Publisher's Synopsis
This book is a collection of historical documents related to immigration of the Chinese to the United States. Special efforts were made to collect documents related to the Chinese Exclusion Act and its impact on the Chinese American society in the United Sates. This book details the Chinese American political struggles and social conditions in California and America. The painful history of misoneism, racism, and inequality are well documented. It all began during California's infancy, the 1850s Gold Rush, which Chinese natives referred to as Gam Saan (Cantonese, for Gold Mountain). These prevailing attitudes expressed misunderstanding and fear towards the Chinese community. And though these prejudices were acknowledged through the rescission of racist laws, an apology was never issued until 2009.
