Consider This from NPR The 'Chinese Exclusion Era' shows how Trump's mass deportation plan could unfold
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Dec 1, 2024 Explore the historical context of the Chinese Exclusion Era and its parallels with contemporary immigration policies. Discover how the rhetoric around job competition fails to consider the economic repercussions of mass deportation. Delve into the surveillance practices of the time, and examine how Chinese laborers significantly shaped America’s infrastructure. Finally, unpack the long-term impacts of exclusionary laws on labor markets and question the myth that deporting immigrants boosts the economy.
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Chinese Laborers and the Railroad
- Chinese laborers were crucial in building the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1800s.
- They comprised 90% of the workforce, performing dangerous tasks like tunneling and laying tracks.
Economic Downturn and Blame
- The completion of the railroad led to an economic downturn, impacting the western U.S.
- Some blamed Chinese workers for the economic hardship, leading to calls for their expulsion.
Surveillance of Chinese Residents
- A ledger book from the late 1800s documented Chinese residents in Sierra County with photos, descriptions, and updates on their status.
- It served as a form of government surveillance, chillingly noting departures or deaths.