Labor, Class and Race: The Incorporation of Asians into the US Economy and Society

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the integration of Asians into the US economy and the socioeconomic impacts of labor, class, and race.

Labor Market Segregation

The division of labor markets based on race or ethnicity, leading to unequal opportunities and outcomes.

Racial Subordination

The systemic oppression and disadvantage of racial minorities within societal structures.

Niche-Making

Creating specialized economic opportunities within a market for a particular ethnic group.

Ethnicity-Based Employment System

A labor market system that favors employment based on ethnic identities.

Reciprocity Treaty (1875)

An agreement that allowed for increased sugar production and labor migration between Hawaii and the US.

Labor Contractors

Middlemen who manage the employment of workers, often within specific ethnic groups.

Dual Labor Market

The division of the labor market into two segments, one of high wage and secure jobs and another of low wage and insecure jobs.

Central Pacific Railroad

One of the companies that constructed the first transcontinental railroad, heavily reliant on Chinese labor.

Agribusiness

Large-scale farming operations that often utilize immigrant labor.

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

A US federal law that prohibited the immigration of Chinese workers, targeting them specifically.

Hawaii Sugar Industry

The economic system in Hawaii focused on sugar production, primarily utilizing immigrant labor.

Transcontinental Railroad

A railway system that connected the eastern US to the West Coast, significantly impacting economic development.

Korean Labor Contractors

Individuals from Korea who facilitated the employment of fellow countrymen in various industries.

Tenant Farming

A system where farmers work land owned by another person and pay rent either in cash or as a share of crops.

Social Control

Mechanisms or strategies developed by groups to promote compliance and maintain order.

Feudal Employment Conditions

Work conditions that resemble historical serfdom, where laborers have few rights and are heavily indebted.

Working-Class Nativism

A political movement aimed at preserving the status and interests of native workers against immigrant labor.

Ethnic Solidarity

The unity and support among members of the same ethnic group, often in response to discrimination.

Racial Hierarchy

A social structure where individuals are ranked based on their race, impacting their socioeconomic status.

Plantation Labor System

An agricultural system that relies on a large workforce primarily from specific ethnic backgrounds.

Cultural Assimilation

The process whereby minority groups adopt the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

Industry Exploitation

The unjust use of workers in industries which often leads to low wages and poor working conditions.

Chinese Immigrant Experience

The collective socio-economic conditions and challenges faced by Chinese immigrants in the US.