AAA Guide
Asian American Studies: Portrait of Asian American History
Asian American studies will show that there has been a long and varied Asian American history that is imperative to understanding how the US views Asians now. We will start at the very beginning of the Asian American studies in order to help you understand the Asian American history we are discussing. The first Asian Americans were in Manilla, a village that was taken over by the USA. The first Asian Americans were also in Mexico rather than the US. It was not until the 1750's that the Asian American truly began on US soil.

During the 1750's Filipino sailors began to come from their native land and stop in the Louisiana territory. Then in the 1840's there was a need for more slaves. Since Africa wasn't offering as many slaves as they did at the beginning, many began to bring over Asians to fill the gap. Thus the start of the Asian American studies and therefore Asian American history shows that slavery was a key part to their past on US soil.

The first large scale immigration to the US was in 1848. During this time there was the Rush for Gold, which is why many of the Chinese began to come to the US. They wanted to find their fortune and return home wealthy. During Asian American history at this time they also had slaves. The Guangdong or Canton would come over offering to work in America as a way to get rich, but found themselves a victim of slavery for the more wealthy Chinese. Asian American studies do show that some of these individuals were able to escape their slavery, but many didn't find the wealth they wished for. In fact they went from finding gold in their Asian American history to working on the railroads in some of the most dangerous jobs just to be able to survive. Asian American studies are quite fascinating to see where it all began.

Now to move through to the next big section of Asian American studies and therefore Asian American history we have the 1950's. World War II brought a lot of fear into the US. During this part of Asian American history as well as Asian American studies it doesn't show the US in a good light. In fact this was one of the worst times in Asian American history. The Asian American studies of this time lay the ground work for today. During the 1950's Japanese and most Asians were interred within government buildings for questioning. They were suspected of being spies for their home country. It is these Asian American studies that mark the advancement for today. This Asian American history has set forth the need for affirmative action and equality changes. At the time the land of the free turned against the Asian American again. Now hopefully Asian American history and Asian American studies can help us move based on the fear and discrimination to allowing more advancement in the workplace, government and other areas for the Asians.

More Info - http://www.asian-nation.org/first.shtml