Information About Chinese Americans in the 1950s

Chinese Immigrants transitioning into American Life

• Upper-income, well-educated Chinese joined the Chinese American community
• The new wave included both Chinese-born and professionals
• They wanted to stay in the U.S. because they feared persecution in China
• The U.S. government viewed some Chinese immigrants with suspicion
• The government subjected some Chinese to harassment

Chinese immigrant way of life

• The Chinese immigrants that came to America before WWII, lived in poverty
• The immigrants that came after, lived in high-income mixed communities
• The earlier group operated small businesses,groceries, laundries, and restaurants
• The newer group had jobs such as: scientists, doctors, architects, educators, engineers

Chinese life

• Many Chinese immigrants lived in San Francisco China Town
• Many people were unable to make a living
• It was hard to survive

CHINESE IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS

• Made it so that Chinese women could join their Chinese American husbands
• Many Chinese Americans who married U.S. soldiers and marines began to arrive
• Many of them came with families
• Tightly knit Chinese American families replaced the "bachelor society"

CHINESE AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE

• Chinese Americans exposed their children to the Chinese culture
• Teaching them about respecting family and care for their elders
• They thought that American culture was odd because it pushed independence

Chinese Education

• The Chinese families made sure to prioritize education
• It was important to succeed and do well in school to make a better life for themselves