Transcontinental Railroad | The Iron Road | 5
In this episode of American History Tellers, the contributions of Chinese railroad workers are brought to light. For years, the crucial role played by these laborers in constructing the Transcontinental Railroad was whitewashed from the historical narrative. The discussion centers on how iconic images deliberately excluded Chinese workers and how milestone celebrations overlooked their sacrifices.
The episode delves into the challenges of recovering these workers' untold stories due to a lack of records. It also examines recent efforts to recognize the workers' legacy, including centennial commemorations and designation of historic sites. For the Chinese-American community, shedding light on this overlooked history strengthens their connection to the broader American story.
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1-Page Summary
The historical erasure and lack of recognition for Chinese railroad workers
The famous 1869 "golden spike" photograph at Promontory Summit excluded Chinese laborers, whitewashing their critical contributions, as Sue Lee points out.
Although the Central Pacific relied heavily on Chinese labor to build the railroad through the Sierra Nevada mountains, the workers were deliberately excluded from this iconic photo and relegated to the sidelines.
Chinese workers' contributions were long overlooked and undervalued in the official historical narrative.
The 1969 centennial celebration at Promontory Summit snubbed the Chinese Historical Society's efforts to honor the workers.
Despite fundraising to install commemorative plaques, Phil Choi of the Chinese Historical Society was denied a chance to speak at the centennial, reflecting the marginalization of Chinese Americans' role.
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor took steps to formally recognize the Chinese railroad workers, one of the first official acknowledgements.
Lee discusses the dangerous and difficult work done by Chinese laborers, dispelling assumptions that they were uneducated. She also notes how the cultural mandate for men's braids contributed to violence and the Chinese Exclusion Act.
The challenges in recovering the history and stories of Chinese laborers
Lack of historical records and documentation
Lee points to the lack of individual documentation, as workers were hired in groups. Names were recorded inconsistently, and personal accounts are scarce, obscuring individual stories and hardships like workplace deaths.
Descendants of Chinese railroad workers and their role
Oral histories shared by descendants have become crucial sources, highlighted in works like "Voices from the Railroad" that help fill historical gaps left by the lack of written records from workers themselves.
The recent efforts to commemorate and preserve the legacy
The 2019 sesquicentennial commemoration marked progress in acknowledging Chinese workers' role, as Sue Lee narrates.
The event contrasted with prior commemorations by featuring descendants like Kana Young Yoo as speakers. Efforts are underway to designate sites like the Summit Tunnel Camp as National Historic Landmarks.
The legacy inspires Chinese-Americans' sense of history and identity.
For many, the railroad project represents a "Plymouth Rock" origin story. Steps to recover this history strengthen the community's connection to its place in the American narrative.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your family's heritage to connect with historical narratives similar to those of the Chinese railroad workers by interviewing older relatives and compiling a family history document. Start by asking about stories passed down through generations, significant events, and the roles your ancestors played in local or national history. Document these accounts and consider how they might mirror or differ from the recognized historical narratives.
- Create a visual art piece that represents an overlooked historical narrative you care about, using mixed media or digital tools. For example, if you're moved by the story of the Chinese laborers, you might create a collage that juxtaposes the "golden spike" photograph with images representing the contributions of these workers. This can be a personal project or something you share on social media to raise awareness and spark conversations.
- Engage with local history by visiting nearby historical sites, monuments, or museums, and critically assess the stories they present. Take notes on which groups or individuals are highlighted and which might be missing from the narrative. Afterward, research to uncover the untold stories of the area and share your findings with friends or through a blog post to contribute to a more inclusive historical understanding.
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The historical erasure and lack of recognition for Chinese railroad workers
The Chinese laborers who played a critical role in constructing the Transcontinental Railroad are often overlooked in American history, and their contributions have been notably absent from iconic imagery and commemorative events.
The famous 1869 "golden spike" photograph at Promontory Summit excluded Chinese laborers, whitewashing their critical contributions.
In the well-known photograph commemorating the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit, the Chinese workers—who were fundamental to the railroad's construction—are conspicuously absent. Despite the Central Pacific railroad's heavy reliance on their labor, they were not included in the famous "golden spike" photo. Sue Lee points out that the workers are also missing in another photograph where, despite careful examination under a microscope, only one or two can be distantly seen with their backs to the camers. During the event, the Chinese workers stood to the side and were even ushered further away by the photographer's assistant, symbolically and physically marginalized from a historic moment they helped forge.
Initially, the Central Pacific did not favor hiring Chinese workers, deeming them fit only for light work. However, their capability was soon recognized, leading the Central Pacific to actively recruit more Chinese laborers, even sending agents to China for this purpose. On the day of the photograph at Promontory Summit, the Central Pacific had only a small number of workers, including a few Chinese, on site because most were sent back to clean up the rail line as the Union Pacific was late. There, an eight-man Chinese gang worked on nailing the last tie and cleaning up but were deliberately excluded from the celebratory image.
Chinese workers' contributions to the Transcontinental Railroad were long overlooked and undervalued in the official historical narrative.
The 1969 centennial celebration at Promontory Summit snubbed the Chinese Historical Society's efforts to have a representative speak and install commemorative plaques, reflecting the broader marginalization of Chinese Americans' role in this pivotal achievement.
The marginalization continued even a century later during the 1969 centennial celebration when Phil Choi, head of the Chinese Historical Society, was snubbed at Promontory Summit. Although the Society had fundraised for memorial plaques to honor the Chinese workers' contributions, and Choi was originally invited to present a plaque, upon arrival he was told there was no time for him in the schedule. This insult was further aggravated by priority given to celebrity John Wayne's promotional needs for his film "True Grit" over the historical recognition of the ...
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The historical erasure and lack of recognition for Chinese railroad workers
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your local history to uncover and share stories of marginalized groups who contributed to its development. Start by visiting your town's historical society or library to research the contributions of minority groups in your area. Once you've gathered information, create a simple blog or social media page to share these stories, ensuring that the contributions of these groups are recognized and appreciated within your community.
- Encourage inclusive storytelling by writing a letter to textbook publishers or educational content creators. Highlight the importance of representing all contributors in historical narratives, using the example of the Chinese railroad workers as a case point. Suggest that they review their materials to ensure they include diverse perspectives and contributions, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of history for future generations.
- Create a visual art project th ...
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The challenges in recovering the history and stories of Chinese laborers
Reconstructing the stories of Chinese laborers who worked on America's transcontinental railroad has been historically difficult due to scarce records and personal narratives. Recent efforts by descendants have been crucial in preserving and sharing these legacies.
Lack of historical records and documentation
The historical record-keeping practices associated with Chinese railroad workers pose significant obstacles for researchers.
Lack of documentation of individual stories
Sue Lee points out the challenges faced when trying to uncover the specific stories and contributions of these workers. Many workers were hired in gangs, often of about 30, and stayed together, which resulted in documentation often reflecting the group rather than individuals. These gangs would work for varied durations—months or even a season—and then could move on, making tracking individual histories difficult. The lack of specifics or details about these Chinese laborers in historical records hinders efforts to identify individual contributions.
Additionally, Chinese names were typically recorded with a prefix "Ah" followed by a nickname or a shortened version of their name, further complicating the tracing of individuals. Sue Lee notes that these workers came from diverse professions and understood teamwork, but their individual stories were not documented. The lack of personal accounts, diaries, or letters from the workers themselves further obscures their perspectives and experiences.
Challenges in recognizing contributions and hardships
The workers' organization into groups complicates the recognition of individual experiences. Sue Lee discusses the summit tunnel built by Chinese workers, where the craftsmanship is evident in the lack of mortar between the rocks, but she emphasizes the absence of records of the workers' deaths, with estimates of 1,000 to 1,200 fatalities coming from records of bones shipped back to China. This absence of detailed records makes it hard to document their personal narratives and sacrifices.
Descendants of Chinese railroad workers and their role in historical preservation
Descendants of Chinese railroad workers have significantly contributed to preserving the history and stories of their ancestors.
Oral histories as a source of information
Oral histories ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The challenges in recovering the history and stories of Chinese laborers
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can start a digital storytelling project by creating a simple blog or social media page dedicated to collecting and sharing stories from your own family history or community. Begin by interviewing older relatives or community members, asking them to share stories and memories, and then post these narratives online with relevant photos or artifacts. This creates a living archive that contributes to preserving personal and communal legacies, much like the descendants of the Chinese railroad workers have done.
- Engage in a "name recovery" initiative within your community by researching historical documents, such as census records or immigration papers, to uncover the stories behind the names. This could involve visiting local archives, libraries, or historical societies to gather information and then sharing your findings through a community newsletter or local history group. This helps to humanize historical figures whose identities may have been obscured or anonymize ...
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The recent efforts to commemorate and preserve the legacy of Chinese railroad workers
With the 2019 sesquicentennial commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion, there has been a concerted effort from the Chinese-American community and historians to ensure that the critical role played by Chinese laborers is recognized and their legacy is preserved.
The 2019 sesquicentennial commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion marked a significant milestone in recognizing the Chinese workers' central role.
The 2019 commemoration allowed the Chinese-American community to come together, with Sue Lee narrating how this event was instrumental in acknowledging the Chinese laborers' contributions. The celebration served to contrast with prior commemorations, such as the centennial, where their role was not adequately recognized. Kana Young Yoo, a descendant, spoke at the 150th anniversary at Promontory Point during this pivotal event.
The event at Promontory Summit and efforts to preserve an important site
Witnessing Connie Young Yu walk across the stage in front of an audience of 25,000-30,000 people at Promontory Summit was a poignant moment, representing a public acknowledgment of the contributions made by these workers. Additionally, the ongoing efforts to designate the Summit Tunnel Camp as a National Historic Landmark are critical in preserving this important physical site, protecting it from further neglect and desecration. Sue Lee raises concerns about graffiti on the concrete snow sheds, seeing it as desecration of the work of those who built the tunnels, highlighting the efforts to protect and respect these sites.
The legacy of Chinese railroad workers continues to inspire and inform the Chinese-American community's sense of identity and history.
For many Chinese Americans, the Transcontinental Railroad project and the sacrifices made by their ancestors serve as a "Plymouth ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The recent efforts to commemorate and preserve the legacy of Chinese railroad workers
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your own family history to connect with the broader narrative of your heritage, much like the descendants of the Chinese railroad workers. Start by interviewing older relatives, collecting old photographs, and researching genealogical records to piece together your ancestors' stories. This personal connection to history can foster a deeper understanding of your identity and the contributions your family has made to society.
- Create a visual art piece, like a collage or a painting, that represents the contributions of a group you feel is underrecognized in history. Use symbols, images, and colors that reflect their achievements and struggles. Displaying this art in your home or sharing it on social media can be a powerful statement of acknowledgment and a conversation starter about historical inclusivity.
- Write a letter to your local government r ...
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