Grade 8
History: Confederation
Grade 8,
Confederation, Setting the Stage, the Pacific Coast, First Nations and the Fur
Trade, Colonies of the Pacific Coast, & Rupert’s Land, page 5.
1. Clearly, British Columbia or Caledonia
was established by the First Nations.
What we call “British Columbia” today is hemmed in by the Rockies and
the Pacific Ocean. The Hudson Bay
Company traded goods for sea otter pelts and Russians, Americans, British,
and eventually Canadians sought to acquire British Columbia. This was heightened by the discovery of gold
in the Fraser Valley.
B.C. had
4 options: join the
U.S., remain a colony of Britain, join the infant country of Canada or become
independent. B.C. will complete the
dream of a nation from ‘sea to sea.’
2. A) Russia had interests in British
Columbia.
B) Independence for
B.C. surprised me as an option.
3. From grade 7, I already knew about the
Hudson Bay Company and its rival fur trading company, the North-West
Company. We learned about competition
among companies and the two approaches that corporations or companies appeal to
its clients and the effects of supply and demand on prices.
The Gold
Rush, the Cariboo Road and Mountains, First Nations & the Gold Rush, After
the Gold Rush, page 7
By the
1860’s, the population increased by 30 times its original size and soon the
colony began to build roads. The
population was largely American. The colony incurs debt and Canada is willing
to absorb the debt.
The Metis
and Rupert’s Land, Red River Settlers, and Britain looks to the West Page 9
1. The Metis are a group of people
who have both European and Native ancestry.
Dating back to New France, fur traders would often have children with
Native women and their offspring were referred to as Metis.
The
following groups had a keen interest in what we refer to as Manitoba: the Cree,
French-Canadians, Scottish settlers, British Canadians from Upper Canada, and
American settlers.
2. The Canadian West had great
potential: possible farmland to grow wheat, future plots of land for
settlers, access to water, a possible route for rail networks, minerals, and a buffer zone against American
expansionism. It was part of a strong
trade link.
3. Because of the diverse population in
the West and competing interests, the reader might feel that there is a
possibility of conflict among groups over land, resources, and ways of life.
The
Atlantic Colonies, the People of the Maritimes, Maritime Economy, Page 11
1.
The
population was both French and English.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had a large French population. There were also Irish, Welsh, and Scottish
people. In addition, there were
descendants of Black Loyalists and Mi'kmaq Natives. The Beothuk Natives of Newfoundland were
decimated by British bounties and European diseases.
* Official
Newfoundland history holds that the last Beothuk, a woman named Shanawdithit,
died in 1829 of tuberculosis. “Although scattered rumours of Beothuk sightings
persisted for the next few years, Shanawdithit is widely believed to have been
the last of the Beothuk,” reads a website maintained by Memorial University of
Newfoundland.
2. The major exports were cod, seal
pelts, whale oil, and timber.
3. Various crops were grown which included
potatoes, blueberries, and vegetables.
4. The timber industry contributed to the
ship building industry.
5. Halifax is an ice-free port and
protected harbour that is suitable for importing and exporting. Above all, it is strategic or well-located. Pier 21 is a national historical site in
present-day Halifax that recognizes the historical waves of immigrants who
entered Canada before the age of air travel.
The
United Province of Canada, Various People, and Various Economies, page 12
The
Maritimes (N.B., N.S. P.E.I. & Nfld.)
-fishing, timber, shipping, and farming
-longer history of trade and a more
established population
-English is spoken
Lower
Canada (Quebec)
-small scale fishing, forestry,
manufacturing, former fur centres
-French is widely spoken yet there is
an English speaking merchant class
Upper Canada
(Southern Ontario)
-less populated yet predominately
English with Irish immigration
-farming, light manufacturing, small
shipping and a small merchant class
Caledonia
(British Columbia)
-British
population with American settlers
-large
deposits of gold are discovered in the Fraser Valley
*All of the
regions had Native groups that were displaced.
2. Like
Alberta today, British Columbia had a precious resource. In the case of B.C. it was gold yet today in
the case of Alberta it is tar sands from which bitumen or crude oil is
extracted.
3. What if
Russia colonized British Columbia? Would people in Vancouver be speaking
Russian today?
Key
Terms, page14
the B.C.
Gold Rush- a large
amount of gold is discovered which attracts a large number of prospectors or
miners who believe that they likely become rich; however, the surge in
population is short-lived with many leaving without money or increasing the
risk of American interests or the possibility of lawless; British colony
amassed a huge debt largely due to constructing roads for miners
a
prospector- someone
who uses various techniques such as panning for gold in order to sift through
sediment to find the heavier element of gold
Metis- descendants of European and Native
parents in the mid-west of present-day Canada as far back as New France and the
Age of the Fur Trade in Canada
the Red
River Settlement-
historical farming settlements along the Red River in present-day Manitoba
which attracted Scottish landless farmers or crofters under the philanthropic
(well-intended charity organizer) Lord Selkirk; the lands obviously belonged to
the First Nations
an
economy- the wealth
of resources of a nation that can be either a good or service such as timber or
shipbuilding
The
United Province of Canada, page 13
Differences Similarities Differences
Canada
East Canada West
Language: French English
First
Nations
African
or Black Loyalists
Scottish,
Irish, and Welsh
Christians
Religion: Roman Catholics Protestants
Population: Greater at first Less population at 1st
Population stabilizes Population increases
Economies:
Shipbuilding Farming Less
developed
More Developed Manufacturing
Timber
If we look
at the above chart, we discover that the two Canadas are similar yet largely
unique. Most likely, there will exist
rising tension over land, culture, political power, jobs, and manufacturing.
Key
Terms, page 15
Colonies
on the Pacific Coast-
area west of the Rocky Mountains populated by First Nations, over-run with
American prospectors, strongly tied to the U.S., areas of gold deposits in the
Fraser Valley, and separated from the rest of colonies
Rupert’s
Land- land between
the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes
the
Atlantic Colonies-
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick
the
United Provinces of Canada- Canada East and Canada West formerly known as Lower Canada and Upper
Canada
Outside
British North America, page 16.
The Canadian
colonies started to change their relationships with Britain and the U.S.A.
Britain
viewed the colonies of Canada as a military and economic burden since troops
were sent there and the British merchants were obligated to buy products from
the colonies. It was less expensive to buy products directly from Europe.
The Repeal of the Corn Laws or Wheat
Laws, pages 16 &17.
In 1804, wheat grown in Canada was
not taxed when it entered England, so the people benefited from inexpensive
wheat and Canadian colonies could do well economically. The British referred to wheat also as corn. In 1846, the British wanted even less
expensive food and other products from Europe rather than just Canada. The cancellation or repeal of the Corn Laws
benefited the British but not Canadian exporters who could not compete with
European products.
The End
of Reciprocity
In 1854,
Britain and its colonies in North America (British North America/ B.N.A.) practised free trade or did not tax products
that moved back and forth between the United States and Canada or B.N.A. However,
in 1865, free trade or reciprocity ended and B.N.A. or the Canadian colonies
now had to find new customers from other countries. The economy was hurt.
Defending
the Colonies
The Fenian
Brotherhood was an Irish terrorist group that raided parts of Canada in
efforts to take Canada hostage, so Ireland would free of British or English
rule. . The Fenian raids highlighted
Canada or B.N.A.’s vulnerability to invasion or threats. Likewise, the American Civil War, the St.
Albans’ Raid and the Trent Incident highlighted the possibility of an American
invasion or raid.
Manifest
Destiny
On three occasions,
America threatened to annex or take over Canada. During the gold rush of British Columbia and American
settlers who traded and poured in the Red River, Canada felt threatened by the
possibility of an increasingly large American presence. Even American traders from Montana would
operate illegal whiskey trading posts in Alberta. This threatened the sovereignty and safety of
the Canadian frontier Manifest Destiny
is the belief among American politicians that it was their right and destiny to
control all of North America and to oust Britain from influencing their sphere
of the world.
Page 17
1. By cancelling the Reciprocity Treaty,
free trade ended between the Canadian colonies (B.N.A.) and the United
States. When businesses now traded
products across the border, they were taxed.
This protected local businesses but slowed down the economies of both
nations. Canadian cities and business
people need to find new markets or new nations with which to trade. This created economic uncertainty.
2. Britain felt that it was a huge
economic or costly burden to provide military protection to Canadians and
Canadians feared that American politicians would use Manifest Destiny to
justify an invasion of British North America or parts of Canada.
3. Confederation or the joining of
former British colonies in present-day Canada to unite as one to form a strong
economic, political and military force against American invasions or dominance.
Inside British North America (B.N.A.), page 18.
An Economic Challenge
By 1860, Canada West, Canada East and the Maritimes had railway but they
were not joined or connected across the mid-west and West Coast of the future
nation. Britain and America produced more manufactured goods and B.N.A.
depended on importing these finished products.
A Political Challenge
Four main parties existed. Two were French and another two were
English. Politicians were unable to
agree or to pass bills that would become laws.
This became known as political deadlock and the early nation was
politically dysfunctional.
A Geographic Challenge
The future Canada would become the second largest nation on Earth and the
physical barriers such as mountains and great distances created challenges to
unification. Likewise, there was a
tremendous cost and level of planning required to create a trans-continental
railway that would stretch from “sea to sea.”
Page 19
1. A national railway had three
benefits: B.N.A. colonies stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coasts and
this would unite the nation; distances could be travelled within less time;
trade would increase.
2. The British government wanted Canada
East, which was mainly French Canadian, and Canada West, which was mainly
English Canadian, to have an equal number of political representatives. However, this only divided the nation since
neither side could agree.
3. Intercolonial means or suggests the
following: inter implies internal and
colonial implies an area controlled by an empire. Intercolonial railway suggests that the
colonies would be internally linked through a railway.
Politics
in the United Province of Canada, pages 20 and 21.
Canada West
and Canada West would try to defeat new legislation that would benefit either
end of the country, so political deadlock was created. Some advocated or
supported representation by population or “rep by pop.” If a region had fewer people, then they
would have fewer representatives or political power whereas the region with a
greater population would have more of a say in government through more representatives.
French Canadians wanted to preserve their culture, identity and historical ties
and fear that an English-speaking majority would challenge rights for Roman Catholics
or French schools.
Canada
West Parties: Tories & Reformers
Tories:
-led by John A. Macdonald
-promoted business in Canada West or
English Canada
-believed in protecting French rights
Reformers:
-led by George Brown
-believed in “rep by pop”
-wanted Canada West to expand into
Rupert’s Land or Canada’s mid-west
Bleu
Party
-led by George-Etienne Cartier
-supported the Roman Catholic Church
in Canada
-opposed or did not believe in “rep
by pop”
-wanted to
protect French rights and culture
Rouge
Party
-led by Antoine-Aime Dorion
-wanted a clear separation between
religion and government
-wished for an American or republican
form of government or more direct voting powers
Page 21
1. The argument over an equal number of
representatives or representation by population depends on the situation. If one region wanted to dominate the other
region, clearly “rep by pop” would benefit them. However, if a country wished to have more
equity in terms of balancing powers between two cultures then it would be
beneficial to have an equal number of representatives. In either case, a region normally wants the
system that benefits itself the most in the short run. In some cases, a region would also have to
evaluate the long term implications of ignoring the rights of another
region. This could lead to future
tensions.
2. There were four things that the parties in Canada East
and West disagreed upon:
a) Expansion into the western frontiers
of North America
b) The power of the Roman Catholic
church in Canada
c) The preservation of French rights
d) Rep by pop versus equal votes
3. Canada West initially preferred equal
representation when it had a smaller population since they would have equal
power, but this attitude changed once the population of Canada West began to
increase. More people began to favour
“rep by pop.”
The Road
to Confederation, page 22
Brown and
other party leaders agree to end political deadlock by working together to form
the Dominion of Canada. Three
conferences allowed this to happen:
1) The Charlottetown Conference
Delegates from the United Province of Canada or Canada West and Canada
East joined the Maritime Union or Atlantic colonies in P.E.I. to discuss the
possibility of connecting the United Province of Canada to the Maritime Union
via railways. Since not all Atlantic
colonies agreed, the delegates met again in Quebec City.
2) the Quebec Conference
Although Newfoundland and P.E.I. did not join the Confederation, the
other delegates agreed to draft or write 72 Resolutions that would govern the
future Dominion of Canada.
3) The London Conference
Unlike the Americans who violently separated from the British Empire
through a revolution, Canadian delegates from Canada West, Canada East, Nova
Scotia, and New Brunswick asked permission from Westminster and the Queen of
England for approval to form a new country.
The 72 Resolutions or the rules of Canada were signed by Queen Victoria
and they became the British North America Act.
Britain helped to finance the intercolonial railway, so we would not be
an economic burden to them.
·
Who
was not consulted in the formation of the Dominion of Canada?
*women
*First Nations
*those who did not own property
Page 25
1. Confederation allowed the possibility
of increased trade, protection, the inter- colonial railway, and independence
from the British Empire.
2. Minority groups were not consulted in
the process of forming a new nation.
French Canadians could lose their culture and political representation
through “rep-by-pop.”
3. Because of the Charter of Rights, the
people of Canada can challenge the provincial and federal government through
the court system if their rights are threatened.
4. Canadians had mixed feelings of
Confederation. It is impressive that all
of these events coincided or happened at the same time and leaders were able to
put aside their differences, but not all Canadians were consulted in the
process of forming a nation.
Page 27
Federal
Powers that cover all of Canada
1. defensive or military matters
2. banks and the creation of a nation’s
currency
3. international trade
4. postal services i.e. the mail
5. Foreign or international treaties and
agreements
Provincial Powers or the Power of Each Province
1. education
2. property rights
3. licenses i.e. businesses,
professionals, and vehicles
4. hospitals and mental health
institutions
5. taxes to pay for provincial
responsibilities i.e. schools
*It would be
ridiculous if not inefficient for each province to have its own currency or
postal stamps. Likewise, because of the
matter of language and religion, the provinces were given the responsibilities
of health and education.
*Newfoundland
refused to join Canada until 1949.
Unit 1
Test: Confederation
Date:__________________________________________________________
A. You must be able to explain one of the
following terms: 15
/ marks
Rupert’s
Land________________________________________________________________
Manifest
Destiny _____________________________________________________________
political
deadlock _____________________________________________________________
the British
North America Act ___________________________________________________
prospector_______________________________________________________
the Red River
Settlement____________________________________________
the 4
options held by the colony of British Columbia_____________________________
the Hudson
Bay Company__________________________________________________
the Metis
______________________________________________________________
the
potential of Canada’s West_____________________________________________
the ethnic
diversity of Canada’s regions______________________________________
exports and
economics of each region____________________________________________
Canada
East_____________________________________________________________
Canada
West____________________________________________________________
the
importance of Halifax __________________________________________________
regional
differences ________________________________________________
the Atlantic
colonies________________________________________________
the pros and
cons of Confederation ___________________________________
the repeal
of the Corn Laws ______________________________________
the end of
the reciprocity ________________________________________
Manifest
Destiny ________________________________________________
the four early parties of Canada
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
the beliefs
of each party ________________________________________
the
disagreements of the parties __________________________________
the 72
Resolutions _________________________________________
the
Charlottetown Conference_______________________________________
the Quebec
Conference ____________________________________________
the unheard
voices of Canada________________________________________
the economic
challenges of early Canada _____________________________
the political
challenges of early Canada
______________________________
the
geographic challenges of early Canada ____________________________
the Fenian
Brotherhood ___________________________________________
the American
Civil War ____________________________________________
the St.
Albans Raid _______________________________________________
the Trent
Incident ________________________________________________
B. True and False Questions /10
marks
You will be tested on your knowledge on the following topics:
the gold rush in British Columbia, the importance of the Red River
Settlement, industries in various parts of early-Canada, the importance of the
Corn Laws and the end of the Reciprocity treaty with the United States,
representation by population, the three conferences that led to Confederation,
groups who were not consulted, the intercolonial railway and the pros and cons
of Confederation.
C. You should know which powers are
provincial and which powers are federal.
D. Choose one hypothetical and justifiable
question and answer from a list of five. /10
For example:
Had British Columbia joined the United States, how would this
have affected the Canada that we know today? Provide three possible outcomes
and support your answer.
