The Chinese Pioneers of Canada

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The Chinese people first immigrated to Canada in hopes of making a fortune to bring back to their homeland. Many of the first Chinese immigrants left in the 1860s because of the decaying Fraser River Gold Rush; the reason why the Chinese moved there in the first place. Building the Canadian Pacific railway required many people, something not available at the time. Many workers came from the United States, where they constructed the Union Pacific Railway. Canadians grew displeased by the growing amount of Chinese immigrants, who they felt lived far too differently. This was the start of the racism and hatred for the Chinese. Although the Chinese Pioneers were critical contributors to the advancement of Canadian society, they were never perceived in that way.

The Chinese did not immigrate only because of the new opportunities, despite the fact that Canada was a flourishing country. Political, social, and economic changes stimulated the immigration of Chinese to Canada. Their homeland, China, was growing to be an overpopulated country. From 1787 to 1850, the population of China skyrocketed from 16 million to 28 million. Natural disasters prevented successful harvests. Floods, earthquakes, and droughts ruined crops. Food supplies dwindled, leaving the Chinese citizens hungry, many dying of hunger. Famine became widespread. Many Chinese died from hunger and the plague. The Pearl River Delta, specifically, suffered from 7 typhoons, 14 floods, 4 earthquakes, 2 droughts, 5 famines, and 4 plagues. In addition, when China was defeated in the Opium War of 1842, five new international trading ports were opened. The new trading ports greatly weakened trade in China’s major southern port.

The sentiment held by residents of British Columbia ...

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...,” they helped assemble a foundation for what Canada is today.

Bibliography

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