Chinese Immigrants

Customs and Practices

Chinese worked as small time merchants, gardeners, domestics, laundry workers, farmers, and starting in 1865, as railroad workers on the famous Transcontinental Railroad project. The project pitted the Union Pacific (working westward from Nebraska) and the Central Pacific (working eastward from Sacramento) against each other for each mile of railroad track laid.

At its peak, 9,000 to 12,000 Chinese worked for the Central Pacific in some of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs. Many sources claim that up to 1,000 Chinese died during the project as a result of avalanches and explosive accidents as they carved their way through the Sierra Mountains. But the simple fact is that they contributed greatly in connecting America’s east and west coasts, and greatly improving transportation in the United States.

Chinese immigrants in the late nineteenth century had a profound effect on America. Primarily, the Chinese supplied the labor for America's growing industry. Chinese factory workers were important in California especially during the Civil War. They worked in wool mills, and cigar, shoe, and garment industries; twenty-five occupations in all. Chinese entrepreneurs started their own factories, competing with the white people. The Chinese provided a quarter of California's labor force. Chinese labor was also sought elsewhere in America, on the east coast and in the south to substitute for the now freed slaves. Chinese labor was sought after mainly because they supplied cheap labor. The worldwide effort to abolish slavery was aided by the Chinese cheap labor. The Chinese were also the first to stake claims in California gold fields prompting many to relocate to the west. With the gold rush, the Chinese were prompted to exploit other western state resources, providing products of use to the American society. The numerous railroads the Chinese built in America helped open rich resources in many of the states. The Chinese converted much of the land they settled in into rich farmland. Chinese cultivating, planting, and harvesting in vineyards, orchards, and ranches were useful by supplying great numbers of fruits and vegetables. Their skills were recognized and imitated on other farms. The west, no longer dependent on the east for products, could now produce their own products with the help of the Chinese.

Food and Other Contributions to American Society

Many types of food and items related to Chinese food have been introduced to the American society and used at the present time. Chinese tea was a popular beverage in eighteenth and nineteenth century America. Since the 1960s, Chinese cuisine has been an integral part of the American diet as well. Chinese restaurants are found in small towns and large cities across the United States. Key ingredients for preparing Chinese food are now found in all chain supermarkets, and lessons in Chinese cooking are regular features of national television. Chinese take-outs, catering, and chain restaurants have been commonplace in many cities. American households now routinely use Chinese ingredients such as soy sauce and ginger. They employ cooking techniques, such as stir frying and own Chinese utensils such as the wok and the cleaver.

Very few Chinese Americans now wear traditional Chinese clothing. On special occasions, some traditional costumes are worn. On Chinese New Year's Day, elders sometimes wear traditional Chinese formal clothes to greet guests. Sometimes, as seen in movies and television, Chinese styles find their way into American high fashion and Hollywood movies. In regards to the celebration of Chinese holidays, most Chinese Americans today observe the major holidays of the Chinese lunar calendar. The most important holiday is the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, which is also a school holiday in San Francisco. Family members get together for special feasts and celebrations.