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Arrival of Chinese Immigrants
Description: Chinese immigrants began arriving in large numbers during the Gold Rush.
Significance: This was the beginning of the Chinese presence in the United States.
Key Players: Chinese miners and early settlers
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Chinese_Americans -
Chinese Laborers Build Transcontinental Railroad
Description: Thousands of Chinese workers help build the Central Pacific Railroad
Significance: Shows their contribution to major U.S. structures
Key Players: Chinese laborers and Central Pacific Railroad Co.
Sources: https://www.history.com/articles/transcontinental-railroad-chinese-immigrants -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Description: First major U.S. law to ban immigration based on nationality
Significance: Discrimination and slowed the assimilation
Key Players: U.S. Congress and Chinese immigrants
Sources: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/chinese-immigration -
San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
Description: Destroyed all records, allowing the Chinese to claim they were born in the U.S.
Significance: Opened unauthorized immigration
Key Players: Chinese immigrants and officials of immigration
Sources: https://www.aiisf.org/mosaic-profiles/papersons -
Repeal of Chinese Exclusion Act
Description: The U.S. repeals the Exclusion Act during World War II
Significance: Allowed immigration, and there was a shift in attitudes.
Key Players: U.S. government, Chinese American communities
Sources: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/chinese-exclusion-act-repeal -
Immigration and Nationality Act
Description: End immigration policies that limit the number of immigrants allowed into a country based on their race or ethnicity.
Significance: Lead to a rise in the Chinese immigration
Key Players: U.S COngress, President Johnson
Sources: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/immigration-act -
Raise of Chinese Language Programs in U.S Schools
Description: More schools begin offering Mandarin as part of a foreign language curriculum
Significance: Sign of a growing culture inculsion
Key Players: U.S. school districts
Sources: https://miparentscouncil.org/2019/06/16/the-state-of-mandarin-immersion-in-the-united-states-june-2019/ -
Vincent Chin Case
Description: Chinese American man beaten to death in Detroit, and very minimal sentences given to attackers
Significance: Sparks an Asian American civil rights movement
Key Players: Vincent Chin and advocacy groups
Sources: https://www.nps.gov/people/vincent-chin.htm -
COVID-19 and Rise in Anti-Asian Hate
Description: Spike in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans during the pandemic
Significance: Exposed ongoing racism and challenges to full assimilation
Key Players: AAPO community
Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9168424/ -
Chinese American Representation in Government and Media
Description: Increase in visibility of Chinese Americans in politics
Significance: Symbolizes progress toward inclusion
Key Players: Boston Mayor, actors, authors
Sources: https://www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/blog/diversity-in-hollywood-how-to-write-asian-characters-more-effectively