Chinese Migration, Labor on the West Coast, and the Chinese Exclusion Act (1850–1892)

1. First Chinese miners arrive in California goldfields

   Jan 1, 1849Labels: Chinese miners, California Gold

   • Britannica Gold Rush
   • CA Gold Rush

2. California enacts the Foreign Miners’ Tax

   Apr 13, 1850Labels: Foreign Miners', California government

   • Foreign Miners Tax
   • State Dept Milestones

3. People v. Hall restricts Chinese courtroom testimony

   Jan 1, 1854Labels: People v, California Supreme

   • People v Hall
   • Britannica Exclusion

4. Central Pacific Railroad hires first Chinese workers

   Feb 1, 1865Labels: Central Pacific, Chinese workers

   • Central Pacific RR
   • NPS Golden Spike

5. Chinese railroad workers strike for better conditions

   Jun 25, 1867Labels: Chinese railroad, labor strike

   • Central Pacific RR
   • 1867 Strike

6. Burlingame–Seward Treaty encourages migration

   Jul 28, 1868Labels: Burlingame Seward, United States

   • State Dept Milestones
   • Burlingame Treaty

7. Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory Summit

   May 10, 1869Labels: Transcontinental Railroad, Promontory Summit

   • NPS Golden Spike
   • Britannica Railroad

8. Page Act restricts entry of Chinese women

   Mar 3, 1875Labels: Page Act, U S

   • Page Act
   • Britannica Exclusion

9. In re Ah Yup denies Chinese eligibility for naturalization

   Apr 29, 1878Labels: In re, federal court

   • In re Ah
   • State Dept Milestones

10. Angell Treaty authorizes U.S. restrictions on Chinese labor migration

    Nov 17, 1880Labels: Angell Treaty, U S

    • Angell Treaty
    • State Dept Milestones

11. Chinese Exclusion Act bans Chinese labor immigration

    May 6, 1882Labels: Chinese Exclusion, U S

    • Nat Archives
    • LOC Guide
    • Britannica Exclusion

12. Rock Springs massacre kills Chinese miners in Wyoming Territory

    Sep 2, 1885Labels: Rock Springs, Wyoming Territory

    • HISTORY Rock Springs
    • Rock Springs Wiki

13. Yick Wo v. Hopkins affirms equal protection for noncitizens

    May 10, 1886Labels: Yick Wo, U S

    • Yick Wo
    • MW Legal

14. Scott Act bars reentry of many Chinese laborers

    Oct 1, 1888Labels: Scott Act, U S

    • State Dept Milestones
    • Scott Act

15. Chae Chan Ping decision upholds expanded exclusion power

    May 13, 1889Labels: Chae Chan, U S

    • Chae Chan Ping
    • State Dept Milestones

16. Geary Act extends exclusion and mandates certificates of residence

    May 5, 1892Labels: Geary Act, U S

    • Cornell LII
    • Geary Act
    • Britannica Exclusion