Social Change
Reconstruction / Industrialization Period

Ng Poon Chew and Chinese in America

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Beginning in the mid-1800s, Chinese people began to immigrate to the United States. Many came to escape economic and political troubles in China and to find work in America. Chinese immigrants became an important part of the labor force on the West Coast and in port cities along the Eastern seaboard. As their population grew in the later 1800s, the Chinese Americans began to re-create their traditional cultural practices in America.

Ng Poon Chew : Chinese statesman and journalist

One early Chinese leader was Ng Poon Chow. Ng owned a daily Chinese newspaper and was a well-respected public speaker and famous writer. He was one of the first Chinese immigrants to become nationally known.

[no.1]: From Miscellaneous Selections : San Francisco's Chinatown - Architectural Space: Official map of "Chinatown" in San Francisco

In the 1800s, most Chinese Americans settled in California. San Francisco, located in northern California, was the first major city to host a large Chinese population. In the city, many of the Chinese lived near one another, in the city’s “Chinatown .”

"Chinese Dragon. La Fiesta Parade, Los Angeles, Cal., May 2, 1902": From General Subjects Social Groups: Chinese (large photographs)

Many aspects of Chinese culture entered American culture. Seen here is a traditional Chinese dragon in a “fiesta” parade in Los Angeles .

The Chinese Question Again. [Scott's Exclusion Act] [back cover]: From The Wasp: v. 23, July - Dec. 1889

Though the Chinese came to America hoping for new opportunities, their arrival was often met with anger and resentment. From the 1850s through the late 1870s, thousands of people left China and moved to California in search of jobs and stability. These immigrants were met with increasing anger as the number of immigrants swelled and jobs became scarce. In 1882, the government formally outlawed Chinese immigration with the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned Chinese laborers from entering the United States for 10 years.

Chinese immigration: The social, moral and political effect of Chinese immigration: From Miscellaneous Selections : Anti-Chinese Movement & Chinese Exclusion

This is an example of the kinds of legal documents that were passed by the California state legislature clarifying anti-immigration laws on the basis of race.