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Katelyn Liu
Nebeker
AP Language and Composition
06 June 2023
Intention Essay
The United States is a diverse nation built upon the contributions of various immigrant
communities. However, due to a lack of comprehensive education, the history of Chinese
Americans remains largely unknown to many Americans. In her book Driven Out: The Forgotten
War Against Chinese Americans, Jean Pfaelzer educates and informs her readers about Chinese
American history through anecdotal experiences, historical context, and an analysis of the legal
framework.
Through anecdotal experiences, Pfaelzer further reinforces the idea that Chinese
American history was a lived reality, rather than an abstract concept. Personal stories of
individuals and communities, such as Chinese miners, bring history to life, allowing readers to
empathize with Chinese immigrants' struggles, triumphs, and resilience. In her description of the
Gold Rush, Pfaelzer writes about mobs of white farmers that raided Chinese tent camps to
remove them from areas left unoccupied by white settlers (Pzaeler 34-37). She also elaborates on
the abuse, murder, and assault of thousands of Chinese Americans that suffered throughout the
Gold Rush Era (Pzaeler 39). These individual experiences together create a broader picture of
anti-Chinese sentiment stemming from the Gold Rush era, further establishing the reality of
Chinese American history.
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In addition to personal narratives, Pfaelzer offers thorough historical context to help
readers understand the forces that shaped the Chinese American experience. Pfaelzer examines
the social, political, and economic climate surrounding anti-Chinese legislation. During the
“Radical Reconstruction Era,” Pfaelzer examines the West’s anti-Chinese sentiment and the
impact on California legislation (Pfaelzer 58). Pfaelzer recognized the poor economic state of
this era, the social culture that pitted Black Americans against Chinese Americans, and the
political culture that forced the Democratic Party to sanction assaults on the Chinese to gain
political support (Pfaelzer 59-60). By expanding on the broader context of Chinese American
history, Pfaelzer allows readers to grasp the complexities and challenges faced by this
marginalized group.
A crucial contribution to Pfaelzer’s book is her analysis of the legal framework that
perpetuated discrimination against Chinese Americans. In her study of the Page Act of March
1875, Pfaelzer underscores that this bill “sought to erase Chinese women from the social
cartography of the United States” (Pfaelzer 104). The workforce conditions of Chinese women
only worsened (Pfaelzer 106). Through this dissection, Pfaelzer highlights the systematic
oppression endured by Chinese Americans. Her analysis highlights the importance of
understanding the structural and institutional barriers that hindered the progress of Chinese
Americans in the United States.
Jean Pfaelzer’s book Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans, serves
as a powerful tool for informing and educating readers about the history of Chinese Americans in
the context of US history. Pfaelzer brings attention to the overlooked struggles, contributions,
and resilience of Chinese immigrants. Through anecdotal experiences, historical context, and an
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analysis of the legal framework, Pfaelzer educates her audience on a forgotten period of history.
By shedding light on history that has been absent in US history classrooms, Pfaelzer helps foster
a more comprehensive understanding of American history.
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Work Cited
Pfaelzer, Jean. Driven Out: The Forgotten War against Chinese Americans. Random House,
2007.