Chinese immigration - 19th century
Immigration to china
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After the Chinese people's decision to mass immigrate to Canada in 1858 due to the gold rush (explained in sub category, ''Pull' factors of Canada'), the Chinese had to activate their plan (explained in paragraph 4 of 'Pull' Factor of Canada'). But as a recap from earlier, their plan was to go to Canada for the Fraser Gold Rush. The Chinese would gain gold. With the gold, they would either go back to China with riches, or they could send the gold back to China for their family, and they would stay in Canada for work. After the gold rush, the Chinese people would work for the C.P.R. (explained more about C.P.R.'s effect towards the Chinese people in section "Chinese Impacts Towards Canada'). After the C.P.R.'s completed construction, the Chinese would have a normal 'life'. But before all the arrival of the Chinese towards Canada, the Chinese had to experience the 'loveliness' of the travel, which was the ship that traveled the Chinese towards Canada.
Well, the travel to Canada may have not been in good quality. The ships were steamships and they were quite big. But, they would not be considered 'big', if you compare the amount of Chinese immigrants' immigration to Canada and the area of walking space of the steamships. When the Chinese had to travel in steamships. They spent an immense majority of the time in the basement (or the most bottom level of the ship). The people were crammed into the basement and they had low space for movement with completely closed hatches. The people were standing shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee. Also, that meant that human disposal was in the area, resulting bad ventilation (thanks to closed hatches). The only time that the Chinese was actually not in the basement were during meal times. The people ate their meals on the deck, and they got their chance of respiration of fresh air. The Chinese had to be in claustrophobic positions with bad ventilation for such a long time due to the travel time from Asia to North America. Eventually, the Chinese got to Canada and they got to work. They would work in the Gold Rush and the C.P.R. But, those two topics will be said in other sections. Luckily, the next topic will explain what the Chinese life was after the construction of the C.P.R., at a certain extend (due to the fact that someone else focuses more on this topic).
Well, the travel to Canada may have not been in good quality. The ships were steamships and they were quite big. But, they would not be considered 'big', if you compare the amount of Chinese immigrants' immigration to Canada and the area of walking space of the steamships. When the Chinese had to travel in steamships. They spent an immense majority of the time in the basement (or the most bottom level of the ship). The people were crammed into the basement and they had low space for movement with completely closed hatches. The people were standing shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee. Also, that meant that human disposal was in the area, resulting bad ventilation (thanks to closed hatches). The only time that the Chinese was actually not in the basement were during meal times. The people ate their meals on the deck, and they got their chance of respiration of fresh air. The Chinese had to be in claustrophobic positions with bad ventilation for such a long time due to the travel time from Asia to North America. Eventually, the Chinese got to Canada and they got to work. They would work in the Gold Rush and the C.P.R. But, those two topics will be said in other sections. Luckily, the next topic will explain what the Chinese life was after the construction of the C.P.R., at a certain extend (due to the fact that someone else focuses more on this topic).
After the completion of the C.P.R., many Chinese went back to China, only if they were rich enough. So, many Chinese people decided to stay in B.C. to work. Work in British Columbia was not difficult, due to many available jobs. Some jobs that many Chinese workers did were: mining, labouring, gardening, cooking, working in fish canneries (fishing was not available to due to laws) and serving (as in serving guests). But, some people decided to move east along the Canadian Pacific Railway to create new settlements and work. Unless you wanted to not work in a business, you could have made a new business. Some new businesses that the Chinese people opened were focused on: cleaning laundry, selling groceries, and serving food in cafés. The Chinese would then spend most of their lives working, just so they could make money to send to their families (and to support themselves).
Immigration to Canada was pretty difficult for the Chinese people. Labour work was the only way to make money, but money was not easily earned due to low salaries. The main jobs that the Chinese did were during the gold rushes (Fraser and Cariboo) and the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. After the completion of the C.P.R., the Chinese people had to apply for other jobs. The Chinese people would easily apply into jobs (later on it was difficult due to racist laws), and they would spend most of their lives working, just so they could barely support themselves, as well as their family back in China.
Immigration to Canada was pretty difficult for the Chinese people. Labour work was the only way to make money, but money was not easily earned due to low salaries. The main jobs that the Chinese did were during the gold rushes (Fraser and Cariboo) and the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. After the completion of the C.P.R., the Chinese people had to apply for other jobs. The Chinese people would easily apply into jobs (later on it was difficult due to racist laws), and they would spend most of their lives working, just so they could barely support themselves, as well as their family back in China.
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But, there was a problem. After the construction of the C.P.R., the former employees were left unemployed (as well as businesses left bankrupted after losing their sole purpose was to help supply the employees supplies. From the failing economy of B.C. as well as hosting the unemployed workers of the Canadian Pacific Railway, especially with Chinese workers, the province was in jeopardy. As a swift response, they implemented the Head Tax towards the Chinese people. The Head Tax was the first law that was against a ethnic group in Canada (and the start of the wave of laws against Chinese people). The Head Tax was a law that forced Chinese people to play $50 per entrance by a Chinese person. The purpose of the law was to discourage Chinese people to immigrate to Canada. But, that really didn't stop the immigration rates made by the Chinese. So, Canada made another adjustment to the Head Tax at the start of the 20th century (1900). The price raised to $100. But, the price raise had no major effect to immigration of the Chinese people. In 1903, the price was raised again to $500. The price made the immigration rate slow and steady. But, there was still immigration of Chinese people. From the Head Taxes to Chinese people, it also influenced countries to apply Head Taxes. Some countries included: the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. In 1923, there was the Chinese Immigration Act to further more disrupt Chinese Immigration. The act was basically denying Chinese people to come to Canada, unless they were merchants, students, or diplomats. Any trips to China that took longer than 2 years resulted in rejection to enter Canada. Also, registration of identification cards were made of any Chinese people entered to Canada, even if they were born in Canada. Eventually, the act was repealed in 1947, but the Head Tax was still in effect. Only until 2006 that the Head Tax was removed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Survivors that paid the Head Tax received $20,000 CAD as an act of apology.
Many impacts and things were done towards the Chinese people. The Chinese people had impacted Canada with immigration, followed by a major help in the construction of the C.P.R. After the construction of the railway, the government of Canada started to hate the Chinese immigrants. So, many laws were implemented against the Chinese to stop immigration and the activities/jobs for the Chinese people. Eventually, the government of Canada had to repeal the laws against Chinese as an act of apology. As a result, the Chinese people had major impacts towards Canada throughout time.
Many impacts and things were done towards the Chinese people. The Chinese people had impacted Canada with immigration, followed by a major help in the construction of the C.P.R. After the construction of the railway, the government of Canada started to hate the Chinese immigrants. So, many laws were implemented against the Chinese to stop immigration and the activities/jobs for the Chinese people. Eventually, the government of Canada had to repeal the laws against Chinese as an act of apology. As a result, the Chinese people had major impacts towards Canada throughout time.