The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 - What caused the most damage?

The Birth of San Francisco's Chinatown

What event of 1849 in California led to the arrival of over 10,000 natives of China within three years? 

The Gold Rush was not the only reason that the San Francisco area saw so many immigrate from China to the United States.  China was undergoing a rebellion at the time, and many fled the country as a result.  While many of the Chinese headed inland to the gold fields, others stayed in San Francisco, finding the city to have an attractive climate and plenty of rich people to whom they could provide services.  San Francisco's population boomed, growing from well under 500 in 1846 to well over 30,000 six years later.

Other workers from China came to provide the labor for one of the most famous construction projects of the 19th century:  The Transcontinental Railroad.

The railroad runs from Iowa (why does it start there, and not on the East Coast?) to Sacramento.  This work was incredibly dangerous, and the Chinese did the work without complaint.

Peoples from many other countries (Russia, Turkey, Mexico, France) also came to San Francisco for the gold.  Why do you think the Chinese were looked down upon more than any other people?  Do you remember from the video?

1.)  They were so utterly different in their habits, their foods, their customs

2.)  They wanted to keep to themselves, and separate from the rest of the city

3.)  They had no interest at first in learning English

Ultimately, this led to 45,000 Chinese living in an area of the city that was no more than nine city blocks.  Once the population reached this size, a federal law forbade the immigration of further Chinese workers.  In fact, even relatives of those living already in America were not allowed to immigrate.

Chinatown was located between the business district of the city and the Nob Hill area, where many of the richest San Franciscans lived.  This helped the Chinese, because they were located conveniently right next to the people they provided services for.  Think about why, following the earthquake, the business and political leaders of San Francisco might have wanted Chinatown to be somewhere else.

Following the Earthquake - Additional Near Disaster for Chinatown

With all that San Franciscans had to deal with following the 1906 Earthquake, it is a sign of the feelings of the overall population toward the Chinese that within six days of the earthquake, a plan to relocate Chinatown was in place.

How did Chinatown survive this threat?  An article, pictures, and a radio broadcast commemorating the 100th anniversary of the earthquake gives us some clues.

Learn here about how the Chinese used the destruction of the earthquake to help themselves.  Do you think they acted properly?

Visit here to see a map of San Francisco today, with Chinatown still in its traditional place rather than relocated to Hunter's Point.