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Introduction to First-Wave Immigration

Introduction to First-Wave Immigration. Takaki’s Key Argument Chinese – first group of Asians to enter U.S. in significant flow of immigration What happens to Chinese in mid- and late-1800s represented a pattern for the ways other Asian immigrant groups would be viewed and treated in the U.S.

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Introduction to First-Wave Immigration

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  1. Introduction to First-Wave Immigration Takaki’s Key Argument • Chinese – first group of Asians to enter U.S. in significant flow of immigration • What happens to Chinese in mid- and late-1800s represented a pattern for the ways other Asian immigrant groups would be viewed and treated in the U.S. ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  2. Population Trends Let’s look at number. . . What do you notice? Geography 1870 24% Ch in CA live in SF, rest in rural areas 1900 45% Ch in CA live in SF Bay Area, 2/3 in urban areas 1870-1900 Occupational/Class Background ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  3. What is the story of Chinese immigrants that Takaki tells? Initially welcomed: • Invited to CA’s admittance to union in 1850 (p. 80) • Invited to SF celebration of GW’s b-day 1852 (p. 81)  An auspicious beginning in the U.S. But things begin to change . . . Nativist cries of “California for Americans!” ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  4. Chinese in California Gold Mining 1860s 24,000 Chinese in CA mines, most are independent prospectors • American white miners demand elimination of competition of foreign miners (French, Mexican, Hawaiian, Chilean) • Chinese -- “Asiatic races,” their “customs, language, and education” threaten well-being of mining districts • CA governor voices support for prohibition of Chinese into CA ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  5. Anti-Chinese Prejudice Institutionalized into Law • 1852 Foreign Miner’s License Tax ($3/month) • Chinese not named, but targeted • 1790 Naturalization Law • Voided by Civil Rights Act of 1870 (CA collected $5 million) • 1855 Landing Tax ($50/person) • Entitled “An Act to Discourage the Immigration to this State of Persons Who Cannot Become Citizens Thereof’ • 1863 Capitation Tax ($2.50/month) • Designed to “protect Free White Labor against competition with Chinese Coolie Labor, and to Discourage the Immigration of the Chinese into the State of CA” • Exempted businessmen, licensed miners ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  6. Chinese Enter Dual-Wage Economy • Chinese move from gold mines during mid-1860s  railroad construction (1865-1869)  manufacturing (SF)  agriculture  self-employment • Chinese move from independent prospectors  wage workers • Employed within industrial capitalist economy • Find selves paid less than American white counterparts • Enter a dual-wage economy ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  7. Dual-Wage Economies • 24,000 Chinese miners (2/3 of Chinese in U.S.) 2,700 Chinese in SF (7.8% of Chinese in CA) 1867 12,000 Chinese employed by CP RR (90% of workforce) • 16,000 Chinese miners (1/3 of Chinese in U.S.) 12,000 in SF (1/4 of Chinese in CA) 18% CA farm laborers are Chinese 2,899 Chinese laundry workers (72% of laundry workers in CA) • 86% Sacramento County, 55% Santa Clara County farm laborers are Chinese • 6,400 Chinese laundry workers (69% of laundry workers in CA) ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  8. Who Does a Dual-Wage Economy Benefit? • Employers pay Chinese less than white counterparts • Employers use Chinese to break labor strikes by American white workers • Employers contribute to “ethnic antagonism” between Chinese and white workers ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  9. Anti-Chinese Ideology and Institutional Policy Takaki asks: How could this happen? How could Chinese be kept in this position? How could such racial discrimination happened and endure? And what was America to do with the Chinese immigrants? ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  10. Anti-Chinese Ideology and Institutional Policy Takaki argues: • Presence of Chinese challenged dominant American ideas of the nation as a racially homogeneous society • Chinese were not considered “American” but a threat to America • Chinese were deemed not just different, but inferior (as were Nat Am, Af Am) ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  11. Anti-Chinese Ideology and Institutional Policy Takaki argues: • Chinese were considered unassimilable – too different and inferior • Chinese were incorporated into U.S. economy, but were not welcomed into its political and cultural body ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  12. Anti-Chinese Ideology and Institutional Policy Takaki argues: • Anti-Chinese ideology more than just attitudes, including laws and public policy EX: 1854 Supreme Court (People v. Hall) rules that Chinese cannot testify as a witness for or against whites in a court of law EX: 1790 Naturalization Law denies Chinese immigrants right to become U.S. citizens ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  13. Anti-Chinese Sentiments and Chinese Exclusion 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act – excludes entrance of Chinese laborers for 10 yrs 1888 restriction includes “all persons of the Chinese race” (except officials, teachers, students, tourists, merchants) 1892 renewed 1902 extended indefinitely ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  14. Chinese Response Takaki asks: • But how did the Chinese immigrants react to what was happening to them? How were they active makers of history too? • How did they feel about their own experiences and what they do? ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

  15. Chinese Response Many Chinese immigrants questioned and protested what was going on. • Criticism of anti-Chinese messages EX: 1852 Norman Asing’s letter to CA Governor • Challenges in courts to fight for legal rights and equal protection EX: 1862 Ling Sing sues SF tax collector • Efforts to find loopholes around restrictions and anti-Chinese laws ICS 20 Week 3 -- Chinese Immigration

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