How did the gold rush affect Chinese immigrants?

After the gold rush ended, many Chinese immigrants worked as farm laborers, in low-paying industrial jobs, and on railroad construction. As more Americans moved west, the need to send goods and information between the East and West increased. The federal government passed the Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864.

What did the Chinese do in the Australian gold rush?

Evading the tax by entering via South Australia, Chinese miners travelled inland to the diggings. It was Chinese miners who discovered the rich deposits of gold at Ararat. The Chinese successes at Ararat caused jealousy and anger from the other miners as they were able to claim the best areas on the diggings.

Why did Chinese immigrants during gold rush?

High taxes after the Opium Wars had forced many peasants and farmers off their land. Several years of floods and droughts led to economic desperation. Then merchant vessels brought news of Gam Saan, or gold mountain. The majority of Chinese men who sailed to California were illiterate, but dreamed of new possibilities.

How were the Chinese involved in the gold rush?

It is thought that approximately 7000 Chinese people came to work at the Araluen gold fields in southern NSW. The Chinese miners often worked in organised groups of 30 to 100 men under the direction of a leader, which resulted in their gold digging efforts being very successful.

How did Chinese migration affect Australia?

On arrival in Australia, the Chinese labourers were assigned numerous jobs that helped to open up the growing settlement. Jobs included clearing the bush, digging wells and irrigation ditches, and working as shepherds on the new properties. Many new immigrants also started market gardens.

How did Chinese immigrants come to Australia?

Gold rush, the 1850s–1860s As a result, starting in 1853, up to 40,000 Chinese immigrants travelled to Victoria by boat to work in the goldfields. They were not independent travellers, but large sponsored migrant groups.

How were the Chinese treated on the goldfields?

Chinese gold miners were discriminated against and often shunned by Europeans. Despite this they carved out lives in this strange new land. The Chinese took many roads to the goldfields. They left markers, gardens, wells and place names, some which still remain in the landscape today.

What happened to the Chinese on the goldfields?

One of the most serious riots occurred on 30 June 1861 when approximately 2000 European diggers attacked the Chinese miners. Although they tried to get away from the violent mob, about 250 Chinese miners were gravely injured and most lost all their belongings.

How did the Chinese immigrants get to Australia?

What happened to the Chinese miners on the goldfields?