Chinese Immigration 19th Century

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Pages: 2

Immigration in the late 19th century and early 20th century was a hot topic of debate in the United States. These Immigrants had many advantages and disadvantages depending on where they arrived, the west or the north. The West offered the opportunity that came with the California Gold Rush, while the North offered jobs in the ever-growing industrial economy. Both \offered political and religious freedoms from their country of origin. Xenophobia and tough immigration laws, especially against the Chinese in the West, were often factors that played against the average immigrant’s success in America. Europeans came in droves to the United States from both Eastern and Western Europe during this time. Their advantages and disadvantages depended on what time and what country …show more content…
Even after the gold rush ended, Chinese still came for work that often payed more than they would ever get in China, even if it was lower than the average salary received by the common man. This again cause massive unrest among the native population in California, leading to discrimination against the immigrants in the West. The Chinese received the biggest blow in 1882 with the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law banning Chinese immigration to the United States. This led to illegal immigration through Canada until ports were closed to the Chinese there as well. Some advantages and disadvantages were country wide too. The United Sates was often a step up from what immigrants had in their native country whether it be small or big. The opportunity to settle down comfortably and start a family was enough to intrigue the masses into immigration whether it be in the North or West. The problem coming here was that they were always fighting an uphill battle. Whether it be racism, xenophobia or lack of employment, any small blow could end an immigrant’s time in America