Lesson 2: Chinese Immigration to BC Blackline Master 1

Assessing Causes and Consequences of Chinese Immigration

by Time Period
Brielle Post WWII
Name: _________________ Chosen Time Period: ________________________

Part A: Period Summary

What can you tell about the experience of Chinese Canadians who came to BC in this
period? What evidence leads you to your conclusions about their experience? You will use this
description to teach your classmates about the period.

Experience
1. Chinese Canadians were being treated with more equity and were given some
opportunities that others had.
2. Family reunification was important to Chinese Canadians.
3. Chinese Canadians were more engaged in politics.
4. Violence was present in China.
5. Chinatown was significant to more than just Chinese Canadians, but other Canadians as
well.
6. People from Hong Kong became more prevalent in Vancouver and Toronto.
7. Canadian people in power apologized for racism and took steps towards reconciliation.

Evidence
1. This equity was shown by repealing the Exclusion Act, and the immigration policy opening
the door to Chinese immigration. However, they still used a "points system"
2. Family reunification was a significant priority for Chinese Canadians, more than 1000
families were separated (but during Exclusion Act it was a lot more). It was so significant
that they met with the Prime Minister to highlight the problem of family separation.
3. Chinese Canadians could be elected for roles in authority, and they now had the right to
vote.
4. More people moved to BC because of this Communist violence.
5. They made Chinatown a national historic district.
6. People in Hong Kong were worried about Hong Kong switching from British to Chinese
control so they went to Canada with billions of dollars of investment funds.
7. BC government issued an apology and refunded people who paid Head Tax.

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Lesson 2: Chinese Immigration to BC Blackline Master 1

What are the most important causes of the List evidence from your archive package.
pattern of immigration from China to BC
during this period?

- Escaping from Communism and war Immigration to BC: Then and Now
- Seeking political, economic stability Fact Sheet: Key Issues and Events
- Chinese people in Hong Kong apprehensive Quote Sheet (Example of the need of family
of Hong Kong switching from British to reunification)
Chinese control
- Family reunification
- Immigration policy opening the door to
Chinese immigration.

What were the most important List evidence from your archive package.
consequences of the pattern of immigration
from China to BC in this period?

- Chinese people found peace in BC Immigration to BC: Then and Now

- Chinese people gained political and Fact Sheet: Key Issues and Events
economic stability in Canada Quote Sheet
- Entrepreneurs from Hong Kong started
financial endeavours in Canada and came to
Canada with billions of dollars of investment
funds.
- Many Chinese people came to reunite with
their family in Canada.
- New Chinese immigrants rose from 876 in
1962 to 5,178 in 1966.

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Lesson 2: Chinese Immigration to BC Blackline Master 1

Part B: Graphic Organizer

Sketch or map out the relationship of causes to consequences for Chinese migration to BC
during your chosen time period. After you have made your sketch, highlight, circle, or otherwise
mark the most important causes and consequences.

Consequences
Causes

Chinese people found peace in BC

Escaping from
Communism and war

Chinese people gained

Seeking political, economic
political and economic
stability
stability in Canada

Entrepreneurs from Hong

Chinese people in Hong
Immigration Kong started financial
Kong apprehensive of
endeavours in Canada
Hong Kong switching
and came to Canada with
from British to Chinese
billions of dollars of
control
investment funds.
Significant

Family Reunification Many Chinese people

came to reunite with
their family in Canada.

Significant
Immigration policy New Chinese
Significant opening the door to immigrants rose from
Chinese immigration 876 in 1962 to 5,178 in
1966.

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Lesson 2: Chinese Immigration to BC Blackline Master 1

Part C: Before and After

Did anything happen in the time before that Did anything happen during your time period
led to the pattern of immigration during this that led to consequences in the periods that
time period? followed?

The Exclusion Act period dealt with these

The BC government taking steps towards
same issues on a larger scale. Family
equity and reconciliation has set groundwork
separation was at an all time high, Chinese
for a more inclusive future. Many Chinese
Immigration Act took extensive measures to
people have immigrated to Canada for more
avoid Chinese people from immigrating to
stability in their life overall and will continue
Canada. The request for Chinese Canadians
to find that if they choose to immigrate to
to vote was answered in the post-WWII
canada.
period. I believe that the Exclusion Act period
set a precedent for addressing these issues
in the post-WWII era.

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