Ep. 173 | The Tong Wars of New York Chinatown (Part 3)
Laszlo presents the exciting conclusion to the China History Podcast’s 3-part series introducing the Tong Wars of New York’s Chinatown. After decades of crime and violence, things finally begin to settle down in Chinatown. But not entirely. If you enjoyed this series and would like to read more on the subject, check out the book by author Scott Seligman, “Tong Wars: The Untold Story of Vice, Money, and Murder in New York's Chinatown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017SCQKHY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_W31J8Q99P02YSSBVF3SA
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Boston | 李观长 | One of the top guys in the On Leongs |
| Chin Jack Lem | - | An On Leong whose defection to the Hip Sings sparked a Tong War |
| Chong Pon Sing | - | The president of the Hip Sings, bumped off by the On Leongs |
| Fong Foo Leung | - | the Hip Sing national president |
| Frank Moy | - | head of the Chicago branch of the On Leong’s |
| Gin Gum | - | Another high ranking On Leong and later right hand man to Tom Lee |
| Hip Sing Tong | 协勝堂 | The rival of the On Leongs, led by (but not established by) Mock Duck. |
| Hongmen | 洪门 | A secret society formed in China during the Qing who pined to restore the good old days under the Chinese Ming dynasty (as opposed to despised Manchu Qing). It later inspired other similar secret societies and fraternal organizations |
| Jiu Yi Ba | 九一八 | The Mukden Incident of September 18, 1931 |
| Kim Lan Association | 金兰公所 | A part of the Chee Kung Tong (Hongmen) made up of mostly Hip Sings |
| Lee Gee Min | - | Officer for the On Leong’s |
| Mock Duck | 麦德 | Top guy (but not the founder) of the Hip Sing Tong. Directed and took part in a lot of Chinatown violence |
| On Leong Tong | 安良堂 | The Tong led by Tom Lee |
| Tom Lee | 李希龄 | Chinatown elder credited with the formation of the On Leong Tong and other NY Chinatown organizations |
| Tung On Society | 东安会馆 | Another society made up mostly of seamen |
| Wanguo Jinyanhui huizhi | 万国禁烟会会址 | Meeting place of the International Opium Commission |
| weiji | 危机 | A crisis |
| Wong Get | 黄傑 | A Hip Sing everyman…Used by reforming politicians to rat out the On Leongs and by his fellow Hip Sing tong brothers to make things difficult for the On Leongs |
| Xinhai Revolution | 辛亥革命 | The event that toppled the Qing Dynasty in 1911 |
| Yee Toy | 余才 | A Hip Sing soldier involved in a few of their most daring hits |
| zhi baobuzhu huo | 纸包不住火 | An old Chinese saying that says “paper can’t wrap a fire”. Secrets are difficult to hide |
| Zhongguo Huiguan | 中国会馆 | The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association |
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