Immigration from Asia Today’s LEQ: What factors influenced Asian immigration and settlement?

Immigrants Arrive from China Thousands helped build the Transcontinental Railroad Thousands helped build the Transcontinental Railroad Thousands more joined prospectors in the West searching for gold Thousands more joined prospectors in the West searching for gold The Chinese referred to California as “Gold Mountain” The Chinese referred to California as “Gold Mountain”

Immigrants Arrive from China Most Chinese immigrants were men Most Chinese immigrants were men –They expected to work hard and return home rich but usually ended up staying in the U.S. They found jobs mining, working in construction, and in agriculture They found jobs mining, working in construction, and in agriculture Earned the reputation as reliable, steady workers Earned the reputation as reliable, steady workers

Reaction to Chinese Immigrants Many businesses preferred hiring the Chinese Many businesses preferred hiring the Chinese –They were willing to do the “stoop labor” white men refused to do –Accepted lower pay Friction developed between working- class whites and Chinese immigrants Friction developed between working- class whites and Chinese immigrants

Reaction to Chinese Immigrants During the 1870s, a depression and drought devastated California’s economy and Chinese workers were blamed During the 1870s, a depression and drought devastated California’s economy and Chinese workers were blamed –Easy target –Looked different from white Americans –Different language, religion, and other cultural traits Viewed as inferior people who could never be Americanized Viewed as inferior people who could never be Americanized Many became the victim to mob violence Many became the victim to mob violence

The Exclusion Act: Shutting the Doors on the Chinese Anti-Chinese nativism led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 Anti-Chinese nativism led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 –Prohibited immigration of Chinese workers for 10 years –Prevented Chinese living in US from becoming citizens –Immigration from China fell from a high of nearly 40,000 people in 1882 to just 279 two years later!

Angel Island: The Ellis Island of the West Designed to enforce Chinese Exclusion Act Designed to enforce Chinese Exclusion Act Located in San Francisco Located in San Francisco Asian immigrants faced horrible conditions and processing could take weeks or months Asian immigrants faced horrible conditions and processing could take weeks or months

Other Asian Immigrants Other Asian Immigrants Exclusion Act created labor shortages Exclusion Act created labor shortages Hired more workers from Japan, Korea, & Philippines Hired more workers from Japan, Korea, & Philippines

Other Asian Immigrants These workers faced the same discrimination These workers faced the same discrimination Schools were segregated in San Francisco Schools were segregated in San Francisco –Japan’s government protested and President Roosevelt became involved –Convinced San Francisco’s school board to repeal segregation order American and Japanese governments carry out secret negotiations known as the Gentlemen’s Agreement American and Japanese governments carry out secret negotiations known as the Gentlemen’s Agreement

Angel Island Quarantine Station. In 1892, the Quarantine Station was opened at Ayala Cove (then known as Hospital Cove), where ships from foreign ports could be fumigated, and immigrants suspected of carrying diseases could be kept in isolation. The warship USS Omaha was borrowed form the Navy in 1893 and its boilers used to supply superheated steam for fumigation. The 40 buildings at the cove included a 400-bed detention barracks, a disinfecting plant, laboratories, and quarters for employees. Photo Source: California State Parks Photographic Archives

Segregated Asian children in schools - TR ended this in 1906 Segregated Asian children in schools - TR ended this in 1906 Gentlemen’s Agreement – Japan agreed not to allow workers into US. US agreed to let families of Japanese living in US to immigrate Gentlemen’s Agreement – Japan agreed not to allow workers into US. US agreed to let families of Japanese living in US to immigrate