The Cargo Rebellion: Those Who Chose Freedom

Dr. Jeffrey Chang, Associate Professor of History and Dir. of the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute at UConn, will share collaborative research and a graphic, and animated novel of Connecticut’s connection to the trade in indentured Asian workers, known pejoratively as “coolies.” In 1852 a New Haven captain set sail to China and tricked 400 Chinese workers into thinking they would be taken to California. When the truth was revealed that they were enroute to Peru to be indentured in the guano fields, they mutinied and took control of the ship only to face a typhoon and an uncertain future. Learn about this fascinating story along with updates on the state’s K-12 Asian American studies curriculum.