The Chinese in America

The 1800’s Although the first Chinese to arrive in America were sailors and merchants who came to New York in the early 1800’s, the first wave of Chinese immigrants to stay sought wealth and opportunity. They hoped for fortune at “Gum San” (the Gold Mountain), as did many others during the California Gold Rush of the mid 19th century.

Anti-Chinese Movement As more Chinese arrived, anti-Chinese sentiment grew. In the 1850’s new laws in California prohibited the Chinese from working in the gold fields. Although the immigrants found other employment in areas such as mining, agriculture, and industry, this was only the first of many laws that would destroy the new Chinese culture in America. Despite institutionalized (legal) discrimination, riots as well as much media campaigned against Chinese-Americans. The Anti-Chinese Movement generally stemmed from a distrust of a very different culture and a perceived threat to America and “real” Americans. Anti-Chinese sentiment culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 Watershed event in American history First time a specific group was deemed undesirable for immigration Opposed a former open immigration policy Although eventually repealed in 1943, it did considerable damage to Chinese communities by destroying families and undermining the importance of family in Chinese culture.

Why did people fear and distrust the new immigrants? Appearance Customs Religion Fear of change Unassimilated

Thomas Nast Political cartoonist whose work appeared in Harper’s Weekly, a publication that frequently addressed the Anti-Chinese Movement. His work depicted the conditions under which the Chinese suffered and criticized the unfair treatment. Nast created “John Chinaman,” a caricature sympathetic to the plight of Chinese-Americans. “The Chinese Question” at left depicted Columbia protecting John Chinaman from native attackers.

Tides of Change Finally in 1943, because China became an ally during World War II, the exclusion laws the Magnuson Act repealed the exclusion laws. However, the new policy restricted the number of Chinese immigrants to 105 annually. Anti-Chinese immigration policy resulted in “bachelor communities” in the early 20th Century. The Immigration Act of 1965 allowed for an equality of quotas. Consequently, the numbers of Asians, including Chinese, greatly increased. By the end of the 20th Century, there was an estimated 2.3 million Chinese-Americans.

Chinese-American Life Despite the effects of restrictive immigration policy on family life, the importance of family continues to dominant Chinese-American life. Initially, Chinese immigrants often were “herded” into Chinatowns, and subsequently accused of refusing to assimilate to American (white) life. Changes in policy, social factors, and generational assimilation have contributed to Chinese-Americans being recognized as part of mainstream American culture.