A railway for British Columbia
The Canadian Pacific Railway was built to join British Columbia to the rest of Canada. The Rocky Mountains were a great natural barrier between British Columbia and the rest of Canada. It was done to get British Columbia to join Confederation and become part of Canada. Building the railway through the mountains was dangerous and many died. It was hard to get workers to risk their lives to help tunnel through mountains and build train bridges high above the raging rivers. Many poor Chinese immigrants that came to California during the Gold Rush moved north to work on the railway when they failed to find gold and riches.
White Jade Tiger is a story of he dangers many Chinese immigrants faced when they came to build the railway. As we read the novel we will explore the importance of the railway to Canada, the dangers faced, and the poor treatment Chinese immigrants faced in the l880’s here on the West Coast of British Columbia.
Below are two links to projects we will be working on as we read White Jade Tiger and research the building of the railway.
Using the following links and other sources research the building of the railway in BC and its effect on British Columbia joining confederation. Create a spark to present your work. Be sure to use images that are from that tie in our history and include the role the Chinese played in the building of the railway in BC and the working conditions thay faced. You will find information in your novel as well.
Your research should include:
why the railway was built
when it was built Start - finish
who was the Prime Minister
why were Chinese workers used
their working conditions
their living conditions
why people were afraid of them
what jobs did they do?
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