Chinese Migration in the Caribbean

Summary

Chinese immigrants and their descendants have had a visible and impactful presence in the Greater Caribbean since the mid-19th century. Within a larger context of global Chinese migration, tens of thousands of Chinese, mostly men, went to the region from the late 1840s to the early 1880s as indentured laborers in response to the decline of slavery. They primarily went to Cuba and the British West Indies, but they labored elsewhere too. Many suffered under exploitative conditions. Nevertheless, they laid a foundation for enduring Chinese communities. From the late 19th century through the Great Depression, a new period of Chinese immigration occurred. While still mostly men, they came more freely and more as merchants than laborers. These second-wave migrants continued processes of transnational Chinese community formation and integration. They did this in the face of rising anti-Chinese sentiment, including immigration bans. In the wake of World War II, anti-Chinese sentiment receded and Chinese individuals and communities became more integrated. Nevertheless, challenges remained. Throughout this history, Chinese immigrants and their descendants made important economic, political, and cultural contributions to the larger society.