California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary reason for the increased anti-Chinese sentiment during the late 1800s was the economic competition that arose after the completion of the railroad. The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, significantly changed the labor landscape in the western United States. Many Chinese immigrants had initially been brought to the U.S. for labor to help construct the railroad. However, once the railroad was finished, these workers, along with an influx of other Chinese immigrants, began to seek employment in various sectors, often accepting lower wages than their American counterparts.

This situation led to widespread resentment among white workers who felt threatened by the presence of Chinese laborers in the job market. They believed that the Chinese were taking jobs away from them and driving down wages due to their willingness to work for less. This economic anxiety was often exacerbated by broader economic difficulties and social changes, fostering a climate of hostility and leading to violent incidents and discriminatory legislation aimed at Chinese immigrants.

While other factors such as cultural differences, political dynamics, and immigration from other Asian countries played roles in shaping public sentiment, it was the perception of economic threat that primarily fueled the anti-Chinese sentiment of that era.