Chinese Immigrants After the Gold Rush
After the Gold Rush ended, many Chinese immigrants chose to return to China, as they disliked the harsh treatment they faced in the United States. They had succeeded in earning money, and wished to return to their families and their culture.
Many others, however, decided to stay in America in order to earn more money. For example, throughout the 1860's, about 10,000 Chinese immigrants participated in building the western leg of the Central Pacific Railroad, and earned a great deal of money. The success of these railroad builders encouraged even more Chinese immigrants to remain in the United States. In fact, by 1870, there were still 63,000 Chinese immigrants in the United States. Yee Ah Tye is an example of a Chinese immigrant who chose to remain in the United States. He made this decision because he was attracted to the personal freedoms the United States offers. He ended up being very successful in investing in commercial and mining operations on the Feather River in California, and lived a pleasant life in the United States until he peacefully passed away from old age in 1896. (Brands 479-480, "Chinese Immigrants and Gold Rush").
Many others, however, decided to stay in America in order to earn more money. For example, throughout the 1860's, about 10,000 Chinese immigrants participated in building the western leg of the Central Pacific Railroad, and earned a great deal of money. The success of these railroad builders encouraged even more Chinese immigrants to remain in the United States. In fact, by 1870, there were still 63,000 Chinese immigrants in the United States. Yee Ah Tye is an example of a Chinese immigrant who chose to remain in the United States. He made this decision because he was attracted to the personal freedoms the United States offers. He ended up being very successful in investing in commercial and mining operations on the Feather River in California, and lived a pleasant life in the United States until he peacefully passed away from old age in 1896. (Brands 479-480, "Chinese Immigrants and Gold Rush").
Although many Chinese immigrants were successful after the Gold Rush, others faced continued prejudice and violence. In fact, in 1862, eighty-eight Chinese people were reported murdered in California. However, the most significant example of the poor treatment of Chinese immigrants is the Chinese Exclusion Act. This law was created in 1882, and banned the immigration of Chinese laborers into the United States. It had devastating effects on many Chinese immigrants, because it led to a very disproportional man to women ratio. Since most of the original Chinese immigrants had been male laborers, there was a severe shortage of Chinese women in the United States. In order to sustain their population, illegal immigration was common, while many others decided to simply return to China. As a result, the Chinese population in the United States began to steadily decline after 1890. ("Journey to America").
Overall, it can be concluded that the Gold Rush had a positive effect on some Chinese Immigrants, while it had a negative effect on others. A huge amount of Chinese immigrants were able to escape the difficult times in China, move to the United States, and make a successful living. Then, they either returned home with their earnings, or remained in the United States to continue their success. Clearly, the Gold Rush had a positive effect on these Chinese immigrants. Other Chinese immigrants, however, left their family and their home in China, and were faced with prejudice and violence in the United States. This led many Chinese immigrants to lead torturous, difficult lives in the United States, and caused many others to be driven out of the United States, or even murdered. It is apparent that the Gold Rush had a negative effect on these Chinese immigrants.
Overall, it can be concluded that the Gold Rush had a positive effect on some Chinese Immigrants, while it had a negative effect on others. A huge amount of Chinese immigrants were able to escape the difficult times in China, move to the United States, and make a successful living. Then, they either returned home with their earnings, or remained in the United States to continue their success. Clearly, the Gold Rush had a positive effect on these Chinese immigrants. Other Chinese immigrants, however, left their family and their home in China, and were faced with prejudice and violence in the United States. This led many Chinese immigrants to lead torturous, difficult lives in the United States, and caused many others to be driven out of the United States, or even murdered. It is apparent that the Gold Rush had a negative effect on these Chinese immigrants.