The Gold Rush And The Chinese Migration To The US

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Chinese American experiences
The US is known for its large population of immigrants, however, there has been mixed reactions following the influx of immigrants that started in the 19th century, millions of people traveled to the US from all over the world from Europe to Asia. Many immigrants arrived from different parts of the world, but Chinese migration to the US is one of the historical events.
The Chinese migration to the US occurred in two stages the first being in 1850 to 1880 that was later halted by laws. The second wave occurred in 1970 after the normalization of the US –China relation that saw major changes in the US Immigration policies (Shouyi 567). Even though immigrants were attracted to the western parts more so the coast of California, Chinese immigration to the US during the Qing dynasty was because of several factors which has generated a mixed reaction, different authors present varied reasons for Chinese immigration to the US.
The background of China during the Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty emerged when colonialism was at its height, the dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China, led by the Manchus. The Qing dynasty between 1644 to 1912 had overseas contacts, hence facilitating movement of Chinese citizens to the US (Shouyi 56). Since many colonies were in need of laborers, many provinces in China, especially Fujian and Guangdong had a surge in mass departure caused by poverty and the Taiping rebellion (Shouyi 56). The Qing dynasty forced its subjects to work overseas to enrich the empire. The empire was cruel to its subjects, corruption, and poverty was rampant during this period. With time, the opium wars affected the dynasty's superiority (Shouyi 57).
The political unrest resulted in poverty that was witnessed during the Qing dynasty prompted Chinese citizens to become immigrants moving to the US in search of stable jobs, freedom and better living conditions (Shouyi 57). With constant attacks from colonies like France, Russia, Britain and Japan the dynasty tried desperately to maintain power, but the internal resistance from those who opposed the ruling family also made the dynasty lose power. There were several elements that eventually ended the history of the Qing dynasty (Luckingham 789).
The gold rush and the Chinese migration to the US
Chinese immigrants started arriving in San Francisco as early as 1838, however large numbers of Chinese came in 1850 for the same reasons, to look for gold like other people were coming to California, the immigration process during this period was termed as the gold rush (Lai 63). The Chinese immigrants being poor peasant farmers, left their homes due to the worrying economic and political troubles during that period caused by the Qing Dynasty. Most Chinese immigrants intended to work hard and make money and enrich their families (Lai 69).
Chinese immigrants were extremely modest; they were peaceful and hardworking, with most of them mining gold. However, those with hard-working attitudes were more focused (Yu. 238). Other Chinese preferred taking low wage jobs by working for other miners, while others opened up the business like restaurant, hotels, and laundries. The immigrants made money through mining or earning wages that they sent home to their families to improve the lives of their families (Yu. 244).
When gold was discovered in California, Chinese entered through the port of San Francisco, arriving in large numbers, hence they made up to 30 percent of California's labor force (Low 79). Their arrival received mixed reactions, when gold was in plenty; Chinese immigrants were treated well by the locals. The locals were grateful for their labor and their hard-working attitude, especially by the fact that they were willing to take low wage jobs (Low 79). Unlike other workers, Chinese workers charged as low as$ 30 per month to please the locals doing business. Gold miners were grateful because the Chinese had established business they could sleep and eat in their hotels and restaurants (Low 79).
When gold was becoming scarce, the locals started treating Chinese immigrants differently. Chinese workers were viewed as competition; they were out to steal their jobs because they received low wages. Their unique lifestyle fueled hostility towards them as they were viewed as foreigners (Low 91). To respond to this situation, the foreign miner's tax was introduced in California, forcing Chinese men out of the mining field into tasks reserved for women like laundering and cooking (Low 91). When the central Pacific railroad company started building a railroad that would connect various continents, this gave the Chinese the opportunity to be employed for cheap labor (Messias et al. 60). With reduced prospects of gold and the completion of the railroad, increased the rate of unemployment in California (Messias et al. 62).
The stereotype of Chinese Americans
The western laborer rejected Chinese immigrants viewing them as a threat, there were deadly anti-Chinese riots witnessed in Los Angels and San Francisco in 1870. The American government responded by passing the Chinese exclusion act in 1882 to restrict more of Chinese immigrants (Messias et al. 65). Such legislations aimed at reducing the Asian population in the US. Americans. Chinese people had been accused of lowering wages, and refused to assimilate; hence, they were a threat to the American morals. The use of opium and the increase in prostitution was considered as the major causes of riots against the Chinese (Lanham 1885). I deed, the end of the gold rush and the rail project greatly changed American attitudes towards immigrants viewing them as liabilities instead of assets.
Despite all that happened, globalization has facilitated immigrant movement, especially to America. Americans have always seen the importance of Chinese presence in the US at the international levels. However, even after two world wars Chinese immigration the US has been purely viewed from a racist point of view, the Chinese people are accused of not assimilating into the American culture (Lai 78).
The difference between Chinese American and Chinese/American
Many scholars have written accounts of Chinese immigrant experiences in America, presenting the change ...