Differing Perspectives
In order to better differentiate between the Chinese and American, they came from different backgrounds. In the Chinese's perspective they wanted to start fresh and get away from the recent troubles with China's government problems, also to repay the debt they now owe to their merchants. When they immigrated to America searching for gold, they were hard workers. They also worked hard on the Transcontinental Railroad. At first, the Chinese were met with enthusiastic Americans who welcomed them warmly. But soon, due to the Chinese working hard, trying their best, the Americans saw them as competition for jobs. They were now rivals, they were afraid the Chinese would overtake the U.S.
Another side of America's personality showed that they saw the Chinese were seen as rivals/competition for jobs. Due to the increased Chinese immigration to the U.S., there was not as many jobs available as before. One might predict that the job opportunities were less for the Americans and they blamed blamed the Chinese for the lack of jobs.
Another side of America's personality showed that they saw the Chinese were seen as rivals/competition for jobs. Due to the increased Chinese immigration to the U.S., there was not as many jobs available as before. One might predict that the job opportunities were less for the Americans and they blamed blamed the Chinese for the lack of jobs.
Turning Points
The Chinese made an impact on America as they were the main work force for building the Transcontinental Road. They created one of the first transportation systems in America. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a huge turning point as it prohibited any Chinese from immigrating to America. From then on, the Chinese were treated inhumanely by the Americans. The Chinese could no longer try to immigrate to U.S. They could no longer try to leave China with their government problems; there was no other options but to leave their homeland and start anew. It was lifted with the Magnuson Act in 1943. Now, Asian-Americans are equals alongside the Americans and everyone else. One can see that the Chinese migrating to America was a huge turning point for America. America now had people of different ethnicities interacting. Today, there are people of all groups who are able to interact.
Historian Questions
- Why did the Americans accept immigrating in their country?
- Did of the Americans welcome to the Chinese? Or only specific people?
- What pull factors did some Chinese look at when immigrating to the U.S.?
- Why did America not allow families of Chinese women and children to come to the U.S.?
- Was there any Chinese people who actually discovered gold and got rich?
- What specific kind of ethnic groups were treated better than others?
- What specific kinds of groups immigrated to the U.S.?
- Was there anyone who emigrated from the U.S. to another country?
- Did the immigrates have to pay a specific kind of pay to get into the U.S.?
- Was there an advantage of having people immigrate to America?