View photographs of Chinese labor camps and working sites, from the Library of Congress. Reflect on the challenges the workers faced.
Explore the daily life and working conditions of Chinese laborers on the railroad.
A group of Chinese immigrants standing together. From the Library of Congress.
Objective: Describe the living conditions in labor camps.
Workers often lived in tents or rudimentary shacks, forming tight-knit communities. These structures offered little protection from the elements, leading to leaks during rain and insufficient insulation against the cold. Despite these harsh conditions, the workers managed to create a sense of community within the camps, bringing elements of their culture and traditions with them, such as setting up makeshift kitchens to cook meals reminiscent of home.
To cope with isolation and harsh surroundings, Chinese laborers relied heavily on each other for support. They engaged in cultural practices, celebrated festivals, and practiced religious rituals, fostering solidarity and resilience that helped them endure daily challenges.
Harsh work conditions with very few breaks, as depicted in the image above. From PBS.
Objective: Explain the grueling nature of the work, including blasting through mountains, laying tracks, and working in harsh weather conditions.
In addition to physical demands, the mental strain was considerable. Constant dangers from explosives and unstable terrain meant frequent, often fatal, accidents. Workers faced landslides, falls from heights, and collapsing tunnels. The work environment was also marked by racial discrimination and poor treatment from supervisors, who often showed little regard for the safety and well-being of Chinese laborers. Despite these challenges, workers demonstrated remarkable perseverance, driven by the promise of wages to support their families and hope for a better future.
Objective: Discuss the risks involved, such as accidents from dynamite blasts, extreme temperatures, and inadequate medical care.
Health and safety conditions were deplorable. Risks included accidents from dynamite blasts, extreme temperatures, and inadequate medical care. Poor living conditions contributed to the spread of diseases, with inadequate sanitation and clean water leading to frequent illness outbreaks. Respiratory problems were common, exacerbated by dust and debris from constant blasting and digging. Malnutrition was another issue, as the diet provided was often insufficient in both quantity and nutritional value. Despite these dire circumstances, Chinese laborers showed incredible resilience, supporting each other through illness and injury, and finding ways to maintain their physical and mental health amidst overwhelming odds.
Day-in-the-Life Journal Entry: Write a journal entry from the perspective of a Chinese laborer, detailing a typical day's work and the challenges faced. Include specific details you've learned.
An example of a primary source you can bring! From Illustrating Chinese Exclusion.
Discussion: Reflect on your key takeaways and the components of the lesson you incorporated. Share your journal entry with a peer and discuss their thoughts and takeaways. For homework, research and bring to class a primary source (e.g., diary entry, letter) from a Chinese laborer.