Ahn Chang Ho, Kap Suk Cho, and other workers at an orange orchard in Riverside, CA, in early 1900s.
(Source: Courtesy of Korean Heritage Library, University of Southern California)

Features

• TOPICS: Establishment of the First Koreatown in Riverside, Pachappa Camp, Korean Independence Movement, California Citrus Industry
• HISTORICAL TIME FRAME: 1900–1940
• NOTABLE KOREANS: Dosan Ahn Chang Ho (1878–1938)
• SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Civic Engagement Project and Report

Lesson Overview

• Students explore the life of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, his immigration to the United States, and his life as an activist and community builder. They examine how the first Koreatown was established in Riverside, California, and compare the experiences of Korean, Mexican, and women citrus pickers and packers. Finally, they identify Dosan’s contributions to the United States and Korea.

Time Frame

• Activity 2.1 requires 55 minutes plus additional time for additional activities such as student research and sharing.
• Activity 2.2: civic engagement project requires 55 minutes and homework.

Objectives and Learning Goals

• ​Students will be able to identify important events in the life of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, including his immigration to the United States and his life as an activist and community builder.
• Students will be able to describe how the first Koreatown was established in Riverside, California, and compare and contrast the experiences of Korean, Mexican, and women citrus pickers and packers.
• Students will be able to evaluate Dosan’s contributions to the United States and Korea. 

Vocabulary

• Deportation: – the action of deporting a foreigner from a country.
• Famine: – extreme scarcity of food.
• Gongnip Hyophoe: – also known as “Cooperative Associations,” these were designed to develop democratic policies and institutions for the future founding of a democratic and independent Korean nation.
• Korean Labor Bureau (KLB): – a Labor Bureau opened by Dosan to facilitate employment and help bring Koreans to Riverside.
• Korean National Association: – political organization established in 1909 to fight Japan’s colonial policies and occupation in Korea.
• Korean Provisional Government: – a partially recognized Korean government-in-exile based in Shanghai, China, and later in Chongqing, during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea.
• Pachappa Camp: – founded in 1905 and is considered to be the first Korean settlement established in the United States; l. Located in downtown Riverside, California.

Additional Resources

• Original Lesson: Korean American Leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho—Community, Struggle, Voice, Identity
• ​Lesson 2: Korean American Leader Dosan Ahn Chang Ho—Community, Struggle, Voice, Identity (Ethnic Studies Group, CA Together)

Lesson 2 Teacher’s Guide (PDF)

Lesson 2 Presentation (PDF)

Download Lesson 2 Presentation (PPT)

Lesson 1 Presentation (PDF)