US History

The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900)

Asian Americans

Migration

This collection uses primary sources to explore early Chinese immigration to the United States.

A photo of four Chinese field hands, 1898.

A photo from a family’s applications to reenter the U.S., circa 1892­-1900.

A photo of Chinese workers on the Central Pacific Railroad, circa 1863­.

A photo of a Minnesota YMCA’s English class for Chinese speakers, circa 1895­-1900.

A certificate of residence for a Chinese man living in California, 1894.

Three letters from a set written from 1946­-1948 between a Chinese-­American husband and wife (in Chinese with English translations).

The letters detail, among other things, their difficulties obtaining exit papers from China. 

English translation:

***10/18/1948:***

My Dearest Mingzhu,

It has been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I think a lot about you. Even though I hear from you often, when I read your letter it makes me miss you more. my love for you is deep as I feel your love for me. Now we are far apart and I dream that we will be together soon.

Right now everything is expensive. Hong Kong money is high almost like US dollar. Even if you have money you can’t buy pork or beef. If you want to buy rice you have to pay black market for $80 US for a bucket.

Now it is beginning to look like fall. It is getting colder each day. My wish is that you take care of yourself. I’m doing fine, so don’t worry. Keep writing to me. All for now till next time.

Wish you well,  
Your Loving Wife,  
Jong Hai on October 18, 1948

***10/22/1948:***

Yin Min, My Loving Husband,

I received your letter and a check for $100 US. Don’t worry. I know that you have bought a new home. That really makes me very happy. Too bad your sister and WIllie had to go back to their home. Now you have to take care of the business, cook for yourself and eat by yourself. It makes me unhappy thinking that you are alone. As I was read your letter I know and feel the love you have for me. I want you to know the love I have for you is so deep. Soon we will be reunited again as man and wife. We will be happy as can be, so don’t worry, OK? When we get together we don't have to talk about our lonesomeness.

I am living in my Mom’s home because I am six month pregnant. It is not easy to travel. We do a lot with my sister and our son. It won’t be long until we hear from immigration. So don’t worry. If I can make the boat on the 11th it would be great. If not, don’t know when I will see you. That makes me unhappy. I wish God can help us get together so that we will be happy like before. In love as man and wife, that is my wish. 

About the lawyer’s letter in English. When you were in Hong Kong they had received it back home. When I got back home I had a friend read the letter. He said not much going on. That’s why I let it be. Then the lawyer called and wanted me to go to immigration, so I did. But the immigration said I had to wait for them to contact me before they can work on it. So I can’t get my visa. Just have to wait for them to let me know. I did take my English letter to them. Don’t know when they are going to get with it.

About Willie’s Mom wanting Dorothy to marry Willie. My mom said she is too young. Hope she forgives us. Lately so much is going on. It’s hard to fall asleep. I’m glad you always send me letters, they comfort me. I’m doing fine, our love will never end. I will write to you soon. WIsh you well and my love. 

Your Loving Wife,  
Jong Hai on October 22, 1948

***10/31/1948:***

Yin Min, My Loving Husband,

I received your letters dated the 14th, 15th, 19th and 23rd. I understand that you are well. This makes me so happy.

About my documents, they are still not complete and are worrying me. I am a few months pregnant and sad that we can’t be together. I hope that I can get to the US before the baby is born. That would make me happy. If I can’t make it on time that would be really sad. Some things can’t be helped and that makes me unhappy. So everyday I am hoping that the immigration office will inform us to go and see the American immigration office. I don’t understand the delay. They are not in a hurry to do their job. I will let you know, so don’t worry.

I wait to hear from you before I go back to the village. I miss you a lot. Even though I am with my mom and our son, it is not the same as being with you. I am always thinking about you. I will take good care of myself. I always want to hear from you. I don’t go to town very often. I just stay in and wait to hear from you to comfort me.

I wish you well.  
Your Loving Wife,  
Jong Hai on October 31, 1948

Flyers distributed by trade unions for a boycott of Chinese and Japanese-­run businesses, 1898.

An 1882 political cartoon of politicians showing “unanimity” on the issue of Chinese immigration by beating a Chinese worker.

An 1870 political cartoon, “Throwing Down The Ladder By Which They Rose.”

An 1871 political cartoon, “The Chinese Question.”

A deposition of “a non-­Chinese witness” testifying for a Chinese man’s immigration process, 1902.

An application of a “lawfully domiciled Chinese merchant, teacher, or student,” 1923.

A photo of a crowd gathered around a man dressed as a dragon during the Chinese New Year Celebration, Chinatown, 1920s.

A photo of a Chinese boy and his father, 1899.

Questions

1. Look at the [deposition of a “non-Chinese witness”](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/88) and the [application of a “lawfully domiciled” Chinese merchant](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/89), teacher or student. Why are questions about labor such a big part of the immigration process for Chinese immigrants? How does this relate to the Chinese Exclusion Act?

2. Compare and contrast the three political cartoons from [1870](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/86), [1871](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/87), and [1882](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/85). How are America and its politicians depicted? How are Chinese immigrants depicted? What does each cartoon say about the issue of Chinese immigration? What is each cartoon trying to make the reader to feel and how does the artist work to create that feeling? 

3. Use the items in this set as evidence to explain the kinds of discrimination Chinese immigrants faced in the United States during this period. 


Activity

Read the translations of the [wife’s letters from China](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/early-chinese-immigration-to-the-us/sources/83) to her husband in America. Imagine that you live at this time and are acquainted with the husband of this woman. Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper explaining how American laws/practices should be revised in the light of what you know about this family.


Teaching Guide: Exploring Early Chinese Immigration to the US

Resources

1. [Building the First Transcontinental Railroad](http://dp.la/exhibitions/exhibits/show/transcontinental-railroad), Digital Public Library of America. 

2. [Chinese Immigration and the Chinese in the United States](http://www.archives.gov/research/chinese-americans/guide.html), The National Archives and Records Administration. 

3. [Chinese Immigration](http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/chinese.html), The Library of Congress. 

4. [Chinese Immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Acts](https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/chinese-immigration), US Department of State, Office of the Historian. 

5. [Gold Rush and Anti-Chinese Hatred](http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist6/chinhate.html), Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco. 

Overview

The advent of the railroad brought about many changes to the United States, including an early wave of Chinese immigration to America. Chinese laborers were the backbone of the Transcontinental Railroad’s creation, and worked diligently in other difficult industrial jobs for low wages. During this period, they faced intense racial discrimination both socially and politically. This culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which placed new obstacles in the way of Chinese and other Asian immigrants looking to come to America. In particular, the act placed limits and exclusions on laborers, not wealthy businessmen from China looking to immigrate. The following set of resources provides photos, documents, and oral histories that help tell the story of this early period of Chinese immigration to the United States. 

English

Early Chinese Immigration to the US

early-chinese-immigration_01_66c134689466411a06eee49a8d6bd177.jpg

Courtesy of California Historical Society via University of Southern California Libraries.

Pierce, C.C., “Four Chinese field hands standing near a building, ca.1898,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/66c134689466411a06eee49a8d6bd177.

A photo of four Chinese field hands, 1898.

Cite this item

Tips for Students

Item 1 of 14 in the Primary Source Set Early Chinese Immigration to the US