“The Chinese are at the gates, how can we get rid of them? The Chinese are coming. How can we stop them?” (Law 23). America was not the most welcoming nation for Chinese immigrants who were mainly concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. Those who decided to immigrate to America, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, went through many difficulties such as legal discrimination, physical intimidation and violence, trying to live the supposed "American dream". Chinese immigration began around 1850. It began right after the California Gold Rush and ended with the signing of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. One of the reasons the Chinese came to America was that they wanted to make a big splash to send money to their poor families back home. They also thought of accumulating money and taking it with them to China. The main and most important reason why the Chinese emigrated was the economic difficulties in China due to the British rule over the country, after Britain defeated China in the Opium War of 1839-1842. The United States resented the Chinese for invading their borders. As one San Francisco newspaper put it: “Go to the front… and fight to hold the Pacific coast for the white race.” (32) Americans despised and condemned the Chinese because of their race. The way Chinese people dressed and styled their hair made Americans perceive them as not having proper gender roles. America had a big problem with Chinese because they were cheaper labor, so factory owners hired Chinese instead of Native Americans. Even if immigrants were considered physically unfit for work, they were still hired. Also, in the future, Americans blamed the Chinese for a severe depression that occurred... in the middle of paper... of the country or they were turned into slaves. The relationship between America and China became very tense during this period. But things were fine before the tension began. Mostly trade was carried out, but things are settled now. A group called the “Fly Tigers” assisted the Chinese in the war against Japan by also sending nearly 100 fighter planes to their aid. (Keesee 491) Both China and America agree that the relationship between the countries is in the best interest of the world. Now that the tension is over and there is no longer serious prejudice against Chinese immigration to America, people can live life peacefully. Since the Acts ended, America has been known as the “melting pot of the world,” welcoming all races and ethnicities. Although China's older generations had to survive a long time to achieve the "American Dream", now anyone has the freedom to achieve that goal.