In 1849 a few hundred Chinese migrants reached California, and in 1852 more than twenty thousand arrived in a single year. They came from a Guangdong wrecked by the Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion, flood and famine, chasing Gam Saan, Gold Mountain. The episode follows the credit-ticket system, the district associations that governed Chinatown, and how fast the welcome curdled, as Chinese San Franciscans answered Governor John Bigler in print.
Who's who
- John BiglerCalifornia governor whose 1852 message founded anti-Chinese politics
- Norman AsingChinatown merchant who wrote an open reply to Bigler
- Hab WaSan Francisco merchant, co-author of the 1852 merchants' letter
- Tong AchickSan Francisco merchant and early English-fluent negotiator
- John W. GearySan Francisco mayor who invited the 'China Boys' to a civic procession
Where it happens
- San Francisco, California+12 more episodesArrival port and site of the new Chinatown
- Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, ChinaHome region of most migrants
- Hong Kong+1 more episodeCeded after the First Opium War; departure point
Timeline
- 1839-1842First Opium War reshapes the south China coast
- August 1850Mayor Geary invites the 'China Boys' to march in a memorial procession
- 1851First district associations formed in San Francisco
- 1852About 20,026 Chinese arrive at San Francisco
- April 1852Governor Bigler's special message demands a check on Asiatic immigration
- May 1852Norman Asing's reply to Bigler runs in the Daily Alta California
Still debated
Early arrival counts diverge, with a February 1849 count of about 54, roughly 325 by year's end, and 789 counted in January 1850. Taiping Rebellion death tolls range from about 10 to over 30 million.
