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The Chinese in BC. 1850’s: went to Cali b/c of gold rush Came to BC b/c of Cariboo Gold Rush Prejudice and discrimination Options limited in BC b/c of racism Chinese miners started reworking abandoned claims 1833: 2,000 miners (1,500 Chinese)
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1850’s: went to Cali b/c of gold rush • Came to BC b/c of Cariboo Gold Rush • Prejudice and discrimination • Options limited in BC b/c of racism • Chinese miners started reworking abandoned claims • 1833: 2,000 miners (1,500 Chinese) • Opened general stores and restaurants in mining towns
1881: CPR labor shortage • Hired Chinese workers • b/t 1881 & 1885: 17,000 Chinese immigrants • 600+ Chinese workers died during 4 years of railroad construction
Life in the cities • Moved to Vancouver and Victoria to look for work • Renewed acts of discrimination and prejudice • Urban areas: heavy manual labor • Displaced White workers on some jobs
Lower wages • Social discrimination • Chinese seen as inferior, dangerous, incapable of assimilation • G’ment legalized racial discrimination • 1885: limits on Chinese immigration • $50 head tax • Limits on # allowed on each ship • Slowed immigration, didn’t stop it
Knights of Labour • Campaigned to have all Chinese removed from Vancouver • Intimidation and violence • Organized boycotts of business that sold goods to Chinese
Activity! • In partners or groups of 3, read the “Window on the Past” section (pp. 203-206) • Use the activity sheet “The fate of Woo Xi Feng” and complete the account by using one of the provided possible fates of Feng.