when and why did the chinese come to britain in the 19th century?

Question

why did the chinese come to britain in the 19th century? any dates? and how did they get here. i have some simple answers, but if anyone would like to give a more detailed account on things such as - the government, the laws, and the world wars. im a young teenager so please can the answers be understandable! thanks.

Answer 1

The Chinese came as sailors. Remember that in the 19th C Britain had the largest Merchant Marine in the world. Sailors would be signed on in their home port and on arrival in England would decide to stay. There was a large settlement in the East End of London - in some Sherlock Holmes stories there are descriptions of Holmes visiting opium dens there that some Chinese ran. Many Chinese men married British women. There were no laws relating to immigration in those days and the Government had little to do with the situation. The World Wars also had little to do with Chinese immigration.