One theory that relates to my proposal is that the main influencers of the immigrant experience in America have been stress and financial difficulties. My current research is related to the history of Chinatown and this theory perfectly relates to its history and development. When the Chinese came to the United States, like other immigrant groups, faced heavy stress from having to leave their families and coming across oceans to a new and far-off place. Additionally, many came for work and had little money, meaning they faced financial difficulties. These factors made immigrants more likely to be exploited as they were desperate for jobs and many faced discrimination for not being Western European-like. This discrimination led immigrant groups to band together for protection and familiarity as shown in ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown which I’m researching. Stress and financial difficulties also affected the development of Chinatown as bans on Chinese immigration and anti-Chinese sentiment essentially forced Chinatown to fend for itself; creating its own political structure and underground economy to protect its interests in the face of outside stress and financial difficulties imposed on it.

In short, the theory of stress and financial difficulties being the main driving force behind the immigrant experience in America is relevant to my research on Chinatown’s development over time. Anti-Chinese sentiment, immigration laws, and situational circumstances have induced stress and financial difficulties of Chinese immigrants in America and forced them to develop enclaves such as Chinatown both physically and politically to protect their own interests.