Chinese business in Vancouver, 1886-1914

This thesis examines Chinese business activity in Vancouver, British Columbia between 1886 and 1914 as one avenue of immigrant adjustment. Government documents and reports, as well as business records from local Chinese merchant operations, were consulted. Chinese migrants to Canada brought with them business skills and concepts that were readily applied to economic opportunities arising inside and outside of Chinatown. The Chinese conducted a wide variety of businesses, revealing that the host society was most receptive to the Chinese.presence.in the commercial sphere. The viability of business activities reassured immigrants that their ambitions to earn money overseas were achievable despite persi.s.tent anti-Asian hostility in the general environment. Old and new world elements thus aided the survival and integration experience of the Chinese in Vancouver.Arts, Faculty ofHistory, Department ofGraduat