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Chinese Immigration Act (1885)

An 1885 law to prohibit Chinese immigration, the Chinese Immigration Act introduced the infamous $50 head tax on each Chinese arrival and limited the number of immigrants per vessel. The act was not one of outright exclusion, but it marked the culmination of anti-Chinese activity.

Related Biographies

GRAY, JOHN HAMILTON (1814-89)
SHAKESPEARE, NOAH
SMITHE (Smith, Smyth, Smythe), WILLIAM

Other Resources

Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada. Content archived on 24 Mar. 2023
Chinese Head Tax in Canada - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 1 Dec. 2024
Chinese Immigration Act - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 18 Dec. 2024
Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 - Wikipedia
Chinese Immigration Act, 1885 - Wikisource, the free online library
Immigrants from China, 1885-1949 - Library and Archives Canada. Content archived on 18 Aug. 2022
LIFE IN 1885-1923 | Chinese Canadian and Head Tax Stories. Content archived on 1 Jan. 2024
Road to Justice » Chinese Head Tax
The Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act | Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Chinese Immigration Act, 1885 | Pier 21
University of British Columbia Library: The Chinese Experience in B.C. 1850-1950. Content archived on 17 Oct. 2020 (original link)

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Nous reconnaissons l'aide financière du Musée canadien de l'histoire à travers les œuvres du programme de référence en ligne financés par le gouvernement du Canada.

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui du gouvernement du Canada.

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