This set of primary and secondary sources includes government documents, speeches, political cartoons, song lyrics, newspaper articles, pamphlets, and interviews that describe the reasons why the Canadian government passed the Chinese Immigration Act in 1885 that required Chinese immigrants to pay a $50 head tax.
Student Tasks
Why did the Canadian government pass the Chinese Immigration Act in 1885 that required Chinese immigrants to pay a $50 head tax?
Historical Context for Teachers
Early immigration and discrimination
The Royal Commission
Head tax introduced
Other discrimination
Redress
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