1. Asian Americans

2. Immigration (Chinese)
1848 gold rush in California (mostly men)
1882- Chinese Exclusion Act (until 1943)
1960s- refugees from communism
Today’s population: 3.6 million

3. Immigration (Japanese)
Began after 1884 (government would not allow people to leave Japan)
Many (mostly men) went to Hawaii to work in sugar industry
Picture brides were brought to US
Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907): US will stop segregating Japanese school children if Japan starts to limit immigration to US
WWII: Japanese Americans put into camps
Not many immigrants today
Today’s population: 1.3 million

4. Immigration (Filipinos)
US took Philippines during Spanish American War in 1898
Filipinos became American citizens
Granted Philippines independence in 1946
Today’s population: 3.1 million

6. Religion
Buddhism (China/SE Asia): goals are to lead a moral life, be mindful of thoughts and actions
Hinduism(India): reincarnation, karma, all life is sacred, caste system
Shintoism (Japan): honors ancestors and stresses purity and perfection

7. Holidays Moon Festival (fall festival in China)
Ching Ming (ritual visits to ancestor’s graves)
Chinese New Year

8. Values Respect for elders Hard work and self discipline
Family unity and loyalty
Divorce is rare
High value on education

9. Discrimination “Yellow Peril”- fear of Asians taking jobs (1800s)
boycotts of Chinese businesses (1800s)
California- couldn’t testify in court (1800s)
Barred from attending schools (early 1900s)
Civil Rights Movement (1960’s) improved conditions