Chinese Immigrants and the Foreign Miners Tax — Reading Comprehension

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.4.3-5
D2.HIS.16.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

About This Reader

This engaging U.S. history reading passage explores the experiences of Chinese immigrants during the California Gold Rush and the impact of the Foreign Miners Tax. Students will learn how thousands traveled from China to seek fortune, the challenges they faced, and the laws that made life difficult for them. The passage highlights bravery, unity, and resilience as key themes. This lesson aligns to C3 Framework standards D2.His.4.3-5 and D2.His.16.3-5, and Common Core ELA standards RI.4.3, RI.4.4, and W.4.2. Activities include a reading comprehension quiz, writing prompts, glossary, timeline, and a graphic organizer. The passage is student-ready, features read aloud audio, and includes a full Spanish translation. This resource is ideal for helping students build literacy while deepening their understanding of U.S. history and the experiences of immigrant communities during Westward Expansion.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Mining life in California--Chinese miners.
Source: Library of Congress

The California Gold Rush began in 1848. People from all over the world traveled to California to find fortune. Many people came from China. They hoped to find gold and build a better life for their families.

The journey from China was long and hard. Chinese immigrants crossed the ocean by ship. When they arrived, they saw many people digging for gold. Some Chinese men worked alone. Others joined together in small groups. They used simple tools like shovels and pans. They worked hard every day, hoping to find gold dust or nuggets.

At first, everyone was welcome to search for gold. But soon, there were too many miners. Gold grew harder to find. Some people began to blame immigrants for the problems. In 1850, California lawmakers passed a law called the Foreign Miners Tax. This law made every foreign miner pay a high tax each month. The tax was $20, which was a lot of money. Most Chinese miners could not pay. If they did not pay, they could not work in the mines.

The Foreign Miners Tax made life very hard for Chinese workers. Many left the gold fields. Some looked for jobs in towns or on railroads. Others started small businesses. Chinese immigrants showed great bravery. They worked together and helped each other. They built communities called Chinatowns. There, they shared food, language, and stories from home.

Some people did not like the new tax. One Chinese miner said, "We came to work and live in peace." But the law stayed for many years. Over time, people saw how much Chinese immigrants helped build California. They were cooks, shopkeepers, and railroad workers.

Today, we remember the strength and courage of the Chinese people who came during the Gold Rush. Their hard work and unity changed California forever.

Interesting Fact: Many Chinese miners sent money home to help their families in China. Their letters and gold helped whole villages survive tough times.

When did the California Gold Rush start?

1848185018601800

Where did many new miners come from?

ChinaMexicoFranceCanada

What did the Foreign Miners Tax do?

Taxed foreign minersGave gold to minersBanned all miningHelped Chinese miners

Why was the Foreign Miners Tax created?

Blamed immigrants for less goldTo hire more minersTo help immigrantsTo lower gold prices

How did Chinese immigrants respond to the tax?

Left gold fieldsStarted businessesWorked on railroadsAll of the above

What did Chinese immigrants build in towns?

ChinatownsMinesCastlesSchools