DID EARLY CHINESE DISCRIMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES EXIST
The earliest Chinese settlers came to Arizona just after it had become a Territory of the United States in 1863. ... The Chinese did not enter the Territory in large numbers and because of this they were not confronted with the discriminatory legislation or the violence of prejudice that had happened to them in California, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. The Chinese left their homeland because of the news that was given to them that this land was beautiful and because of the natural resources. The gold rush attracted the Chinese, but the undiscovered mineral wealth left them without any hope of income. ... The Chinese were available for work and were good laborers. The railroads helped the Chinese escape persecution in Northern California and brought them to less developed and populated territories such as Arizona. ... In 1860 many Chinese were contracted as laborers, or “coolies,” who landed in San Francisco. There were large construction projects like the railroads which could have been filled by the native Indian and Mexican groups, but the Chinese were contracted even though there was growing prejudice against them. The prejudice grew because people felt that the Chinese were taking away jobs that were intended for people who lived in the United States. In the West, a large force of workers was necessary for quick development, and increasing Chinese immigration helped to fill the need, bringing their total numbers to nearly 50,000 by 1860. ... (Cheng-Tsu, 17) Chinese labor was cheap and easy to handle.