Millions of people have migrated to the United States in search of a better life. Until the middle of the 19th century, most of them came from England, Ireland and Germany.23 The “melting pot” metaphor was used to describe the heterogeneous society of immigrants with different cultures becoming more homogeneous through blending together all the races.20 Chinese immigrants joined this mass migration to America in three waves, beginning in the 1840s and extending to the present era. During these times, the Chinese influenced westward expansion and prospered the U.S. economy significantly. Despite attempts made by Chinese elites to maintain the purity of their ancient civilization, economic and political forces and events have driven millions
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Not only the Chinese were looking for better life and employment, but the United States also needed labor and potential benefits of trading with the Chinese in order to supply the demands of the Industrial Age.16 The first major wave of Chinese immigrants arrived after 1848, searching for gold, employment, and freedom. Chinese migrants called the western regions of North America, especially San Francisco, Gold Mountain22 to refer to their dreams of becoming rich. The discovery of Gold and other valuable minerals in the Sierra Nevada mountains set off waves of migrations to Northern California from the Eastern United States and on thru the Western province of Guangdong.24 …show more content…
Lawmakers accused Chinese labor for California’s economic depression. The Chinese were held responsible for taking away the economic opportunity from white Americans, which conveyed moral ills in the society and destroyed the “racial purity” of white Americans.25 The U.S. Congress reacted to these emerging issues on the West by passing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This was the first of many racial laws executing stipulations relating to a certain nationality of immigrants and declaring them as ineligible for naturalization. In 1884, Chinese laborers were excluded from any foreign country. The Chinese Exclusion Act and consequent anti-immigration laws were aimed at the prohibition of Chinese laborers who endangered the social order of many territories in the United States with the exception of those Chinese who were already in the U.S. as of November 17, 1880, and the members of the “except classes” including “teachers, students, diplomats, and travelers.”12 Those who are not excused and sought to enter the U.S. were required to obtain certification from the Chinese government, verifying their qualifications to immigrate. The certification also known as Section 6 Certificate included the immigrant’s name, age,
Not only the Chinese were looking for better life and employment, but the United States also needed labor and potential benefits of trading with the Chinese in order to supply the demands of the Industrial Age.16 The first major wave of Chinese immigrants arrived after 1848, searching for gold, employment, and freedom. Chinese migrants called the western regions of North America, especially San Francisco, Gold Mountain22 to refer to their dreams of becoming rich. The discovery of Gold and other valuable minerals in the Sierra Nevada mountains set off waves of migrations to Northern California from the Eastern United States and on thru the Western province of Guangdong.24 …show more content…
Lawmakers accused Chinese labor for California’s economic depression. The Chinese were held responsible for taking away the economic opportunity from white Americans, which conveyed moral ills in the society and destroyed the “racial purity” of white Americans.25 The U.S. Congress reacted to these emerging issues on the West by passing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This was the first of many racial laws executing stipulations relating to a certain nationality of immigrants and declaring them as ineligible for naturalization. In 1884, Chinese laborers were excluded from any foreign country. The Chinese Exclusion Act and consequent anti-immigration laws were aimed at the prohibition of Chinese laborers who endangered the social order of many territories in the United States with the exception of those Chinese who were already in the U.S. as of November 17, 1880, and the members of the “except classes” including “teachers, students, diplomats, and travelers.”12 Those who are not excused and sought to enter the U.S. were required to obtain certification from the Chinese government, verifying their qualifications to immigrate. The certification also known as Section 6 Certificate included the immigrant’s name, age,