Question

journeys to america
early asian immigration
early immigration and the gold rush
asian immigration dates back to the california gold rush, starting in the late 1840s.

• the discovery of gold in california in 1848 sparked the gold rush the following year as hopeful 49ers flocked to the area in an attempt to strike it rich.
• immigrants for the gold rush traveled across the pacific, inspiring many asians to travel to america to participate. this was especially true among chinese people.
• most failed to make it rich at the gold rush, and immigrants who had to restart their lives sought to utilize limited to agriculture, mining, and railroad work to make a living.

role of the railroad
railroad work became a staple of early chinese immigration to the u.s.

• while constructing the transcontinental railroad, the central pacific railroad actively sought out chinese immigrants for labor.
• chinese railroad workers were often worked partly and faced not dangerous jobs like mountain - grading through the sierra nevada mountains for low wages.

why did the central pacific railroad seek to hire chinese workers?
the company was able to receive government subsidies.
chinese workers were skilled with advanced machinery.
the company was able to pay chinese immigrants lower wages.

Explanation:

During the construction of the Central - Pacific Railroad, one of the main reasons the company sought to hire Chinese workers was that they could be paid lower wages compared to other laborers. There is no indication that the company received government subsidies specifically for hiring Chinese workers, and at that time, Chinese workers were not particularly known for being skilled with advanced machinery in the context of railroad - building. Lower wage costs were a significant economic incentive for the company.

Answer:

The company was able to pay Chinese immigrants lower wages.