The Chinese Tongs
1935
The Chinese who came to America after the gold strike soon formed the first units of the so-called companies. One of the first societies formed included the whole Chinese population in America. This was gradually broken into smaller groupings. Trade or craft organization also developed. It is uncertain when true fighting tongs first made their appearance. The real nature of the groups was frequently hidden, or fighting developed from a more legitimate and honorable purpose. The earliest protective tongs began as American forms of an Old China semi-political, semi-religious organization. Economic motives or the motives of group existence were the most important causes of tong violence. The tongs have long since modified their criminal activities and have developed benevolent-protective functions. In San Francisco tong wars ceased in 1921. Criminal tongs have had far-reaching effects is slowing down the process of cultural assimilation between Chinese and whites. The passing of the fighting tong marks a new...
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