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) 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 ) Use the activity sheet “The fate of Woo Xi Feng” and complete the account by using one of the provided possible fates of Feng.