John Chinaman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Chinaman was a caricature drawn by Thomas Nast that represented Chinese laborers. John Chinaman was also referenced by Mark Twain and popular American songs of the period. John Chinaman represented, in western society, a typical persona of China.

John Confucius was Nast's character used to represent Chinese political figures.

In Nast's cartoon "A Matter of Taste", published March 15, 1879 (seen at right), John Confucius expresses disapproval of James G. Blaine for his support of the Chinese Exclusion bill of 1879 (vetoed by Hays). The Chinese Exclusion Act was later passed in 1882. Blaine, the Republican candidate in the presidential campaign of 1884, is shown dining in "Kearney's Senatorial Restaurant"—a reference to Dennis Kearney, the leader of a violent anti-Chinese movement in California. John Confucius asks, "How can Christians stomach such diet?"

[edit] External links

• Mark Twain on "John Chinaman"