Chinese Immigrants Questions/Answers

1.       Why was it initially believed that there were no Chinese immigrants on the Island prior to 1891?

In 1891 the first hand laundry business was opened in Charlottetown by a Chinese man; his occupation and arrival time coincide with those of other known Chinese immigrants who arrived in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Based on these trends, there was no reason to believe otherwise.

2.       Why did historians fail to recognize that there had been an immigrant living on the Island prior to 1891?

Historians failed to recognize the first Chinese immigrant’s existence because she did not fit the “preconceived notion” of the 19^th century Chinese immigrant. She was not the head of an advertised business, she was not famous/infamous due to a newspaper headline, she did not have a Chinese name, and she came during an era when no Chinese immigrants were expected.

3.       How was the first Chinese immigrant’s existence discovered? Explain in detail.

Historians came across her name by chance among materials not normally considered relevant for current research.  The first clue came from a diary entry of Henry Jones Cundall, a young land surveyor, who kept a diary from 1854-1909. In a 1856 entry he makes mention of the mistress of the House being “half breed Chinese and Portuguese”.

Historians believe Cundall’s account was credible because he travelled often and was a frequent guest at this particular household. He was also known as a competent and prudent man who would not make the above statement casually.

5.       Read the excerpt of the letter to the editor found in The Daily Examiner “That Chinaman” in 1891.

Thesis: Chinese immigrants are detrimental to both  the Island’s economy and its people.

Argument #1: Chinese immigrants take away work from other Islanders.

Argument #2: If you encourage or accept one Chinese immigrant, it will lead to the arrival of many more immigrants.

Argument#3: They will earn money and take it back to China with them.

Counter-argument:  The world is ‘wide and free’  and we could give Chinese immigrants a chance.

Rebuttal: By giving these people a chance you are depriving some of your own people a chance.

Does this editorial contain bias? Explain. Yes, it is obviously very biased and contains many negative stereotypes re: Chinese immigrants/people.

What does this editorial tell us about what life must have been life for Chinese Islanders during this time period?

Chinese Islanders obviously faced much discrimination and hardship during this time period. They were not readily accepted into Island society.

5.            List five reasons why Chinese immigrants often did not stay on the Island.

·         Immigrants were single males

·         Homesickness

·         They were living in an isolated area

·         New language

·         New culture

·         Discrimination/unfriendly environment

·         Numbers on PEI were so low that there were not large enough congregations to form a “Chinatown”

6.            What analogy is used to describe the fate of the Chinese Islanders. Explain.

The fate of Chinese Islanders was  not unlike that of mussels stranded near a sandy beach; they were ill-equipped to burrow in to the sand, and having no solid rock to cling to, many were either swept away by the waves or left parched in the sun.

6.    **Please note I made an error on your question sheet -- you need to know the Four Eras of settlement on PEI not in Canada:   Identify and explain the four eras of Chinese settlement on Prince Edward Island:

Era of Restricted Entry: 1891- -1923

·         Majority were from the Pearl River Delta region in southern China

·         Paid a hefty Head Tax

·         Profession was usually laundry or restaurant

·         Earliest may have worked for the CPR – almost no Chinese women came at this time

Era of Exclusion: 1923-1947

·         Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1923 – no admission for any Chinese (Not even dependants)

·         The few that came during this time period were from other parts of Canada (usually Montreal)

Transitional Period: 1947-1967

·         Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1947 (many restrictions remained)

·         A few dependants were allowed in, but Chinese population was still low

Era of Selective Entry: 1967-present

·         Universal Points System for approving prospective immigrants to Canada was adopted in 1967

·         New immigrants with various skills and backgrounds from different parts of China started arriving with their families