Modern Macao Coolie Trade

This paper investigates the history of coolie trade in Macao, reviews its emergence, development, and decline, and analyses its political, economic, and cultural influence on emigrant countries.This paper is organized in the following structure:Part 1 to part 3 investigates the emergence, development, and decline of coolie trade in Macao separately. Its historical background, operation, competition among western colonizers, and the enslaving status of coolie are discussed in these parts. The word "coolie" originated from Tamil (language used in southern India). It refers to those who live on heavy labor. When it was introduced to China, it was absorbed by Mandarin for it had similar sound and meaning with Chinese words. But when it is used in the term "coolie trade", it carries some other meaning. It refers to those who have been transported to other countries from their mother lands as "Contract Bondage" in 1800s. These coolies were mainly from Asian countries like India, China, and Malaysia. Coolie trade carries some similarity with African slave trade in 1400s. One thing different is that coolies have to sign a 5 to 8 years contract. Portugal colonizers are experts in slave trade. From 1442, they have already started slave trade and by 1500s, they have taken the lead in labor smuggling. In 1553, they started coolie trade in Macao. Since then, Macao became the first market and foothold for them. Later, Holland, Britain, France, Spain, and America all...