Chinese Chronology

1854
In People vs. Hall California Supreme Court rule reversed murder conviction on the basis that Chinese witnesses could not testify under California’s law that “No black or mulatto person, or Indian, shall be permitted to give evidence in favor if, or against, any white person.” (McClain, Chinese Immigrants and American Law, p. 549, Takaki, p. 102)


1860
California legislature established segregated schools to prevent the integration of blacks, Indians, and Chinese. (Takaki, p. 103).


Oct. 24, 1871
17 Chinese residents lynched and two others murdered in Los Angeles.


June 3, 1876
40 Chinese mineworkers driven from Newcastle coal mines (E. King County, WA).


1879
Pres. Hayes vetoed a Chinese exclusion act as violation of Burlingame Treaty


1880
New treaty with China allowed the U.S. to “regulate, limit, or suspend” but not prohibit the immigration of Chinese laborers. (Hune in Chinese Immigrants and American Law, p. 104)


May 6, 1882:
Chinese Exclusion Act enacted. First U.S. law to restrict immigration on the basis of race.
“Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof…until the expiration of ten years next after passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be…suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or, having so come…to remain within the United States.”


Feb. 7, 1885
Total expulsion of Chinese from Eureka, California – approximately 480.


September 2, 1885:
Rock Springs Massacre, Wyoming. 28 Chinese miners killed and 15 wounded. , 79 dwellings burned. No indictments by grand jury.


Sept. 7, 1885
Hop pickers attacked camp of 35 Chinese in Squak Valley (now Issaquah, WA) killing three and wounding three sleeping Chinese men.
See: http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2746


Sept. 11, 1885
Burning of Chinese quarters at Coal Creek


Sept. 19, 1885
White miners drove Chinese out of Black Diamond, injuring nine men.


September 28, 1885
Anti-Chinese Congress convened in Seattle


Nov. 3, 1885
Tacoma: last of 700 Chinese driven out of the city and Chinatown was burned to the ground. Two died of exposure.


1886
U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Yick Wo v. Hopkins upholding rights of Chinese laundry businesses under 14th Amendment against discriminatory administration of ordinances by San Francisco Board of Supervisors.


Feb. 8, 1986
Seattle: Mobs and “committees” drive Chinese from homes. Militia and Home Guard acted to protect Chinese and riot ensued. Governor declared martial law and requested federal troops.


May 25, 1887
Hells Canyon/Snake River, OR Massacre - 34 Chinese miners killed


1892
Congress passed the Geary Act “the most draconian immigration law ever passed” (McClain & McClain, in Entry Denied, p. 18 *) Law required Chinese to carry certificates of residence at all times.