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Thread: The History of Chinese People in Early California
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[quote=ROGERINCA,226013]The history of Chinese people in Early California:The earliest documented arrival of significant numbers of Chinese people in California, dates from the middle of the nineteenth century. Gold was discovered on the American River east of Sacramento, California early in 1848, very near the modern day city limits of Placerville. Word of the discovery was first disseminated by ships engaged in trade throughout the world. Among the first to learn of the new place of gold, were the people of Kwangtung Province (Guangdong). In 1848, law and tradition argued against travel to California, but a desire for quick riches was powerful motivation for a few hardy souls. These few soon sent back word of Gum Shan (Gold Mountain) and triggered a wave of Chinese immigrants. The first rough census of Chinese in California was initiated in 1852 when 25,000 were counted. The vast majority of them were from Kwangtung Province in southern China.The typical Chinese gold seeker was in his late teens or early twenties, male, single, and with limited education. His purpose was to return to China as soon as he had accumulated his wealth. He assiduously protected his traditional Chinese life style. Customs, clothing, language, food, and the traditional manner set him apart from his fellow miners. Understandably he sought the company of his countrymen and very quickly small Chinese settlements emerged in the mines, towns and cities. The largest and most important of these communities was San Francisco's Chinatown. Chinese Mutual Aid Societies sprang up and became an important part of the social structure in the city and beyond.Throughout my city today, are still many remnants and reminders of the contribution the Chinese made to the building of California, in its early days. These include, old buildings, monuments, memorials, sturdy rock walls that traverse many miles of countryside, and of course, the original road-bed for the rail line through the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains, connecting, Sacramento with the east. Perhaps this emotional ‘connection’ from the past, is part of the reason why I love China, her people and culture, so very much.[/quote]
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