Sneaky, Sinister, and Scapegoated: Chinese Immigration and Exclusion as Represented in The Wasp, 1877-1889

Chinese Immigration and Exclusion in The Wasp (1877-1889)

Introduction

• Early Chinese immigrants faced hard work, fear, suspicion, and discrimination on the West Coast, starting with the California Gold Rush.

• Laws were created as early as 1852 to discourage Chinese immigration and penalize those working in the mines.

• The issue of unwanted immigrants persists, highlighted by the arrival of illegal Chinese immigrants in British Columbia in 1999.

• Media attention and public opinion were divided on whether to allow these immigrants to stay in Canada or return to China.

• Fear lingered that Canada was being used to smuggle Chinese immigrants into the United States

• Historical issues impacted the 2006 Canadian federal election, with Chinese Canadians seeking compensation for the head tax paid by their family members.

• The years around the Chinese Exclusion Act offer a valuable lens for examining current events and considering the past's influence on the present.

• This paper examines Chinese immigration as represented in the political cartoons of The Wasp around the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act (1877-1889).

• The analysis focuses on illustrating the story of immigration and exclusion through these cartoons, acknowledging racism as a fundamental element.

A Brief History of Chinese Immigration in California

• In 1848, gold was discovered, triggering the California Gold Rush.

• In 1850, the California State legislature passed the first Foreign Miner's Tax Law.

• In 1863, the Central Pacific Railway (CPR) broke ground.

• Charles Crocker hired 50 Chinese railway workers in response to white workers threatening to strike, and within two years, 90 percent of the workforce was Chinese.

• By 1868, 12,000 Chinese workers were employed on the CPR.

• Anti-Chinese sentiment was simmering in California.

• The Burlingame Treaty (1868) recognized the right to free immigration between the United States and China and aimed to protect Chinese workers from persecution and discrimination.

• The treaty also granted China most-favored-nation status.

• Despite the treaty's intentions, anti-Chinese sentiment continued to grow. Americans worried about job competition, depressed wages, and the racial distinctiveness of the Chinese.

• A deep-seated racism fueled the anti-Chinese movement.

• By 1876, unemployment was rampant in California, and tensions between white workers and Chinese immigrants reached a boiling point.

Chinese Immigration and Exclusion in The Wasp (1877-1889)

Introduction

• Early Chinese immigrants faced hard work, fear, suspicion, and discrimination on the West Coast, starting with the California Gold Rush.

• Laws were created as early as 1852 to discourage Chinese immigration and penalize those working in the mines.

• The issue of unwanted immigrants persists, highlighted by the arrival of illegal Chinese immigrants in British Columbia in 1999.

• Media attention and public opinion were divided on whether to allow these immigrants to stay in Canada or return to China.

• Fear lingered that Canada was being used to smuggle Chinese immigrants into the United States

• Historical issues impacted the 2006 Canadian federal election, with Chinese Canadians seeking compensation for the head tax paid by their family members.

• The years around the Chinese Exclusion Act offer a valuable lens for examining current events and considering the past's influence on the present.

• This paper examines Chinese immigration as represented in the political cartoons of The Wasp around the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act (1877-1889).

• The analysis focuses on illustrating the story of immigration and exclusion through these cartoons, acknowledging racism as a fundamental element.

A Brief History of Chinese Immigration in California

• In 1848, gold was discovered, triggering the California Gold Rush.

• In 1850, the California State legislature passed the first Foreign Miner's Tax Law.

• In 1863, the Central Pacific Railway (CPR) broke ground.

• Charles Crocker hired 50 Chinese railway workers in response to white workers threatening to strike, and within two years, 90 percent of the workforce was Chinese.

• By 1868, 12,000 Chinese workers were employed on the CPR.

• Anti-Chinese sentiment was simmering in California.

• The Burlingame Treaty (1868) recognized the right to free immigration between the United States and China and aimed to protect Chinese workers from persecution and discrimination.

• The treaty also granted China most-favored-nation status.

• Despite the treaty's intentions, anti-Chinese sentiment continued to grow. Americans worried about job competition, depressed wages, and the racial distinctiveness of the Chinese.

• A deep-seated racism fueled the anti-Chinese movement.

• By 1876, unemployment was rampant in California, and tensions between white workers and Chinese immigrants reached a boiling point.

The Rise of The Wasp

• The Wasp was a weekly satirical magazine published in San Francisco from 1876 to 1892.

• It was known for its provocative political cartoons, targeting various groups and issues, including the Chinese.

• The Wasp emerged during a period of economic depression and intense anti-Chinese sentiment in California.

• The magazine's cartoons reflected and amplified the prevailing racism of the time.

Key Themes in The Wasp's Cartoons

1. Dehumanization and Racial Stereotypes

   • Chinese immigrants were often depicted as caricatures with exaggerated features and animalistic qualities.

   • These dehumanizing representations reinforced the idea that the Chinese were an inferior race.

   • The cartoons frequently portrayed the Chinese as a monolithic group, ignoring individual differences and experiences.

2. Economic Threat

   • The Wasp frequently portrayed Chinese immigrants as an economic threat to white workers.

   • Cartoons depicted the Chinese as willing to work for lower wages, thereby undercutting American laborers.

   • This economic anxiety was a major driver of anti-Chinese sentiment and was exploited by the magazine.

3. Moral and Cultural Degradation

   • The Chinese were often accused of importing immoral practices, such as opium smoking and gambling.

   • Cartoons depicted Chinese communities as dens of vice, contributing to the perception of the Chinese as a corrupting influence on American society.

4. Political Manipulation

   • The Wasp suggested that politicians and business leaders were using Chinese labor for their own gain.

   • Cartoons implied that these figures were willing to sell out the interests of white Americans for economic and political advantage.

Specific Examples of Cartoons and Their Impact

• Cartoons often depicted Chinese immigrants as rats or vermin, symbolizing their perceived threat to American society.

• Other cartoons showed Chinese workers being used as pawns by wealthy capitalists, highlighting economic exploitation.

• Many cartoons promoted the idea of racial purity and the need to protect white America from the "yellow peril."

• These images had a powerful impact on public opinion, reinforcing racist beliefs and fueling discriminatory policies.

The Chinese Exclusion Act and Its Representation

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a direct result of the anti-Chinese movement.

• The Wasp celebrated the passage of the Exclusion Act, portraying it as a victory for white America.

• Cartoons depicted the expulsion of Chinese immigrants as a necessary measure to protect American jobs and preserve racial purity.

• The magazine continued to advocate for stricter immigration laws and the complete exclusion of Chinese people from the United States.

Conclusion

• The political cartoons of The Wasp provide a window into the racism and xenophobia of the late 19th century.

• These cartoons played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing discriminatory policies.

• By examining these historical representations, we can gain a better understanding of the complex history of immigration and exclusion in the United States.

• Understanding the historical context of anti-Chinese sentiment can inform contemporary debates about immigration and race relations.

• The legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act continues to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of combating prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.