Donald Duk

Chinese immigration began with the arrival of Chinese miner by the thousands in

California, following the discovery of gold in 1848. The hopeless improvement of Chinese

economics soon lured more Chinese immigrants to the United States. Some worked on the

transcontinental railroad, which was completed in 1869. Others worked in orchids, vineyards,

and fields. Some even entered the fishing and manufacturing industries (Encarta).

Even though the Chinese helped develop the American West, they became targets of an

anti-Chinese movement soon after their arrival. Many Americans saw the Chinese as an inferior

people who were unsuited to become U.S. citizens (Encarta). Some Missionaries,

businesspersons and others defended the Chinese, but were unable to prevent the Chinese

Exclusion Act in 1882 (a law which virtually banned further immigration from China). After

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, China and U.S. became allies in th...