Chinese Migration and the Australian Gold Rush

Vocabulary terms and key concepts regarding Chinese migration, experiences, and contributions during and after the Australian Gold Rush.

Push factor

A condition that encourages someone to leave their home country.

Pull factor

A condition that attracts someone to move to another country.

Lambing Flat riots

Violent attacks on Chinese miners by European miners, during which Chinese miners were attacked and their tents and belongings were destroyed.

Poll tax

A fee charged to Chinese immigrants entering an Australian colony.

Victoria

The first Australian colony to pass an anti-Chinese immigration law.

South Australia route

A method used by some Chinese immigrants to avoid the Victorian poll tax by landing in South Australia and walking to the goldfields.

Petitioning government officials

A peaceful method used by some Chinese communities to respond to discrimination.

Entrepreneurship

The ability to establish and run businesses.

Anti-Chinese sentiment

Negative attitudes, prejudice and hostility towards Chinese people.

Discrimination

Treating people unfairly because of characteristics such as their background or culture.

Chinese goldfield community cultural features

Cultural institutions established by Chinese miners, specifically temples and herbal medicine shops.

Post-Gold Rush occupations

Common roles adopted by Chinese immigrants who remained in Australia, notably shopkeepers and market gardeners.