The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is often seen as the first major immigration restriction in U.S. history. Its story has striking parallels to today’s immigration debates, offering insights into the economic consequences of immigration limits and mass deportations. This is Part 1 of the story, which explores how Chinese immigrants became vital to the workforce in the American West and how, despite their contributions to the completion of the transcontinental railroad, their efforts sparked a populist backlash that led to their exclusion.
Donner Memorial State Park: A Site of Contrasting Histories
Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, California, is a place where stunning natural beauty meets a dark chapter in American history. The park offers scenic views of the Sierra Nevada and a peaceful alpine lake, ideal for outdoor activities. However, it is also the site of the infamous Donner Party tragedy, where in 1846-47, a snowbound group resorted to cannibalism to survive.
When my wife and I visited the park, we expected the legacy of cannibalism to be the most disturbing part of our visit. However, it was something else entirely that caught our attention.
China Cove and the Railroad’s Legacy
While walking along the lake, we reached China Cove, a quiet beach area offering beautiful views of Donner Peak. The name “China Cove” seemed unusual, so we checked a nearby placard and discovered its connection to the history of Chinese workers in the area. Above the lake, abandoned tunnels once allowed the transcontinental railroad to cross the challenging Sierra Nevada.
Building the railroad through these mountains was one of the most difficult engineering feats of the 19th century. The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 authorized the construction of a transcontinental railroad, connecting the East Coast with the West. The federal government awarded contracts to Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, each receiving subsidies and land grants based on the miles of track laid. This created fierce competition between the two companies.
Central Pacific had the harder task, constructing tracks through steep, snow-laden mountains. Initially, the company sought to hire white workers, but many were preoccupied with the Civil War or preferred more lucrative work in Nevada’s silver mines. Faced with a shortage of workers, the railroad turned to a new labor force: Chinese immigrants.
The Rise of Chinese Labor
Chinese immigrants, primarily from Guangdong province, began arriving on the West Coast in the mid-1800s, drawn by the California Gold Rush. As the Central Pacific Railroad struggled to find workers, Chinese immigrants emerged as a crucial labor force.
However, their presence was not welcomed by many Americans. Discrimination and violence against Chinese immigrants were widespread, and in California, laws were passed to restrict their rights. Despite this, Central Pacific Railroad, under the leadership of Charlie Crocker, made the controversial decision to hire Chinese workers. These workers were often treated poorly—paid less than their white counterparts, housed in substandard conditions, and given the most dangerous tasks.
The Harsh Conditions of Railroad Construction
The section of the railroad near Donner Lake, through Donner Pass, was particularly challenging to build. Workers had to dig tunnels through solid granite using primitive tools and explosives. The Summit Tunnel, a critical part of the railroad, took two years to complete and required immense physical labor. Chinese workers endured grueling conditions, working around the clock and through harsh winters to meet deadlines.
Despite the appalling treatment, Chinese workers persevered, and in 1867, they organized a strike demanding better wages and working conditions. Although the strike was largely unsuccessful, it led to a modest increase in pay and improvements in their treatment.
The Cost of Building the Railroad
Many Chinese workers died during the construction of the railroad, particularly in the dangerous mountain tunnels. Some perished in explosions, while others froze to death in snowstorms or died in avalanches. The company did little to recover their bodies, and it is believed that up to 1,200 Chinese laborers lost their lives during the project. In contrast, only 42 people died in the Donner Party disaster.
The Economic Backlash: The Irony of Progress
The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 was hailed as a major engineering achievement, reducing travel time across the country from months to just a week. The railroad was expected to fuel economic growth in the West. However, the economic reality proved more complicated.
The railroad connected the West to the more developed East, creating new competition for businesses in the West. This economic shift, compounded by a financial crisis in 1873, worsened unemployment in the West and triggered a recession that lasted for years. In the face of these economic challenges, Chinese immigrants became scapegoats.
As the economy faltered, many white workers blamed Chinese immigrants for taking their jobs. This led to a growing movement to expel Chinese immigrants, with Truckee, California—home to many railroad workers—becoming a focal point for anti-Chinese sentiment.
Next Week: The Exclusion of Chinese Immigrants and its Economic Impact
In the next part of this series, we will explore how the exclusion of Chinese immigrants was formalized through the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the lasting impact it had on the American economy.
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- Trump’s Picks to Shape U.S. Immigration Policy as President-elect
- Santa Barbara County’s Immigration Resources Are More Robust Than Ever
