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Amendment of the Chinese Head Tax ((References, "A Compilation Of…
Amendment of the Chinese Head Tax
Definition
The chinese head tax was introduced in 1885 due to anti-immigration sentiment from BC locals, which called for a $50 tax for all chinese immigrants. The head tax was later amended in 1903 to increase to $500 per head. This head tax highly discouraged immigrants from China due to its cost (Roughly 17000 CAD nowadays,) but however did not stop immigration, which had an impact on chinese families and societies in Canada. Later the head tax was abolished, however along with the abolishment came with the introduction of the Chinese Immigration Act (referred to also as the Chinese Exclusion Act.) which stopped all Chinese immigration with the exception of Diplomats Foreign Students and Merchants. Ultimately starting a movement for redress which lasted for decades until into the two-thousands.
References
"A Compilation Of Statutes Of The Dominion Of Ca... - Canadiana Online". Canadiana.Ca, 2020,
http://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_02345/19?r=0&s=1
.
"Chinese-Canadian Genealogy - Chinese Head Tax". Web.Archive.Org, 2020,
https://web.archive.org/web/20071001015428/http://www.vpl.ca/ccg/Head_Tax_Info.html
.
"The Chinese Head Tax And The Chinese Exclusion Act | CMHR". CMHR, 2020,
https://humanrights.ca/story/the-chinese-head-tax-and-the-chinese-exclusion-act
.
Immediate Cause
The Chinese Head tax was amended in 1903. This amendment was signed in order to increase the head tax price from $100 to $500 per head.
Underlying Cause
The head tax was introduced in 1885, right after the completion of the CPR, starting at $50 per head. This allowed for it to be later amended in 1903.
Underlying Cause
Majority white politicians and public opinion paved way for supported discrimination and prejudice. This pressure was a major factor pushed Sir John A. Macdonald to sign off on the head tax.
Underlying Cause
BC residents displayed amounts of anti-immigration sentiment. In response to this, the BC government plans to introduce a head tax.
Underlying Cause
Chinese immigrating to Canada before the signing of the head tax in order to find employment. Most of which was to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. However other occupations such as loggers also attracted the attention of these immigrants.
Most Important Cause
Mass Chinese immigration to Canada for employment was the most important cause of this event, as it acted as the foundation for all following underlying causes and ultimately building up to the immediate cause. Mass immigration built up anti-immigration sentiment in BC, which lead to discrimination and the BC government ultimately introducing the head tax to tackle this sentiment, as well as public opinion and prejudice influencing the signing by Sir John A. Macdonald. This shows how the immigration for employment was a major factor for all the nativism from locals, which then ultimately led to the creation and signing of the head tax.
Direct Consequence
The Chinese head tax was increased to $500 per head. Some Chinese immigrants in certain occupations and groups were excluded from having to pay this tax. Some of these groups were teachers, students, merchants and other persons with transitory occupations.
Indirect Consequence
Chinese Immigration is essentially halted in Canada, even more so when the tax is raised to $500. Dropping the Chinese immigration rate greatly by discouragement, however not stopping it completely.
Indirect Consequence
The Chinese population becomes more of a Bachelor society, with a male majority population. Caused by families not being able to afford to pay the Head tax and therefore being separated from the Chinese men already residing in Canada.
Indirect Consequence
The head tax was later abolished in 1923 however the Chinese Immigration Act was also introduced, along with the retirement of the head tax. This act prevented all Chinese immigration with the exception of Diplomats, Foreign Students and Merchants.
Indirect Consequence
After the Chinese Immigration act was repealed in 1948, activists called for a movement for redress. This led to a decades long battle for redress, which involved acknowledgement of the issue, awareness raising, and several unsuccessful calls for redresses in 2002 and 2003.
Indirect Consequence
Redress for the head tax was one of the factors that eventually led to the creation of Bill C-333 in 2005. This bill sought to acknowledge, redress, and educate people about past government wrongdoings and therefore the Chinese Head tax as well. However this bill generally fell short of the Chinese population’s demand for redress, and it was ultimately not introduced and did not become law.
Most Important Consequence
The most important consequence would be the battle for redress starting from 1948. This battle lasted for decades and involved raising awareness for the head tax, in order to gain supporters in which the Chinese Canadian National Council could then successfully call for redress. However the fact that redress was denied in 2002 and 2003 shows how the possible race bias, prejudice and ignorance carries over from over 100 years ago, which ultimately illustrates and emphasizes how long the Chinese had to fight for redress and equality over this issue.
Indirect Consequence
Overtime the Canadian Government will profit off of Chinese head tax payers. The Canadian government will gain 334 million dollars from around 81,000 taxpayers, until the act is abolished.
What stayed the same for the Canadian Chinese?
Continued discrimination faced as a minority from the Canadian Government.
Continued work in low-paying jobs and as laborers.
What changed for the Canadian Chinese
Changed immigration policies, impacting families and societies.
Continuity and Change
As a result of the head tax, families were separated and Asian societies were greatly impacted negatively as the Chinese Immigration Act was later introduced which essentially halted all immigration and caused many societies to become bachelor societies. Also despite the introduction of the head tax, the Chinese continued to face discrimination from the Canadian Government and awareness wasn’t raised until the abolishment of the immigration act and much later in the two-thousands. Ultimately, the head tax did not do much to help out the Chinese’s cause and overall hindered and negatively impacted families and individuals. All in all, the event brought about a negative change for the Canadian Chinese population.
Definition
Cause
Consequence
Important Causes and Consequences
Citations
Continuity and Change
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