To understand the experience of Chinese immigrants to the United States in the mid-19th century, it is necessary to look at the intellectual, economic, and political climate of the times. Many of the issues that were important then are still part of the current discussion concerning political and economic effects of immigration and whether peoples who do not come from European stock are true Americans.

There are many aspects of the Chinese experience in the United States that are not explored in this unit -- daily life in Chinese communities for example. References are provided for a number of Chinese American museums and organizations around the country that have web sites that provide this and other kinds of information that would round out and extend the material provided in this unit.