Final answer:
The correct answer is option .E. California has a history of importing labor when necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of labor in California during the construction of the transcontinental railroad highlights a particular aspect of the state's labor market. Workers from diverse backgrounds, including a large number of immigrants from China and Europe, came to America with hopes of earning decent wages. These workers, including the Irish and African American laborers recruited by the railroads, demonstrated that California has a history of importing labor when necessary, particularly when there was a need for large numbers of workers to take on projects such as building the railroad.
California-bound vessels stopping in South America led to the immigration of Peruvians and Chileans, and immigrants from further away such as Hawaii and Europe contributed to the state's diverse workforce. This labor force faced harsh conditions and low wages, which was a result of the high demand for labor and the prevalence of low-skill jobs that did not require extensive training.
The transcontinental railroad's reliance on imported labor demonstrates California's long-standing practice of turning to external sources of labor to fulfill its economic needs, especially during periods of rapid development and ambitious projects.