Oral Presentations
The Move to Chinese Labor in the Postbellum American South
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Claire Arcenas
Faculty Mentor’s Department
History
Abstract / Artist's Statement
1. The Move to Chinese Labor in the Postbellum American South
2.This paper investigates how Chinese labor was used in the postbellum American South to fill the void left after the Thirteenth Amendment ended African slavery in the region. It uncovers how southern planters sought to recuperate their losses following the end of the Civil War, and how the coerced labor of Chinese migrants helped meet the economic needs of the region. In doing so, this paper will assist readers in understanding the various strategies used by plantation owners, and how changes within the “coolie trade” affected the success of their experiments with Chinese labor.
3.The paper analyzes newspaper articles from the region, specifically from Georgia and the Carolinas as well as testimony from both southern plantation owners and Chinese laborers to understand what ideas were being considered, and to examine changing attitudes surrounding race and labor at the time. In addition, the paper engages with relevant legislation from the time which may have impacted how these experiments with labor came about, and how effective they were in their implementation.
4.This research furthers our understanding of the use and development of Chinese labor in the United States. Previous contributions to this field have largely focused on the discussion of Chinese labor related to the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and although this literature is crucial, it seems equally important to investigate the numerous other ways in which Chinese labor (both free and unfree) has shaped our country. This paper seeks to provide a fuller picture of attitudes toward race, labor, and political economy in the postbellum American south.
Category
Humanities
The Move to Chinese Labor in the Postbellum American South
UC 327
1. The Move to Chinese Labor in the Postbellum American South
2.This paper investigates how Chinese labor was used in the postbellum American South to fill the void left after the Thirteenth Amendment ended African slavery in the region. It uncovers how southern planters sought to recuperate their losses following the end of the Civil War, and how the coerced labor of Chinese migrants helped meet the economic needs of the region. In doing so, this paper will assist readers in understanding the various strategies used by plantation owners, and how changes within the “coolie trade” affected the success of their experiments with Chinese labor.
3.The paper analyzes newspaper articles from the region, specifically from Georgia and the Carolinas as well as testimony from both southern plantation owners and Chinese laborers to understand what ideas were being considered, and to examine changing attitudes surrounding race and labor at the time. In addition, the paper engages with relevant legislation from the time which may have impacted how these experiments with labor came about, and how effective they were in their implementation.
4.This research furthers our understanding of the use and development of Chinese labor in the United States. Previous contributions to this field have largely focused on the discussion of Chinese labor related to the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and although this literature is crucial, it seems equally important to investigate the numerous other ways in which Chinese labor (both free and unfree) has shaped our country. This paper seeks to provide a fuller picture of attitudes toward race, labor, and political economy in the postbellum American south.