Final answer:
Chinese immigrants came to America primarily for economic opportunities, including the Gold Rush and jobs on the Transcontinental Railroad, despite facing significant discrimination and hardships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason why Chinese immigrants came to America was the pursuit of economic opportunities. The lure of the Gold Rush and the need for laborers for the Transcontinental Railroad attracted many Chinese men in the mid-nineteenth century.
Additionally, they sought manual labor jobs such as mining and agricultural work. Despite facing discrimination and hardships such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and special taxes, these immigrants persevered in hope of improving their lives and supporting their families back in China.