CHINA

"In a time of destruction, create something."
— Maxine Hong Kingston

Chinese Americans are the largest ethnic group of Asian ancestry in the United States. By 2017, 168,323 of them resided in New Jersey, making them the second largest Asian origin group in the state. But their history dates back to the nineteenth century, a time when the United States went through a period of great upheaval, reinvention, and expansion. The Chinese people were first lured by the great Gold Rush of the 1850s. After that, they played a pivotal role in building the first transcontinental railroad. Although they are largely erased from our history, Chinese Americans have an unequivocal role in shaping the country and the American identity.

Getting Ready for the Year of the Pig (CC BY-NC 2.0)

2012 Argyle Chinese New Years Parade. Chinese New Year Parade with traditional dragon dances, lion dances, elaborate floats, martial arts teams and a marching band. (CC BY-NC 2.0)

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

1937

Japan's Comfort Women

1945

1958

Nanking Massacre

The War Brides

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1965

Great Chinese Famine

1965

Immigration and Nationality Act

1966

Chinese Cultural Revolution

2020

COVID-19 Anti-Asian Sentiment

The Opium Wars

Taiping Rebellion

California Gold Rush

Chinese Americans and the Transcontinental Railroad

Chinese Exclusion Act

Second Sino-Japanese War

The Chinese Civil War

Northwest China Famine

A TRAUMA-INFORMED EXPLORATION of ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY

CHINA

"In a time of destruction, create something." — Maxine Hong Kingston

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

CLICK ON AN EVENT ABOVE TO LEARN MORE...

The Opium Wars

1839-60

As the western imperial powers of the 19th century—Great Britain, France, and the United States—became further embroiled in the opium trade with China, smuggling and addiction wreaked havoc in China. Learn more about the Opium Wars.

Taiping Rebellion

1850-64

With a death toll of 20 million—although, one source suggests that casualties amounted to 70 million—it was world history's deadliest and bloodiest civil war. Learn more about the Taiping Rebellion.

California Gold Rush

1851-76

Chinese immigrants left a land of war and starvation for another that promised gold and opportunity. However, as the gold started to deplete, so did the hospitality of the Americans. Learn more about the California Gold Rush.

Chinese Americans and the Transcontinental Railroad

1863-69

Chinese Civil War

1927-49

A grapple for control between the Nationalists and the Communists began in 1927 over the legitimacy as the government of China. Learn more about the Chinese Civil War.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882-1943

"The Chinese must go!" In response to growing racial hostility, Congress passed a federal law that prohibited immigration of Chinese laborers, making Chinese immigrants the first illegal, undocumented immigrants. Learn more about the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Northwest China Famine

1928-30

While millions of Chinese civilians were plagued by drought and famine, warlords and government leaders prioritized their own supplies over the common good. Learn more about the Northwest China famine.

Japan's Comfort Women

1932-45

Stolen, kidnapped, and forced from their homes to become military sex slaves, these` women's stories are some the most underrepresented atrocities that came out of the World War II era, Learn more about Japan's comfort women.

Nanking Massacre

1937-38

At the precipice of World War II, the Japanese imperial army invaded China and engaged in a gruesome campaign of ravaging and mass killing. Learn more about the Nanking Massacre

Second Sino-Japanese War

1937-45

After nearly half a century of culminating Japanese aggression toward China, China fought against Japan's imperial army for eight years. In spite of the odds against Japan's superior military, China refused to surrender any more territory. Learn more about Second Sino-Japanese War

The War Brides

1945-48

To escape the devastation left behind by war and military occupation, many women married American servicemen and immigrated to the United States. Learn more about the war brides.

Great Chinese Famine

1958-61

For two years, China suffered the world's deadliest famine. More lives were lost during the man-made famine than World War II, and the insufferable hunger had led to widespread inhuman behavior. Learn more about the Great Chinese Famine.

Immigration and Nationality Act

1965

In response to the growing sentiment of the civil rights movement, the quota system based on national origin finally came to an end. Learn more about the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

Chinese Cultural Revolution

1966-76

During Mao Zedong's campaign to reassert his authority, China endured a decade of violence incited by political and social chaos. Learn more about the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

COVID-19 Anti-Asian Sentiment

2020

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of the coronavirus was accompanied by discrimination and xenophobic violence against Asian Americans. Learn more about the COVID-19 anti-Asian sentiment.

"In a time of destruction, create something."
— Maxine Hong Kingston

"The Chinese must go!" In response to growing racial hostility, Congress passed a federal law that prohibited immigration of Chinese laborers, making Chinese immigrants the first illegal, undocumented immigrants. Learn more about the Chinese Exclusion Act. 