Chinese History

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

Chinese American Soldiers

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war against Japan. It was recorded that there were 4,000 Chinese Americans that fought in these wars with the U.S. Some, even used their fake age just so they can join the army. They wanted to join the army because they were touched by the war posters in the U.S. Also, they wanted to avenge their families deaths. There were even Chinese women that also joined the army. They were working everywhere in the U.S. Chinese Americans joined the 3rd and the 4th infantry in Europe and also joined the 62nd infantry in Asia and Pacific. Nearly 20% of them died on the battlefield.

There weren’t a lot of Chinese soldiers because President Roosevelt only allowed 105 Chinese people to come to the United States each year. So there were about 20,000 Chinese that joined the army, navy or air force. About 4,000 of them died. Only about 70 veterans from World War II that are Chinese Americans are alive to this day.

Throughout the whole war, mainly between the Chinese and the Japanese, Chinese Americans were a big part of World War II. It all started when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, which was on Americans soil. The Americans got made and immediately declared war against Japan. Since the Japanese were also fighting the Chinese, U.S decided to join forces with China to take down Japan. That was the turning point where a lot of Chinese people joined the U.S army.

As China and America joined forces, more and more Chinese people were being accepted as Americans. About twenty-two percent of all Chinese adult males were enlisted or participated in the war, while many others were employed in defense industries. Even the Chinese women were a big part of the war. Some went to San Diego and helped built B-24 bombs that were used in the war. As more and more Chinese Americans participated in the war, they suddenly wanted full equality. So President Roosevelt agreed and appealed the Chinese Exclusion Laws. He then made a law that allowed 105 Chinese people to come to America every year.

Source: Kim, Hyung-Chan. Asian Americans and Congress. CT: Greenwood Publishing Group Inc, 1996.