The Chinese immigrants worked for low wages and because of these low wages, they were unable to afford many commodities. Many people had to share a small room and since they were discriminated against so much, an act passed that each man had to occupy a certain amount of room to themselves. This added on to the many challenges that the Chinese immigrants already had.

Even with all the discrimination that the Chinese immigrants suffered, they built their own communities where they were able to feel safe. Many “Chinatowns” were built around the country especially in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. In these places, they would form education for themselves since integrated schools were not allowed (there has been many attempts to change this). "We are stangers in a strange country...We must have an organization (tong) to control our country fellows and develop our friendship" (Takaki 118). Many of these societies such as Kawng-tek-tong helped build the spirits of the Chinese immigrants.

With the communities they have built for themselves, their spirits increased and with these increased spirits, the Chinese began to stand up for themselves. One spring, the Chinese who worked for the first transcontinental railroad went on strike in order to increase their harsh wages. They receieved $31 a month but they demanded $45 and 8 hour days. After much suffering for those involved in the strike, the Chinese still did not get what they wanted but they needed to work and so they the strike was over. Even though they did not get what they wanted, it's the fact that they were able to stand up for themselves and their communties gave them the strength to do so.

Traditional celebrations were held such as the Lunar New Year in either January or February. Days before the New Year, each family would have to take part in a symbolic cleaning of their entire home. There would be no cleaning on New Year because it would symbolize cleaning away the good luck presented on this day. There would be a dinner for the family on New Year’s Eve where red envelopes packed with money would be exchanged. Many firecrackers and lion dances would welcome in the New Year. The Chinese also celebrated Spring festivals in April where they would visit the dead and present food and money to them. The Dragon Boat festival and the Mid-Autumn festival was also celebrated by the Chinese immigrants. For entertainment, there were Chinese operas and band performances. There were also many chances to play Chinese chess along with an extremely popular game, mahjong.

As soon as the Chinese immigrants arrived, many have attempted to convert them to Christianity, the main religion in the United States. However, majority of the immigrants stayed true to their own faith. Confucianism was an important religion that many Chinese followed. Moral conduct was greatly emphasized as various relationships were described and the proper way to act in the specific relationship. Taoism was another popular religion which surrounded its beliefs "...around a search for a long and serene life, to be attained through simplicity, tranquility, and harmony with nature" (Tsai 43). Another extremely important religion is Buddhism which is based on the road to nirvana. "Buddha taught that suffering results from desire; therefore, the goal of his religion is the extinction of desire, the end of pain, and entry into nirvana" (Tsai 43).

The whites have attempted to stop Chinese growth in the United States but they have failed because the Chinese were able to overcome the challenges presented to them and create a new culture in the country.
 

What would the United States be like without immigrants?

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