Title: Asian-American History
Headings: Asian-American History
Asian-American History
From Chinese laborers in the 1800s to millions of U.S. citizens today
Gold Rush Boom
Violent Protests
Japanese Arrive
Contact with the Philippines
Japanese Internment
Increasing Numbers
Increasing Clout
A More Diverse Group

Content: Japanese Arrive
Meanwhile, increasing contact with Japan prompted Japanese to move to Hawaii and California to work in agriculture. In 1869 the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony was established in California. Contact with the Philippines
In 1899, following the Spanish-American War, the Philippines came under U.S. control, prompting increased immigration. In 1902, the pensionado program, which allowed Filipinos to study in the U.S., was implemented. Because most Filipinos are Roman Catholic, their integration into American life was somewhat easier than for other Asians. Though Filipinos faced the same prejudices as Chinese and Japanese laborers (as described in Carlos Bulosan's book America is in the Heart ), Filipinos arrived with English skills, making assimilation easier. Japanese Internment
During World War II, more than 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were placed in internment camps. Even though many did not speak Japanese or have close ties to Japan, they were nonetheless regarded as wartime threats. Although the U.S. was also at war with Germany and Italy, Americans with ancestors from those countries did not face internment. In 1988, Congress passed a measure giving $20,000 to Japanese Americans who had been interned during the war.