A White Man's Province

A White Man's Province examines the history of anti-Asian discrimination in British Columbia from 1858 to 1914. Author Patricia E. Roy, a history professor at the University of British Columbia, draws from extensive research of period newspapers and archives to document this crucial period in Canadian history. The book chronicles the arrival of Chinese immigrants in the 1850s, their role in building the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the subsequent development of discriminatory policies. Roy details the progression of anti-Asian legislation, including the implementation of the head tax and efforts to restrict Asian employment across multiple industries. Through careful analysis of historical documents, Roy explores how British Columbia politicians branded their territory as "a white man's province" and worked to enforce this vision through law and policy. The text tracks the relationship between provincial and federal governments as they responded to Asian immigration and labor participation. This historical examination remains relevant to modern discussions of racism, immigration policy, and the complex relationship between regional and national governance in Canada.

Readers value A White Man's Province as a detailed account of British Columbia's anti-Asian politics and policies from 1885-1914. History students and academics cite its thorough research and extensive use of primary sources. Readers appreciated: - Clear documentation of racial discrimination in laws and policies - Analysis of economic factors behind anti-Asian sentiment - Coverage of both Chinese and Japanese immigration issues - Inclusion of newspaper accounts and public opinion Main criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited perspective from Asian immigrants themselves - Focus on government/institutional views rather than personal stories Online Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7 ratings) No Amazon reviews available Note: This book has limited online reader reviews due to its academic nature. Most discussion appears in academic journals and course syllabi rather than consumer review sites. Reviews come primarily from scholars and students using it for research.

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🍁 The Chinese "head tax" in British Columbia started at $50 in 1885 and rose dramatically to $500 by 1903 - equivalent to about $15,000 today 📚 Patricia E. Roy is Professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria and has authored multiple award-winning books about Asian-Canadian history 🚂 During the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (1881-1885), over 15,000 Chinese laborers worked on the project, with as many as 6,500 employed at its peak 🗞️ The book draws heavily from newspapers of the era, particularly the Victoria Daily Colonist, which was influential in shaping public opinion about Asian immigration 🏛️ British Columbia repeatedly pressured the federal government to restrict Asian immigration, leading to the Canada-Japan "Gentleman's Agreement" of 1908 which limited Japanese immigration to 400 people per year