Cost of Expanding Frontier:
Chinese Laborers in the Construction of the Transcontinental Railroads
Lasting Impact on the West
Anti-Asian policies and hatred eventually hindered the development of the West Coast. Culturally, the exile of Chinese people, starting in the 19th century, led to many Americans becoming xenophobic. Economically, because the Exclusion Act forced many Chinese laborers to leave the United States, the income for white laborers decreased drastically. Meanwhile, manufacturing, mining, and agricultural production shrank significantly. The economic loss severely damaged the West Coast until the 1940s. Stereotypes and prejudice toward Asian descendants have persisted until today.
Continued Impact Today
An image depicting the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony, mainly consisting of Asian Descendants. (National Public Radio)
Over 150 years since the Golden Spike Ceremony, thousands of descendants of workers gathered together to commemorate this paramount accomplishment. The overdue recognition of Chinese workers was eventually celebrated and recorded. As historian Sue Lee commented,
"It’s a cornerstone of Chinese-American history."
It's also the frontier of Chinese-American relationship.
Chinese descendants celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. (Union Pacific)