Chinatown: Victoria's Forbidden City

Summary

This video explores the history of Victoria's Chinatown, the second oldest in North America, from its origins during the Gold Rush to its struggles against racism and exclusion. The script delves into the community's resilience, the creation of the Gate of Harmonious Interest in the 1980s, and the challenges faced by Chinese-Canadians, including discriminatory laws, the Opium Act, and the Chinese Exclusion Act. The story reveals how Chinese immigrants helped build Canada, despite systemic racism and government hostility, leading to a thriving multicultural Chinatown today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Victoria's Chinatown is the second oldest Chinatown in North America, with over 160 years of Chinese immigration to Canada.
• 😀 The Gate of Harmonious Interest, built in the 1980s, symbolizes integration, harmony, and a forward-looking Chinatown despite a dark history.
• 😀 Chinese immigrants initially arrived in British Columbia during the Gold Rush, contributing significantly to the development of Victoria and BC.
• 😀 Chinese immigrants faced significant discrimination and were subjected to racist laws, including being banned from many professions and denied voting rights.
• 😀 The Kwong Lee Company, one of Chinatown's leading businesses, became a powerful economic force, reflecting the success of Chinese-Canadians in business despite systemic barriers.
• 😀 In the late 19th century, Chinese-Canadians played a critical role in building Canada's first transcontinental railway, but were later subjected to exclusionary immigration laws.
• 😀 The Chinese Exclusion Act (1923) banned Chinese immigration for 24 years, further isolating Chinatown and perpetuating discrimination against Chinese-Canadians.
• 😀 Despite years of racism, Chinese-Canadians continued to build arches in Chinatown as symbols of loyalty to Canada and to protest against the systemic injustices they faced.
• 😀 Fan Tan Alley in Victoria became infamous for its association with opium dens, brothels, and gambling, contributing to Chinatown's negative reputation in the early 20th century.
• 😀 The opium trade in Victoria, while illegal in the United States, was a major cash crop for both the provincial and federal governments, which benefited from licensing fees and taxes.
• 😀 The passage of the Opium Act in 1908 and the rise in addiction across Canada led to increased anti-Chinese sentiment, blaming Chinese-Canadians for the opioid crisis.
• 😀 Victoria's Chinatown fell into economic decline after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the rise of Vancouver, while The Empress Hotel became a symbol of exclusion for Chinese-Canadians.

Q & A

What is the significance of Victoria's Chinatown in Canadian history?

Victoria's Chinatown is the second oldest in North America and was the first Chinatown in Canada. It played a pivotal role in the early Chinese migration to Canada, with over 160 years of Chinese immigration shaping its growth and identity.

What was the purpose of the Gate of Harmonious Interest?

The Gate of Harmonious Interest, built in the 1980s, was designed to welcome visitors and symbolize a forward-looking Chinatown. It represented the integration and harmony of Chinese-Canadians within the broader Canadian multicultural framework.

How did the history of Chinatown contrast with its ideal message of harmony?

Despite the symbolic messages of integration and harmony, Chinatown's history was marked by segregation, racism, and the exploitation of its people, including the use of Chinatown for illegal activities like drugs, gambling, and brothels.

What event led to the arrival of large numbers of Chinese immigrants in Victoria in the 1850s?

The Gold Rush of 1848 in California led many Chinese migrants to travel to British Columbia, particularly the Fraser River Valley. News of gold in the region spread quickly, resulting in a large influx of Chinese settlers to Victoria, which soon became a boomtown.

What was the significance of the Kwong Lee Company in Victoria’s Chinatown?

The Kwong Lee Company became one of the largest businesses in Victoria, competing with the Hudson's Bay Company. Its success contributed to the economic vitality of Chinatown, and the company’s manager, Lee Chong, became a community leader.

How did Chinese-Canadians express their loyalty to Canada despite racial discrimination?

Chinese-Canadians expressed their loyalty by building decorative arches (paifangs) to welcome Canadian dignitaries, often including messages of goodwill. These arches symbolized their distinct culture while affirming their commitment to Canada, even amid growing racism and discriminatory laws.

What was the role of Chinese workers in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway?

Chinese workers played a crucial role in building the Canadian Pacific Railway, particularly the most difficult sections through the Rockies. Despite facing harsh conditions and exploitation, they helped complete this vital infrastructure project.

What led to the introduction of the Chinese head tax and how did it impact Chinese immigrants?

After the completion of the railway, the Canadian government imposed a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885, raising it several times in subsequent years. The tax was an exclusionary measure that made it difficult for Chinese people to immigrate to Canada, causing significant hardship for families and communities.

How did the opium trade contribute to the negative reputation of Victoria’s Chinatown?

Victoria became the center of the opium trade in North America, with many businesses in Chinatown involved in its production and distribution. This trade, along with gambling and brothels, gave the area a shady reputation, which was further exacerbated by police raids and racial prejudice.

What were the social and legal consequences of the Opium Act of 1908?

The Opium Act of 1908 was Canada's first anti-drug law, largely motivated by growing concerns over white opium addicts. The law targeted Chinatown, particularly the illegal drug trade, leading to the decay of the community. It marked the beginning of a period of discrimination and decline for Chinatown.