chinese immigration
... these areas places that the groups could live but also places of economic opportunity. Both the Chinese and Japanese became self-employed. They opened laundries, hotels, restaurants etc. These businesses also enabled a way for them to be able to help one and other out. For instances the many Japanese businesses created 12,000 jobs, jobs that could be filled by their fellow Japanese.(186, Takaki) A little more difficult to do was overcome racially discriminatory laws, yet on occasion that was done as well. For example, the Japanese were prohibited from leasing and buying land because they were not able to become naturalized citizens. They overcame this through many means such as buying the land in the names of their American born children or white men. (206, Takaki). Asian labor that was excluded from labor unions, specifically the American Federation of labor, and had difficulties organized eventually succeeded. For instance, the Chinese lead a Rail Road strike in 1871 and the Japanese, along with Mexicans lead a strike against the Western Agricultural Contracting Company. Though the Chinese were unsuccessful in their strike the Japanese and Mexicans were very successful. The obtained release from unfair contracts and a wage increase. It is amazing how the Chinese and Japanese did not let the intense discrimination they faced stop them from living, succeeding, and achieving their goals. The lives Asian immigrants lead in their new countries varied from culture to culture but were tied together with common difficulties. For instance, the Japanese and Koreans were much more likely to settle down with families than the Chinese for several reasons. Primarily legislation made it more difficult for Chinese women to travel to the western hemisphere especially to the United States. The Page law was enforced by the U.S. government in 1875 to prohibit the entry of prostitutes, however, it was implemented so harshly it not only excluded prostitutes but Chinese wives as well. (40, Takaki) In contrast, under the Gentlemen’s Agreement, this terminated much of the male Japanese immigration to the U.S, permitted the immigration of wives (50, Takaki). In addition, the Japanese and Koreans heavily practiced “photo-marriages”, a practice in which prospective brides and grooms would exchange photos before the meeting. (47, Takaki). However, legislation was not the only reason for this Chinese culture also did not promote the travel of women, as can be seen by the practice of feet binding. Thus, it was unlikely to see Chinese immigrant families even in areas like Hawaii, which promoted the income of Asian women. Another noticeable difference was how the Chinese formed China-Towns these areas are located in most major cities in the U.S. yet one does not hear of “Japan-towns or “Korea-towns”. Granted there are areas where a large number of residents are Indian, Pilipino, and Korean or Japanese yet they are not as renowned as the Chinese areas. One of the reasons for this is that the Chinese were the first group to have large groups of immigrants and are the most dominant of the Asian American minority. An interesting topic in Asian American history is how Asians were treated as immigrants and minorities. Basically how the Asian experience was similar and different to that of other immigrants and other minorities of the time. Much of differences noted in this topic are tied to racism. As far as similarities are concerned, the re-occurring theme of why Asians came to the U.S. is again seen here. Like the Asians, the Europeans also came here with the hope for a better life. However, the idea of immigrants as sojourners is usually only applied to Asians this in interesting because many Europeans came with the intent of eventually leaving as well. Rowland Berthoff, a historian states that fifty-five percent of the English immigrants returned between 1895 and 1918 as well did fifty percent of the Italians and forty-six percent of the Scots. (11, Takaki) In many ways, European immigrants of the time had a much easier time settling in America. They were paid higher, had a higher quota for number of people allowed into the U.S., and faced less discrimination. For example the Chinese and white workers for the Central Pacific Rail Road were paid the same, however, the white workers were given free room and board while the Chinese were forced to pay. In addition, it was a lot easier for Europeans to assimilate in the U.S. than it was for Asians. The color of their skin brought hardships upon Asians. For instance in the case U.S. v. Bhagat Singh Thind in 1923 the U.S. Supreme Court denied citizenship to Indians because they were not white. (16 Takaki.) In ...