importation of foreign good depressed local industry

Taiping Rebellion Religious/Political revolt against the Imperial government Inspired by Christianity Leaders sought equality and social reform Hong Xiuquan the founder of the rebellion had visions that led him to believe he was the younger son of Jesus

Rebels controlled most of Southern China The Chinese Imperial forces ultimately defeat the rebels with European help Death toll 20 – 30 million (Casualties greater than WWI)

PULL FACTORS

The Gold Rush News of the discovery of Gold in California in 1849 spread worldwide 325 Forty-Niners came to what the Chinese called Gam Saan, “Gold Mountain” 20,026 arrive by the end 1852

The Chinese were successful at extracting gold from claims that Americans had abandoned Chinese worked cooperatively whereas white miners worked by themselves Chinese success brought resentment 1852 California Foreign Miner’s Tax Chinese were required to pay $3 each month, about half of their earnings Tax collectors could take their personal property if they could not pay

The Transcontinental Railroad In February of 1865 the Central Pacific Railroad hired 50 Chinese workers They proved to exceptionally hard working During the peak of construction the Central Pacific Railroad employed 12,000 Chinese workers – 90% of the workforce

The Chinese worked with explosives and picks and shovels most notably laying track through California and Nevada and carving out tunnels over the Sierra Nevada Mountains

The tunnels and track laid by the Chinese is still functioning today

Why Chinese workers? The work was difficult The largely Irish immigrant workforce drank heavily and quit in large numbers The Chinese were hard working, did not argue, and did not quit They accepted less pay than the Irish Irish - $35 per month plus free board Chinese - $30 minus the cost of food and board The Chinese ate better, bathed more frequently, and were consequently healthier