Labor Immigration under Capitalism

Labor Immigration under Capitalism: Asian Workers in the United States Before World War II delves into the experiences of Asian immigrants in the United States and Hawaii before World War II, focusing on their roles as laborers in low-paying, physically demanding jobs and the systemic discrimination they faced. The book situates the history of Asian immigration within the broader political and economic developments of capitalism and imperialism, offering a theoretical framework to better understand their migration and treatment. Divided into three parts, the volume explores the conditions in the United States that created a demand for immigrant labor, the circumstances in Asian countries that spurred emigration, and the lives of immigrant workers, examining their occupations, community development, and class structures. It emphasizes the necessity of viewing this history through a socio-economic lens while addressing the gaps in existing literature.

Produced by a team of scholars at the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA, this volume represents years of collaborative research, including original studies and contributions from affiliated academics. The book begins with a theoretical introduction, followed by empirical analyses that highlight the unique dynamics of Asian immigrant labor. While acknowledging areas that require further exploration—such as U.S. imperialist policies and political movements among immigrants—the book provides a crucial foundation for future research on labor migration and its implications. With its rigorous approach and focus on historical context, this work is an invaluable resource for understanding the intersections of race, labor, and capitalism in the prewar United States.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1984.