Remaking Chinese America: Immigration, Family, and Community (1940-1965)

In the mid-20th century, a significant wave of Chinese immigrants arrived in America, seeking better opportunities and a new life. Their journey, experiences, and contributions helped shape the Chinese American community we know today. "Remaking Chinese America: Immigration, Family, and Community (1940-1965)" explores this transformative period and the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants during these years.

Coming to America: Chinese Immigration in the 1940s

The events leading up to this wave of Chinese immigration were influenced by historical events such as World War II, the restrictive Chinese Exclusion Act, and changing political dynamics in China. Individuals and families sought refuge, economic stability, and prosperity in the United States, which promised a brighter future.

Challenges and Struggles Faced by Chinese Immigrants

Upon arrival in America, Chinese immigrants encountered a variety of challenges, including language barriers, racial discrimination, and limited job opportunities. The article dives deep into the specific hurdles faced by these individuals and how they overcame them with determination and resilience.

Remaking Chinese America: Immigration, Family, and Community, 1940-1965

by Xiaojian Zhao(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5018 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

FREE

Family and Community Support: Building a New Home

Family and community played a pivotal role in helping Chinese immigrants establish roots in America. From creating support networks to preserving cultural traditions, the article highlights the importance of these bonds in creating a sense of belonging in a foreign land.

Contributions to American Society: Overcoming Adversity

Despite the numerous obstacles faced, Chinese immigrants made tremendous contributions to American society. Their hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and perseverance helped shape economic sectors, cultural diversity, and social integration. This section explores the impact of Chinese Americans in areas such as business, politics, arts, and academia.

Preserving and Celebrating Chinese Culture in America

The article concludes by discussing the efforts made by Chinese Americans to preserve their cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. It highlights the vibrant Chinese communities across the United States and their contributions to multiculturalism, enriching the fabric of American society.

Embracing Diversity: A United Chinese American Community

The journey of Chinese immigrants in America between 1940 and 1965 is a story of resilience, cultural preservation, and overcoming adversity. This article invites readers to reflect on the experiences of these immigrants, appreciate their contributions, and embrace the diversity that defines the Chinese American community today.

Remembering the past to shape a brighter future.

Remaking Chinese America: Immigration, Family, and Community, 1940-1965

by Xiaojian Zhao(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5018 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

FREE

In Remaking Chinese America, Xiaojian Zhao explores the myriad forces that changed and unified Chinese Americans during a key period in American history. Prior to 1940, this immigrant community was predominantly male, but between 1940 and 1965 it was transformed into a family-centered American ethnic community. Zhao pays special attention to forces both inside and outside of the country in order to explain these changing demographics. She scrutinizes the repealed exclusion laws and the immigration laws enacted after 1940. Careful attention is also paid to evolving gender roles, since women constituted the majority of newcomers, significantly changing the sex ratio of the Chinese American population.

As members of a minority sharing a common cultural heritage as well as pressures from the larger society, Chinese Americans networked and struggled to gain equal rights during the cold war period. In defining the political circumstances that brought the Chinese together as a cohesive political body, Zhao also delves into the complexities they faced when questioning their personal national allegiances. Remaking Chinese America uses a wealth of primary sources, including oral histories, newspapers, genealogical documents, and immigration files to illuminate what it was like to be Chinese living in the United States during a period that—until now—has been little studied.