Canadian Pacific Railways and Chinese Immigration
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Questions and Answers

What was a primary concern of Canadians regarding Chinese immigrants?

  • That the Chinese would bring disease and sickness.
  • That the Chinese would take over the government.
  • That the Chinese would be unable to integrate into Canadian society. (correct)
  • That the Chinese would not contribute economically to the country.

    • Approximately how much money did the Canadian government collect from the head tax?

  • $23 million (correct)
  • $2.3 million
  • $2.3 billion
  • $230 million

    • Which Canadian Prime Minister issued an official apology and offered compensation for the head tax?

  • Stephen Harper (correct)
  • Jean Chrétien
  • Pierre Elliott Trudeau
  • Justin Trudeau

    • What does 'satire' mean in the context of the provided text?

    <p>A technique that uses humor or art to mock or challenge an idea. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many Chinese Canadians who paid the head tax were still alive to receive compensation in 2006?

    <p>Approximately 20 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately how many Chinese workers were hired to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway?

    <p>17,000 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the daily wage discrepancy between Chinese and white workers during the construction of the railway?

    <p>White workers earned $1.00 more per day than Chinese workers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What specific type of construction tasks were primarily assigned to Chinese workers during the railway construction?

    <p>They built bridges over rivers and worked in the Rocky Mountains. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year was the Chinese Head Tax first implemented by the Canadian government?

    <p>1885 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the initial amount of the Chinese Head Tax in 1885?

    <p>$50 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    By 1903, the Chinese Head Tax had increased to which amount?

    <p>$500 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group of people were exempt from the Chinese Head Tax?

    <p>Students, church staff, and scientists (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the motivation behind the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Act?

    <p>To reduce Chinese immigration due to racism and fear of job competition. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Chinese Head Tax

    A tax imposed on Chinese immigrants entering Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, intended to limit their influx.

    Satire

    A form of criticism that uses humor, exaggeration, or irony to expose and ridicule the flaws, hypocrisy, or absurdity of an idea, policy, or person.

    Formal Apology and Compensation

    A formal apology and compensation offered by a government or institution for past wrongs committed against a group of people. In this case, the Canadian government apologized for imposing the Chinese Head Tax and offered compensation to surviving victims.

    Chinese Exclusion Act

    A law enacted in 1885 that prohibited Chinese immigration to Canada. This discriminatory policy, coupled with the escalating head tax, effectively barred Chinese people from entering the country.

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    Canadian Pacific Railway

    The construction of a railway connecting Eastern Canada to British Columbia, a vast project that employed thousands of workers, including many Chinese immigrants.

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    Hardest and Most Dangerous Parts of the Railway Construction

    The difficult and dangerous sections of the railway construction, mainly involving traversing rivers and the Rocky Mountains. These sections were often undertaken by Chinese workers due to their experience and resilience.

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    Disparity in Working Conditions and Pay

    The disparity in working conditions and pay between Chinese and white railway workers. Chinese workers were paid significantly less and had inferior living conditions, a stark reflection of the discrimination they faced.

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    Anti-Chinese Sentiment

    The resentment and fear often directed towards Chinese immigrants, fueled by a belief that they would take jobs from white Canadians. This prejudice eventually led to the implementation of discriminatory policies targeting Chinese immigrants.

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    Ethnic Exclusion

    The practice of excluding or discriminating against individuals or groups based on their ethnicity, often rooted in fear, prejudice, and stereotypes.

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    Reasons for Anti-Chinese Policies

    Reasons behind discriminatory actions against Chinese immigrants, including fear of job displacement and social unrest. These anxieties often ignored the valuable contributions of Chinese workers who played a pivotal role in building the Canadian Pacific Railway.

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    Study Notes

    Building the Canadian Pacific Railways

    • The Canadian Pacific Railway connected Eastern Canada to British Columbia.
    • The construction of the railway began in 1881.
    • A significant labour shortage led to the hiring of Chinese workers to complete the most challenging sections of the railway. These included traversing rivers and the Rocky Mountains.
    • Chinese workers were paid $1.00 per day compared to white workers who earned close to $2.00 per day.

    Lesson Goals

    • The goal is to understand the historical context of the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act.
    • Analyze the effects of the head tax and exclusion act on Chinese immigrants and Canadian history.

    What is this Railway?

    • A railway that connects Eastern Canada to British Columbia.

    The Two Major Events

    • 1885: Chinese Head Tax was implemented.
    • 1923-1947: Chinese Exclusion Act. 2023 marked the 100th anniversary.

    Video Information

    Did You Know? (General Facts)

    • 17,000 Chinese people were hired to help build the railway, many of whom desired to return to China with earnings.
    • Chinese workers lived in boxcars and tents.
    • White workers' camps had better food and facilities.
    • A worker, Cheng Ging Butt, noted the racial segregation in the camps.

    Anti-Chinese Policies

    • After immigrating to Canada, many Chinese settled, but faced hardship and racism.
    • Many Canadians believed Chinese immigrants were stealing jobs.
    • The Chinese were perceived to be unable to assimilate into Canadian culture.
    • The Canadian government implemented a head tax.
    • The tax increased to $500 by 1903.
    • This was approximately $15,000 in today's value.
    • Certain groups such as students, church staff, and scientists were excluded from this tax.

    Why did the government implement this tax?

    • The text does not elaborate on the reasons for the tax. Questions regarding the purpose of the head tax are left to be explored.

    Did You Know? (Additional information)

    • The Canadian government collected $23 million from the head tax.
    • In 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized and offered to repay the head tax.
    • Only 20 Chinese Canadians were alive to collect the money.

    Historical Documents

    • Examples of immigration documents (certificates) for Chinese immigrants.

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    Related Documents

    Week 18 - The Chinese Head Tax PDF

    Description

    Explore the historical significance of the Canadian Pacific Railway and its connection to Chinese immigration in Canada. This quiz highlights the challenges faced by Chinese workers during railway construction and examines the impact of the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act on Canadian history.

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