Transcontinental railroad story of us12/31/2023 ![]() In 1858, California law officially outlawed Chinese from immigrating into America.Īlthough poorly enforced, this law was not formally repealed until 1943. Leland Stanford even called the Chinese the “dregs of Asia” in his campaign for Governor of California. They were often called ‘coolies’, a Hindu term that meant unskilled laborers. The Chinese were heavily discriminated against: not allowed to vote, testify in court, and denied citizenship. In the 1860’s, there were about 60,000 Chinese in California, nearly all of which were adult males. He was originally against this because of strong prejudices against the Chinese. It was Strobridge who grudgingly admitted that the company needed to hire the Chinese due to their shortage of workers. Also, head of construction was James Harvey Strobridge. These men were Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins. The key figures in the Central Pacific Railroad Company, were known as the ‘Big Four’. Starting from Sacramento, California, the Central Pacific Railroad Company built east while the Union Pacific Railroad Company built west from Omaha, Iowa. The people wanted a modern form of transportation that connected to two great oceans.Ībraham Lincoln promoted the railroad, and by 1853 Congress ordered the routing of the new transcontinental railroad. ![]() Summary of Evidence Beginning in 1830 the transcontinental railroad had been advocated for and desired by the American people. These two sources will be evaluated for their perspectives and value. The two chief sources used were Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869 written by Stephen Ambrose and Empire Express: Building the First Transcontinental Railroad by David Haward Bain. ![]() The sources used are books written by historians, quotes from important figures, and articles written in the time period. To assess this, this case will study the characteristics of the Chinese, also compared to other European workers, the principles that made them become prominent figures in the railroad construction despite discrimination, and the how the Central Pacific Railroad could have never been completed without the effort of the Chinese. Plan of Investigation This investigation evaluates the importance of Chinese immigrants who labored to complete the transcontinental railroad, and how their role opened the settlement of the West for America. How vital were the Chinese laborers in opening up the West for America through the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad? Elizabeth Chen 8290673 Word Count: 1887 How vital were the Chinese laborers in opening up the West for America through the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad? A. Chinese American Labor on the Transcontinental Railroad
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