Chinese Immigrants and the Transcontinental Railroad

Discrimination and Hardships

The Burlingame Treaty of 1868 granted the Chinese immigrants the right to live in the U.S.  However, they were denied access to public education and citizenship rights.  The benefit of the treaty did not last as anti-Chinese feelings swept the nation.  

Chinese workers were treated unjustly and paid lower because of their race.  Chinese workers were paid approximately $24 to $31 a month, while the Irish workers were pad $35 a month.  In addition, the Chinese worked longer hours and paid for their lodging, food and tools while Irish and white workers were provided for.

An unsuccessful strike occurred on June 1867 in the Sierra Mountains as the Chinese workers demanded better working conditions, reduced workdays, and wages equal to the white men working alongside them.  As a result, the Central Pacific threatened them with violence and halted delivery of food.

In fall of 1865, Chinese workers started work on 15 tunnels, most of them located at high elevations.  Of those tunnels, the most difficult was the Summit Tunnel.  The tunnel went through solid granite, 1,659 feet long and 124 feet below the ground.  Progress on the tunnel was slow, 8 inches a day, with only shovels, picks and hammers.  Often the Chinese hung perilously from ropes and mountainsides, digging through solid rock to create tunnels.  Use of dynamite led to many accidental explosions.  Severe weather conditions during the winter such as blizzards and avalanches destroyed the Chinese workers' camps and killed many.  The blistering heat of the Nevada deserts also presented extremely hard working conditions.

Building snowsheds to protect the tracks from the heavy snowfall of the Sierra Mountains was extremely dangerous.  One family's story told of Hung Lai Woh's brother losing the use of his eye during one of their many blasting excursions.  Despite these challenges, the Summit tunnel was completed on November 30, 1867.

Completion and Recognition

With the help of the Chinese, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad companies were able to complete the railroad on May 10, 1869.  In celebration of this achievement, workers and representatives of the railroad companies gathered together at Promontory Summit, Utah to watch railroad financier Leland Stanford drive the final golden spike that would connect the rail lines.

When the workers and officials gathered for a group photo commemorating their success, one thing was clear:  no Chinese workers were invited to the ceremony, nor to the photo session, despite their tremendous contributions and sacrifices.

Recognition for the Chinese railroad workers was not to come for a long time.  We can find recent recognition of the Chinese railroad workers with their installation into the Federal Department of Labor Hall of Fame on May 9, 2014.  On the 145th anniversary of the railroad's completion, May 10, 2014, the descendants of these railroad workers congregated to recreate the iconic railroad photo.  Their actions hoped to grant their ancestors the recognition that had been deserved, but absent.  May 10, 2019 will mark the 150th anniversary of the installation of the Golden Spike, connecting East to the West.

Impact on American Culture & Society

The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad proved crucial to America's economic development.  Transportation changed dramatically.  Prior to the Transcontinental, there had only been three routes to the West, all of which were time consuming and unsafe.  With the Transcontinental, travel to the West was reduced from months to only 5-6 days.  America experienced an economic boom; more goods could be shipped at a faster rate from coast to coast, communication increased, and businesses could market to more people.  The railroad enhanced national unity and contributed to the United States' emerging dominance on the world stage.

Leland Stanford himself said, "Without [the Chinese], it would be impossible to complete the western portion of this great national enterprise, within the time required by the Acts of Congress." With the Chinese workers' diligence and sacrifice, the line was completed six years ahead of schedule.