Browse Items (13 total)

A newspaper article reporting on the first suspected smallpox case. The victim was the child of a prominent Chinese merchant.

An editorial attacking Chinese immigrants. It was widely believed that the Chinese were harbingers of transmissible diseases due to their 'dirtiness'.

Part of a cartoon summarising the events of the outbreak. Blame was widely placed on Sydney's Chinese population.

An anti-Chinese cartoon.

A letter to the editor arguing against compulsory vaccination.

An illustration encapsulating treatment of Chinese immigrants suspected of carrying smallpox. Violence against Sydney's Chinese became increasingly popular during the outbreak.

A famous anti-Chinese cartoon. Note the animalisation of the Chinese figure.

Chinese immigrants frequently worked as fruit and vegetable hawkers. This eventually became a commonly held stereotype.

In 1888, an attempt to repeal the Influx of Chinese Restriction Act 1881 was voted down. Strong anti-Chinese sentiments had persisted since the epidemic and this was reflected in parliament.

Officials were meticulous in their efforts to ensure the outbreak was confined to Sydney. Passengers of both ships and trains frequently underwent health checks or were quarantined.