Forgotten Contributions: The Chinese Railroad Workers of the CPR

• History
• Secondary Education

Forgotten Contributions: The Chinese Railroad Workers of the CPR

Learning Objective

Understand the significant role of Chinese immigrants in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the challenges they faced.

What do you already know about the Chinese railroad workers' contribution to the Canadian Pacific Railway?

Background: Canadian Pacific Railway

In the late 1800s, the Canadian Pacific Railway embarked on an ambitious project to construct a transcontinental railroad connecting the eastern and western parts of Canada.

Wong Foon Sien (Ah Fong)

Wong Foon Sien, also known as Ah Fong, was a prominent contractor who oversaw the employment of hundreds of Chinese workers on the CPR project.

Wong Foon Sien (Ah Fong)

He was a leading figure of the campaign for less restrictive immigration policies toward Chinese in the decade following the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act in 1947, therefore contributing to the reunification of hundreds of Chinese families in Canada. He was an ardent activist for the recognition of the rights of the Chinese-Canadian community and other minorities, being actively involved in a number of civil and human rights organizations, and as such, contributing to the development of a more tolerant society

Working Conditions

Chinese railroad workers endured hazardous terrain, extreme weather, and outbreaks of diseases like smallpox. They were paid significantly less than their non-Chinese counterparts.

Rail Riots of 1880s

The riot resulted from a pay cut and poor working conditions, leading to violent clashes and tragic deaths among Chinese laborers.

Camp 37 Riot 

The deadliest anti-Chinese action of the era happened on May 10, 1883 at CPR construction Camp 37, near Lytton when, after a Chinese worker who had been reinstated after previous violence and led a gang to attack and kill the white foreman who had been persuaded by a Chinese boss to rehire him. In retaliation for the killing, a group of irate 20 white railway workers attacked the Chinese part of the camp, setting a house on fire in a riot that left one Chinese dead and injuring several others

Mortality Rate

Over a thousand Chinese laborers died during the construction of the CPR due to accidents, avalanches, and diseases, often without proper recognition or memorialization.

Systemic Racism and Discrimination

Chinese railroad workers faced systemic racism and discrimination even after the completion of the railway, being denied citizenship rights and subjected to discriminatory laws.

Legacy and Reflection

Despite facing immense challenges, the Chinese railroad workers made indispensable contributions to the CPR, shaping the history of Canada.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.