*Why did the following immigrant groups migrate to America and where did they settle: Germans, Chinese, Irish, Scandinavians.
Germany was suffering from unemployment problems and general hardships in the economy.
Ireland was suffering from potato famine.
Chinese came over when they heard of the gold rush and were also in desperate need of land and jobs.
Scandinavians came over for land, because their country was too small and crowded.
Ireland was suffering from potato famine.
Chinese came over when they heard of the gold rush and were also in desperate need of land and jobs.
Scandinavians came over for land, because their country was too small and crowded.
*What immigrant groups settled the Great Plains?
Immigrants from the German-speaking areas of Europe (the various German states were united politically only after 1871) comprise one of the most significant elements of the population of both the United States and Canada. Immigrants from German lands accounted for at least 6 million.
*Were non-white people, Mexicans, Indians, Chinese, and other nationalities exploited during the development of the West?
Absolutely. They would often work in the desert where shelter/food/water were marginally available or be imprisoned. As well as placed in the military and faced death in their own country.
*How were Chinese immigrants treated in California during the gold rush?
Not very well, they, along with the Mexicans, Indians, and other nationalities that lived there around the time, picked at the surface gold until the American Settlers forced them away by scaring, threatening, and beating them.
*Why was Chinese immigration restricted in 1882?
"During the 1800's, many Chinese immigrants had settled in California. In the 1860's their labor was used on the first transcontinental railroad. In fact, two-thirds of the railroad's laborers were Chinese. Although Chinese labor on the railroad was a big success and greatly appreciated by many Americans. Others, particularly in California where the largest concentration of Chinese immigrants was located, felt that the Chinese “coolies” (the name given to laborers from Asia) were stifling job opportunities for Americans. However, most of these “Americans” had also immigrated to the US years earlier.
Chinese immigrants had become victims of criticism and racism because of their way of life. Asian culture is one in which families are close-knit and members have a great bond and loyalty to one another. Chinese food, dress, religion, etc. was very different from the European-American cultures that surrounded them. The Chinese in California stayed very close together in large communities to preserve this culture. It upset many Californians that the Chinese did not seem to assimilate, or integrate, into American culture upon becoming American citizens. Some complained that because of this, the Chinese were tainting American purity and did not have the country's best interests in mind.
Based on these prejudices and the fear of Chinese domination of labor, Californians and other American laborers urged the government to take action. They pushed legislation through Congress. The first time through, the Chinese Exclusion bill was vetoed by PresidentChester A. Arthur due to the length of the exclusion. Congress decided to shorten the exclusion period from twenty to ten years and on May 6, 1882, after being passed in the House and the Senate, President Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act.
This Act was the first of its kind. Never before had the US restricted immigration for a specific ethnic group. Much more legislation of this kind was to come and would include other immigrants of Asian descent (Japanese and Korean). In 1882, the United States began closing its doors and would continue to do so for a long time." (www.thenagain.info)
Chinese immigrants had become victims of criticism and racism because of their way of life. Asian culture is one in which families are close-knit and members have a great bond and loyalty to one another. Chinese food, dress, religion, etc. was very different from the European-American cultures that surrounded them. The Chinese in California stayed very close together in large communities to preserve this culture. It upset many Californians that the Chinese did not seem to assimilate, or integrate, into American culture upon becoming American citizens. Some complained that because of this, the Chinese were tainting American purity and did not have the country's best interests in mind.
Based on these prejudices and the fear of Chinese domination of labor, Californians and other American laborers urged the government to take action. They pushed legislation through Congress. The first time through, the Chinese Exclusion bill was vetoed by PresidentChester A. Arthur due to the length of the exclusion. Congress decided to shorten the exclusion period from twenty to ten years and on May 6, 1882, after being passed in the House and the Senate, President Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act.
This Act was the first of its kind. Never before had the US restricted immigration for a specific ethnic group. Much more legislation of this kind was to come and would include other immigrants of Asian descent (Japanese and Korean). In 1882, the United States began closing its doors and would continue to do so for a long time." (www.thenagain.info)
*How did the Chinese contribute to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad?
The Chinese helped a tremendous amount when it came to the transcontinental railroad. One thing they would do to blow up holes in the mountain was they would send one in a basket down the side of the mountain. Then the person would put a stick of dynamite and light it and swing away from the edge of the mountain.