Chinese immigrants’ century American history
USINFO | 2013-10-23 13:19

 

1785, by the Irish captain John O'Donnell driving Pallas number (Pallas Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom synonym) sailboat arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, three Chinese seamen were attracted by rich New World, decided to stay here. Since then opened a prelude to the magnificent history of migration.

200 years later, in 1957 Lee and Yang won the Nobel Prize, 1983 Pei Pritzker Prize, in 1995 founded Yahoo's Jerry Yang, 2001 Elaine Chao became the first Chinese American government ministers, 2005 Michelle Kwan become the world's best female solo athletes, 2012 Lin let the nation crazy. 200 years of Chinese immigration to America more than 3 million, 18 June 2012, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed on the "Chinese Exclusion Act" apology case.

Despite a variety of wind waves, the Chinese have become an indispensable part of American society. 200 years, in order to better material and spiritual life of millions of men and women in yellow skin, black eyes, and the Irish, Italians, Germans, Jews, Japanese, Vietnamese and other people, writing the American nation's past, Now, with the future.

Jinshan go to!
Seen the Hong Kong film "Once Upon a Time" series, the first part of the audience, the film should be described in the United States to the Chinese gold rush impressive. 1848 James Marshall discovered gold in California, opened the first wave of Chinese immigrants in the United States. There were 300,000 people flocked into California, hoping to realize their dreams of gold. The same period, China since the Opium War and the Taiping war, a large number of people in dire straits looking for a way out.

"Golden Dream" through merchants, sailors, liar, missionaries, towards the mainland from Hong Kong to spread.Hundreds of landless peasants, through a variety of legal and illegal ways to dream land. Thus, "Gold Mountain" has become a San Francisco City earliest Chinese name until later in Australia in Melbourne after the discovery of gold, "Gold Mountain" became the "San Francisco."

Precisely because of this, the early Chinese laborers to the United States, mostly from Guangdong Pearl River Delta region, of which 60% came from Taishan (1914 years ago called the new Ning), the vast majority of the remaining 40% are from the surrounding areas such as Xinhui, Taishan ,Kaiping, Enping, Nanhai, Panyu, Shunde, Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Baoan and Hong Kong. Until 1965, there are still "half Taishan Chinese Americans," one said,Taishan dialect became the language of the Chinese American community access.

California Chinese quickly proved that they are very good gold workers. When his hometown in Guangdong, they are familiar with trenching, dams, pumping and other manual labor, which is the basic working of rice cultivation. When they came to the U.S. gold rush, he gave such a flood in his hometown experience to gold rush. It is said that after they panned the area, even the "teeth into the insect's" gold can not find here. Of course, this will no doubt increase the advantages of local hostility against the Chinese.

Interestingly, as the Chinese gold workers, frequent and Indian war.Taken from the outset deep contradictions. Indians unable to resist white supremacy, but they saw the Chinese, I feel Huaren Ping and bullied, so often broke out between some small-scale conflicts. Conflict, the Chinese holding wooden swords, spears Indians, the two sides lined up against. When the two sides began fighting, the message will immediately spread, this kind of thing is often used as a holiday entertainment, attracting many people to gather around. The authorities did not want to interfere with, often nothing.

"In short history."
After the gold rush past, California's other large-scale construction and in 1865 the Central Pacific Railroad (Central Pacific Railroad) open construction also requires the introduction of a large number of workers from China. Many laborers work down the gold mine, home to meet new compatriots, but also put this stuff on both sides of the U.S. railway communication engineering.

1868 United States and the Qing government signed the "Treaty of Tianjin continued growth of Sino-US Treaty" ("Burlingame Treaty"), the fifth provisions of the United States or naturalized Chinese willing resident, are not required to listen to its free forbidden. This is for the United States to China to attract a large number of Chinese laborers to open the door.

In 1851, California had 25,000 Chinese, 1870 will increase to 6.3 million people nationwide, all on the West Coast. 1880 6,000 people have arrived in the United States, in 1881 this figure increased by one fold, 1882 increased by 4 times.

General impression, the laborers are very miserable. This is not a problem, died in the long route and abuse is common. They are confronted with a variety of profiteers bullies bully comprador blackmail. But the laborers to the United States to work to obtain higher incomes, but also is a fact.

According to Chao Long play in the "Chinese American History," a book that will early American Chinese miners and railroad construction workers wages and general domestic farmers' incomes are compared: the early Chinese laborers salary around $ 30 each, net of basic living expenses and other costs a year can still accumulate 80-100 dollars. At that time, the annual income of domestic farmers generally between $ 8-10. Chinese income of at least two places differ by 10-fold. As the domestic labor income is very low, but emigrated to the United States is expensive - travel expenses, interest, and immigration documents total cost of about $ 200, equivalent to not eat in the country, the labor income of more than 10 years, so the general public to bear. Chinese per capita was U.S. $ 30 a year in remittances, equivalent to 18-25 ounces of silver, which is a larger income, you can supply a family of four a year of purchase rations and other household necessities for living expenses .

Chinese craze has even prompted the United States to the relevant industry's prosperity. In 1852, about 20,000 Chinese visitors arrived in California, passage of $ 1.5 million. Each ticket is priced at 30-50 dollars, from 1850 to 1859, which a trading turnover of the year there are more than $ 250,000, of which the profits are considerable. Thus, the marine passenger trade competition, fares drop.

Laborers for the construction of the Central Railway significant contribution, they work hard, hard working, low wages, and therefore a large number of railway companies hire additional laborers. 1864, the Central Pacific Railroad construction workers in China a total of 4,000 people, while white workers only 1,000 people. Then once more laborers accounted for 90% of road construction workers, about 9,000 people. Due to the contribution of laborers, railroad dates even earlier than originally completed in seven years.

Unfortunately, the completion ceremony of the railway, makes no mention of the contribution of laborers. Chair, said: "People of the blood vessels in California, flowing four greatest contemporary nation's blood; There Frenchman rushed brave dare dare momentum; has German philosophical mind and spirit identification; with indomitable perseverance England ; have troubled the Irish people do not know hot temper. their respective appropriately make a contribution. "

But first proposed to recruit laborers president of the Central Pacific Railroad Charles Crocker (Charles Crocker) to subtly remind everyone of the sentence: "I would like to draw your attention that we build this railway can be completed in time, in large part, thanks to the poor and despised, known as China's working class - thanks to the performance of their loyalty and hard work. "

This is the history of U.S. immigration famous "word history."

Achilles heel of the so-called Chinese
Then, as the completion of the railway, the increase in the number of Chinese immigration and California's economy in the doldrums (Some scholars believe that because of the state of California has been wealthy enough, do not care about the Chinese contribution tax), ranked Chinese sports quietly sky. 1877 appeared the first wave of anti-Chinese, in 1880 the United States and the Qing court signed the "Treaty of Beijing", where the first Chinese to America provisions limiting the number and age.

Its climax is the 1882 United States through the "Chinese Exclusion Act" (Chinese Exclusion Act), prohibits Chinese immigrants. Its 1884 amendment, it narrows the previous entry of immigrants leaving and entering the U.S. rules, while stating that regardless of the nationality of the Chinese, the Act are applicable. In 1892, the bill from "Jirui Act" (Geary Act) to extend decade to 1902 was canceled more time. Today, Angel Island in San Francisco Bay National Park in the 1910-1940 period was based on hundreds of thousands of Chinese immigrants processing station, where 30 percent of Chinese immigrants were repatriated to China.

Even today, although the "Chinese Exclusion Act" All the parts have been abolished a long time, but it has been a "United States Code" (United States Code) as part of which the first 8 Chapter 7 entitled "exclude the Chinese" (Exclusion of Chinese). It was the first 8 (Aliens and Nationality) Chapter 15 entirely for a particular nationality or ethnic group only section.

Exclusion sport is not only a political persecution, but also has profound cultural and social foundations. Has its roots in racism, white supremacy and a variety of Chinese society itself negative issues.

Thomas Sowell in the "American racial history", wrote the attitude of Americans towards Chinese immigrants are harsh and sometimes brutal. Chinese is neither white, but not Christians. But at the time, both indispensable, no matter which one is enough to constitute a fatal weakness. Chinese followed for Americans completely unfamiliar customs. Whether culturally or physically, they are considered not to be assimilated race.

1855 published "San Francisco Yearbook," the Chinese in the case, reads as follows: Chinese customs so disgusted Americans in California. Their language, blood, religion and personality with us completely different, their low quality, some people think that they only privileged than blacks that, while some people think they lower than blacks and so on. Those familiar with "China Men" (celestials) who quickly on them an uncontrollable feeling of disgust.

In the United States, "Chinaman's chance" of such a proverb, meaning "hope of success as slim as the Chinese guy," mainly refers to the Chinese people under the oppression of racism, success and fortune is unlikely.

I must also mention, the United States and a variety of left-wing anti-Chinese movement ILO played an inglorious role. California Labor ranked China as the workers and the capitalists unite to fight the political slogan: "Chinese guys must roll!"

Zhou Min "American Chinese Social Change," a book that, in 1882, "Chinese Exclusion Act" Adoption and hold "Labour Sacredness" white working class united social forces, under the leadership of the union to the U.S. Government pressure has a great relationship.

Difficult period has expired
In the "Chinese Exclusion Act" passed at the same time, many western states have begun to come into force some racially discriminatory laws, these laws not only against Chinese immigrants, but also for the Japanese immigrants make it difficult for them to own land or find work.

Exclusion in California during the frenzy, even in the State of California 1881 March 6, announced that it is a holiday, used to hold massive demonstrations to promote expulsion of the Chinese.

There is such a law banning Chinese people in court to provide testimony against whites, which is actually equal to publicly announce any abuse can be Chinese, Chinese if whites were looting, damage and attack, protected by law is extremely unlikely ( Unless otherwise whites willing to help).

It is in this draconian social thought and the encouragement of violence began to rise. Chinatown often looted and burned, in 1871, a group of whites in Los Angeles more than 20 a night to kill Chinese.

"Chinese Exclusion Act" enacted a great impact on Chinese immigration, the number of Chinese emigrated to America from the 1870s to reduce the climax of the 123,200 people in the 1890s to 14,800 people. In the 1930s to less than 5,000 people, reaching the lowest point.

In addition to life, injuries and economic pressure, the various pranks and insults against the Chinese behavior is also very common in men and women's feet braids is the main object. According to historical data, Taishan records: Once, in New York, a public car on a long braids of Taishan Nam Ji Jin Huang old overseas Chinese living in America, by a group of U.S. rogue juggle - group of rogue doze off while Mr. Huang Lao occasion, his braids tied the knot in the car stool, Huang Jin wakes can not get off can not leave his seat, causing the same car travelers laughter.

At the same time, such as "coolies" (Coolies), "John Chinaman" (John Chinaman), clear off (Chink), pagan (heathen) and other insults against the Chinese people is everywhere in American society, but also constitutes English a special historical heritage.

Exclusion wave continued into the 1930s, until China's expansion in the fight against Japan plays an increasingly important role, and eventually subside. After the outbreak of the Pacific War when China became a U.S. ally, came toward the end of history, China also, but in the institutional and cultural psychological eliminate all spent some time still.

In 1943, "Mai Nuosen Act" (Magnuson Act) abolished the "Chinese Exclusion Act" which allows an annual 105 Chinese immigration quotas. In 1948, Chinese and Caucasian prohibiting marriage law was repealed. However, large-scale Chinese immigration did not follow soon. Until 1965 of the "immigration and nationality Services Act" (Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965) is adopted. This is the first in the United States through the immigration laws for specific ethnic groups.

State of California, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, respectively, in 1970, 2011 and 2012 respectively, officially on the "Chinese Exclusion Act" apology.

In 1959, the average income of Chinese-Americans than other Americans.In 1960, Chinese workers in professional and business and the number, more than the number of people engaged in manual labor. Today, 1/4 Chinese Americans employed in scientific and technical fields, despite the current situation of Chinese society is still very complex (for example, a huge gap between rich and poor; as a whole is highly educated, but illiteracy is far higher than the national average level, or even several times blacks), it is undeniable that they have gone through a difficult period in history, being the masters of the American society and identity-building plays a special talent.

Early American Chinatown dark images
From the 1970s onwards, the Chinese bought a street is not news, but buyers from the early Taiwanese, Hong Kong from mainland China became the upstart now. And prefer to live in suburban whites gathered, away from Chinatown, affluent Chinese immigrants are different, early Chinese living in the United States and Chinatown are inseparable.

Three communities in Chinatown
Exclusion Period, Chinatown community organizations generally have three categories: clan, Hall (Association) and the church (gang or trade associations). Generated from the moral, political and economic pressure on the U.S. Chinatowns become highly self-enclosed communities.

Provincialism in which clan has supremacy. Historic Guangdong soil off the big fights, the main battlefield in Heshan, Kaiping, Enping and other places. Even Chinese people in the United States, donations still home purchase firearms. Support fights. May 1884, Kaiping a gentleman had received a letter in San Francisco shut Chinese surname: "Well open new three counties passenger bandit Youyu instantly rebellion, now in San Francisco to buy more than seventy Lane round-ring guns and gunpowder other items The silver twelve thousand yuan, pay return Sunning Cao Chong. "

These associations, churches and clan forces had been so powerful. From the early Chinese American social structure, almost all of the communities are in San Francisco or New York established a highly coordinated national headquarters.

Reading in the United States
Interestingly, in the 1870s, in some insight Westernization appeals and U.S. diplomats under the impetus of the Qing government emissary establishment of consulates in the United States. However, the Qing government was weak national strength, the government protect overseas weakness. United States for diplomats limited powers, prestige is not high, lack of overseas due respect. If fang to Boston's Chinatown in 1908 when the Chinese drink a few dozen. Inability to control the overseas Chinese community consular officer.

Traditional education still be maintained in Chinatown, many Chinese schools is a semi-public nature, directly by the Qing government support. The first such schools is Qing College, founded in the early 20th century San Francisco's Chinatown. Started with just two grades, 3:00-9:00 pm every day and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm classes. The first session of the Qing College Admissions about 60 people, taught by two teachers. Fees received only $ 0.5 per month. Curriculum is quite formal, mainly to learn the Chinese classics, such as "university", "moderate", "The Analects of Confucius" and "Mencius", these classics are usually required reading for Chinese imperial examination.

This situation is reminiscent of a similar situation of Jews in Europe, objectively reflects the Chinese community and mainstream American society's long-term barrier.

In the Americans, Chinatown is bizarre, even long-term with a variety of negative factors linked. This includes opium, prostitution and gang violence.

U.S. an opium expert estimates, in the late 19th century about 20% of 100,000 Chinese opium a year to consume 57,031 pounds of opium. "San Francisco Post" is called the Chinese as "the opium of the Friends."

Opium on the Chinese scene, the famous American writer Mark Twain in office "entrepreneur" newspaper reporter when he wrote: In every one narrow low filthy shacks, drifting with the faint smell of burning Fodeng, faint, flickering candles illuminate some of the shadows tallow, twenty-three skin turmeric, dragging long braids tramp, curled up in a short little bed, motionless, smoking opium. They then glazing eyes, because very comfortable, very comfortable toward the inside - or just had enough of the addiction, and handed the pipe next to the companions who like look of the thing - because the burned opium is a uncomfortable things need to concentrate. A lamp on the bed, the smoke from the burning man's mouth just a pipe rod so far. He put a pill of opium on the tip inserted in a wire, with the fire lit, and put Yan Daiguo, as if wiping holes with stucco, like Christians. Then he put on the lamp Yan Daiguo Minato, start pumping up - that stew fried grill smoke pills and smoke tube juice squeaky sound, almost makes Nisumudiao statue everted gut Daowei, however, John (a Chinese) like it.

Bloody "tong wars"
With different drugs, prostitution and a lot of extent, anti-Chinese policies inseparable. Chinese women to the United States by the prohibition, Chinatown female ratio frequently reaches 20 to 1, then by all means the Chinese women trafficked into the United States as a prostitute became a way of making money.

Many are trafficked prostitutes trafficked from the U.S. China is gang and unscrupulous traders sold publicly in the local market. "The New York Times," July 30, 1873 reported from Hong Kong to take the ship to San Francisco 22 Chinese women in Chinatown public auction. $ 450 per person, young girls, older women price of 200-100 dollars per person. There are statistics indicate: Overseas Chinese in the United States a total of about 160,000 men, women, about 6,000 people, decent living ten only one of two dependents. I were prostitutes.

Societies violent crime is a serious problem, which has contributed even a word in English - Axe hand (since early Chinese secret societies killer love with an ax). These associations (Church) also have their own strength range, delineation of their brothels, opium dens and casinos. Often violent clashes between the church, the 19th century Chinatown "tong wars" very bloody, is an American media love ZTS theme. This situation continued until the 1930s until the 1970s, after gradually subsided.

Sowell on bluntly: In the 19th century, the last 25 years, Chinatown is not only Chinese, but also for those indulging in prostitution, gambling and drug abuse whites are iniquity. Chinatown frequented by whites, are some hooligans and thugs. Chinatown gang violence could erupt at any time already, these white criminals come, there will be further exacerbated the risk.

But he did not forget wrote: It was kind of dilapidated Chinatown, filth and violence rampant situation, just to be anti-China elements used as a pretext to restrict Chinese immigration, although in fact, the main reason for this situation, It was the implementation of a policy of exclusion of Chinese immigrants.

In a sense, America's Chinatown is a product of American society anti-Chinese. Early Chinese laborers to the United States soon after they discovered the "Golden Dream" shattered by reality, they have become the object of racial discrimination and exclusion.

Douglas Macedo (Douglas Massey) and Nancy Denton (Nancy Denton) in 1987 co-published "American clan isolation system" (America Apartheid) a book with a lot of empirical data and quantitative analysis on the assimilation of to challenge. They found that not every member of the minority ethnic groups can apply to whites "assimilation", ethnic groups and ethnic assimilation between the extent of unequal reasons are quite different. For example, African-American blacks while undergoing efforts of several generations and white populations still maintained a high degree of isolation. Chinese are no exception, so they stand up in Chinatown.

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