Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Msu Libraries: Digital Collections: Asian America
A collection of primary source documents and books that detail the racial discrimination Chinese and Japanese immigrants faced in the U.S. during America's involvement in the Second World War. One report from 1877 looks at Chinese...
Other
An Exploration of Historic Prejudice: The Chinese
The Chinese began coming to British Columbia in the mid-1800's. They suffered terrible abuse during their voyages to get there and much discrimination afterwards, often forced to work in dangerous conditions. Many of them sought gold...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Rutherford Birchard Hayes: Foreign Affairs
Dealing with foreign affairs was relatively easy for Rutherford B. Hayes. Find out about the conception of the Panama Canal at this time.
Other
Wyo History: The Rock Springs Massacre
Read this very detailed description of the Rock Springs Massacre and the circumstances that led up to it. Find out why Chinese immigrants became the focus of hatred and discrimination.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: Chinese Laborers and Construction of the Central Pacific
An article from the Utah Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, by George Kraus, recounts the decision to use Chinese laborers in building the Central Pacific Railroad. Many primary source documents included as well as supplemental direct quotes in...
California Digital Library
Loc: The Chinese in California 1850 1925
Excellent overview of the Chinese experience in California complete with historical photos and primary documents. Site provides information on San Francisco's Chinatown, the anti-Chinese Movement, and Chinese laborers.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Land of Golden Dreams: Li's Journey: China to California
Li is a 14-year-old boy from Guangdong, China, who travels to California during the Gold Rush. Read about his journey on a sailing ship from Southern China to San Francisco. Along the way experience, the sights and sounds of sea travel...
Library of Congress
Loc: Immigration
A content-rich site and Library of Congress "Featured Presentation" that looks at the immigration experiences of Americans from many backgrounds and countries. Includes activity suggestions and resources, online immigration vocabulary...
Harvard University
Open Collections Program: Immigration to the United States, 1789 1930: Timeline
A broad look at immigration policy, its changes, and the numbers of immigrants arriving in the United States from its beginnings until 1940. Included are hyperlinks to primary sources related to the topic in the Harvard University Library.
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
Alberta Online Encyclopedia: The Chinese Settlement
A fascinating, authoritative look at the settlement of Alberta by Chinese people. Includes a good collection of links.
PBS
Pbs: Becoming American: The Chinese Experience
This site from PBS presents the journey of the Chinese immigrant from a historical perspective. Current day immigrants discuss the experience of living with two cultures.
Other
Object of History: Chinese Miners (Chinese Immigration During the Gold Rush)
An image is provided of "Gan Saam Meets El Dorado," which depicts the Chinese miners in California during the 1850s in search of gold.
Other
Brown Quarterly: The Chinese and the Transcontinental Railroad [Pdf]
From The Brown Quaterly (1997) an article describing the role of the Chinese immigrant in building the railroad. Includes images of the Chinese railroad workers. (PDF - scroll down to page 7)
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Immigration: Framing Soo Hoo Lem Kong
[Free Registration/Login Required] This resource presents a primary lesson plan that looks at primary sources to learn about Chinese immigration to California.
Other
Asia/canada: Meeting of Cultures
Asians immigrants have had to battle hardship and prejudice to make new lives for themselves in Canada. That path is described here as well as the defining moments that politicized Chinese Canadians and acted as catalysts towards...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Immigration Through Angel Island
The sources in this primary set use documents and images to reveal the story of Asian immigration through Angel Island. Includes teaching guide.
Other
The History of the Chinese in Canada
This site gives an overview of the history of Chinese immigration to Canada accompanied by historical photographs. One section is devoted to the life of Jean Lumb who became a leader in the Chinese community. Another section describes...
Other
Ancestors in the Americas
The companion site to a television documentary on Asian immigrants. Watch movie clips and read quotes from actual immigrants.
Other
Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation: The Peopling of America Timeline
A history of immigration timeline, which discusses and illustrates periods of U.S. immigration history, pre-1790 through 2000.
Curated OER
China Labour, Cprr Payroll, March, 1865
An article from the Utah Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, by George Kraus, recounts the decision to use Chinese laborers in building the Central Pacific Railroad. Many original documents.
Curated OER
1852 California Census, Page 194
An article from the Utah Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, by George Kraus, recounts the decision to use Chinese laborers in building the Central Pacific Railroad. Many original documents.
Curated OER
Advertisement in the Pacific Railroad Gazetteer, 1870.
An article from the Utah Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, by George Kraus, recounts the decision to use Chinese laborers in building the Central Pacific Railroad. Many original documents.
Curated OER
Unidentified Chinese Man
The lesser-known story of the Chinese building of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona.
Curated OER
Unidentified Man in Traditional Dress
The lesser-known story of the Chinese building of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona.