Further Investigation of Immigration

Henry Quillin
Mr. Roddy
IIHSS
4 April 10
According to David Phillips as he discusses the “Chinese Question”, there were many well educated and wealthy Chinese people that came to America. Many came to settle and start a new life for their family and children, however many also come to work hard in America and save as much as they can for when they return to China. The Gold Rush attracted many Chinese immigrants to the United States. Most of these Chinese immigrants hoped to mine gold but many took jobs in coal mines, construction, and canneries. Eventually many opened businesses like restaurants and laundries, further engraining themselves in American society.
Chinese immigrants would work for very cheap, as they were very desperate for work. “If he can not get a high price, he will take a low one, but work he will. And then, he is neat, clean, sober and patient, always submissive, peaceable and quiet”(Phillips). Most of these jobs were low paying industrial jobs, and thousands of Chinese workers helped construct railroads. Many huge railroad companies were hiring Chinese men because they had a reputation for being productive workers who did not ask questions or demand high pay. Eventually, more industries like farms, factories, and mills were looking to hire Chinese men. By the 1880s, about 25% of Chinese workers were Chinese men. This was great for big companies because they had a large workforce that they could underpay without complaint, however, many Americans were starting to have to compete with the Chinese worker for jobs. Anti-Chinese discrimination grew in the United States and in 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. For the next 10 years, Chinese workers were completely banned from entering America.  Many Chinese immigrants returned back to their families in China. The ones who stayed faced great discrimination and formed strong communities across the country. I think it is very interesting how Chinese workers were discriminated against because of their hardworking mentality, and I wonder how America would look today if the Chinese Exclusion Act was never passed?
Sources 
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/chinimms/index.html
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/chinimms/phillips.html
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/chinimms/mcone.html
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/chinimms/cummings.html

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