Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott
ca. 8/1898
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Like many places in the American West, Montana was the site of anti-Asian discrimination at the end of the 19th century. In late 1896, several labor unions in Butte boycotted both Chinese and Japanese owned businesses and businesses employing Asian workers, blaming these laborers and businesses for poor economic conditions.
Labor unions used flyers to notify their members and the public of this boycott. Many Chinese were forced to seek work in other cities. However, several merchants fought back and filed suit in Federal court in Butte requesting an injunction to stop the boycott as well as damages from the labor unions.
In the case Hum Lay, et al.. v. Baldwin, also known as the Chinese Boycott case, the court ruled in favor of the Chinese plaintiffs, a ruling that ran counter to the dominant public opinion of the time.
Labor unions used flyers to notify their members and the public of this boycott. Many Chinese were forced to seek work in other cities. However, several merchants fought back and filed suit in Federal court in Butte requesting an injunction to stop the boycott as well as damages from the labor unions.
In the case Hum Lay, et al.. v. Baldwin, also known as the Chinese Boycott case, the court ruled in favor of the Chinese plaintiffs, a ruling that ran counter to the dominant public opinion of the time.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 298113
Full Citation: Flyers Distributed by Silver Bow Trades and Labor Assembly and Butte Miners' Union in Support of Chinese and Japanese Boycott; ca. 8/1898; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/flyers-distributed-by-silver-bow-trades-and-labor-assembly-and-butte-miners-union-in-support-of-chinese-and-japanese-boycott, March 28, 2025]Activities that use this document
- Chinese Exclusion Broadside Analysis
Created by the National Archives Education Team - How Have Americans Responded to Immigration?
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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