7: Creating a New Country Flashcards
What is government?
The way societies organize themselves to make decisions and get things done.
Government plays a crucial role in decision-making processes in communities and countries.
How do people typically make decisions in a small group?
By talking to one another and then deciding what to do.
This informal process illustrates basic democratic principles.
What is the necessity of government in larger communities or countries?
Some kind of organization is needed to manage decision-making.
This organization helps manage the complexities of larger populations.
What type of government does Canada have?
A democracy.
In a democracy, the power rests with the people.
In a democracy, who holds the power?
The people.
Citizens exercise their power through elected representatives.
What is the role of representatives in a democracy?
To make decisions and laws in the best interest of the people.
Representatives are accountable to the citizens they serve.
What does responsible government mean?
The Cabinet must be accountable to the elected representatives.
This principle ensures that the government remains answerable to the electorate.
Fill in the blank: Government is necessary to make decisions in a community where _______ live.
thousands or millions of people.
What is government?
The way societies organize themselves to make decisions and get things done.
Government plays a crucial role in decision-making processes in communities and countries.
How do people typically make decisions in a small group?
By talking to one another and then deciding what to do.
This informal process illustrates basic democratic principles.
What is the necessity of government in larger communities or countries?
Some kind of organization is needed to manage decision-making.
This organization helps manage the complexities of larger populations.
What type of government does Canada have?
A democracy.
In a democracy, the power rests with the people.
In a democracy, who holds the power?
The people.
Citizens exercise their power through elected representatives.
What is the role of representatives in a democracy?
To make decisions and laws in the best interest of the people.
Representatives are accountable to the citizens they serve.
What does responsible government mean?
The Cabinet must be accountable to the elected representatives.
This principle ensures that the government remains answerable to the electorate.
Fill in the blank: Government is necessary to make decisions in a community where _______ live.
thousands or millions of people.
Draw the Federal Government chart.
What was the general sentiment among colonists in the 1850s regarding union?
Many colonists began to think about what they had in common and whether they could be stronger by uniting as a single country.
List the three main factors that led the colonies to consider union.
- Political deadlock in the Province of Canada
- Shifting trade relations
- Defending British North America
True or False: In 1858, there were only three colonies in British North America.
False
What was a common feature among the colonies in British North America?
They were all part of the British Empire and had parliaments like the one in Britain.
Fill in the blank: The population of British North America in 1861 included many people of _______ origin, except in Canada East.
[British]
What role did First Nations peoples play in the colonies?
First Nations peoples lived in every colony.
What was the identity of the people in Canada East compared to the rest of the colonies?
The people in Canada East were not largely of British origin.
Define ‘political deadlock’ in the context of the Province of Canada.
Political deadlock refers to a situation where political disagreements prevent effective governance.
What does ‘shifting trade relations’ imply in the context of the colonies?
It implies changes in trade patterns that may have affected economic stability and relationships among the colonies.
What significance did the year 1858 have for British North America?
It marks the time when there were seven colonies in British North America, each with its own history and identity.
What was the Province of Canada formed from?
Upper and Lower Canada
The Province of Canada was established in 1841 by uniting Upper and Lower Canada.
What was a significant issue faced by the Canadiens in the Province of Canada?
They were often outvoted on important matters
The English members in Canada West made up a majority in the Assembly.
Who was Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine?
A moderate Reformer and supporter of French language rights
La Fontaine believed he could make the political system work for the Canadiens.
What language did La Fontaine often speak in the Assembly?
French
He spoke French despite being supposed to speak English.
What did La Fontaine believe about the English members in Canada?
They were divided
La Fontaine recognized that the English were not as united as they appeared.
Fill in the blank: By the 1850s, people were unhappy with the _______.
[political system]
True or False: The English members in Canada West and the Canadiens in Canada East had separate Assemblies.
False
They had just one Assembly between them.
What was one of the reasons for the dissatisfaction among the Canadiens?
They were often outvoted
This led to discussions about dividing the Province of Canada.
What year was the Province of Canada established?
1841
Who were the two main groups that La Fontaine identified in English people residing in what is now Canada?
Reformers and Tories (Conservatives)
La Fontaine observed that despite appearances, the English were not united.
True or False: La Fontaine believed that the English were completely united.
False
La Fontaine recognized divisions among the English.
Fill in the blank: La Fontaine referred to the Conservatives as _______.
Tories
Who joined forces with Robert Baldwin to form a ‘Great Ministry’?
The Tories (also called the Conservatives)
This collaboration aimed to improve life in Canada through new laws.
What did responsible government grant to the elected assemblies?
More power
It indicated a shift towards greater self-governance.
What issue caused deadlocks in the Assembly during the 1850s?
Representation by population (rep by pop)
This issue arose from disagreements over the number of representatives based on population size.
What was the consequence of the Act of Union regarding the number of seats in the Assembly?
Canada East and Canada West had the same number of seats
This was problematic as population sizes differed significantly between the two regions.
What did Canada West demand in the 1850s?
More seats based on population
This demand stemmed from their growing population compared to Canada East.
Why did Canadiens in Canada East object to the demand for more seats in Canada West?
They would be outnumbered
This concern over representation fueled tensions and disagreements.
What economic system had previously benefited the British colonies?
The mercantile system
This system allowed colonies to support Britain’s economy through exports like furs, timber, and fish.
What happened to the mercantile system by 1846?
It was no longer working
Changes in Britain’s manufacturing industries led to a shift in trade dynamics.
What was the primary export from the British colonies that boosted Britain’s economy?
Furs, timber, wheat, and fish
These goods were crucial to the economic relationship between the colonies and Britain.
Fill in the blank: The larger the population, the more _______ members represent that population.
representatives
This principle underlies the concept of representation by population.
True or False: The political deadlock in the Assembly was solely due to representation issues.
False
Economic reasons also contributed to the need for change.
What was one effect of Britain’s taxation policies on colonial goods?
Colonial goods became inexpensive and popular in Britain
This created a favorable market for colonial products.
What caused the British colonies to depend on Britain for their goods?
The mercantile system
This system established a trade relationship that benefited both parties.
What was the state of the mercantile system in Britain by 1846?
It was no longer working
What was happening to Britain’s new manufacturing industries by 1846?
They were getting bigger
What did Britain decide to do with taxes on goods imported from all countries?
Reduce or remove taxes
What was the result of Britain reducing or removing taxes on imported goods?
Britain could sell its goods more easily
What trade policy did Britain begin to adopt?
Free trade with all countries
What effect did free trade have on Britain’s market?
Britain had an assured market for their goods
What was the attitude of the British towards their colonies at the time?
They began to wonder why they were keeping the colonies
Why did Britain no longer need the colonies for trade?
They could sell goods elsewhere
What did Britain want the colonies to do regarding their own governments?
Pay for their own governments and defense
In return for the colonies paying for their own governance, what would Britain provide?
Greater control over their own affairs
Fill in the blank: By 1846, Britain needed to find more places to sell its goods because the __________ system was no longer effective.
mercantile
What trade agreement was signed between the colonies in British North America and the United States in 1854?
A trade agreement that created reciprocity between the colonies and the United States.
What was the purpose of the 1854 trade agreement?
To allow fish, timber, and grain to flow both ways across the border free of any import taxes.
How long did the trade agreement between the colonies and the United States last?
10 years.
What was the outcome of the trade agreement after 10 years?
The United States cancelled the deal.
What economic situation did the colonies face after the cancellation of the trade deal?
An economic crisis due to the loss of special trade relationships with both Britain and the United States.
What solution did many people propose in response to the economic crisis?
Union of the colonies.
Why did business leaders support the union of the colonies?
They thought it made good business sense.
What advantage would the union provide to businesses in Canada East and Canada West?
Access to the Maritime ports for transporting goods overseas.
What benefit would the Maritime ports gain from the union?
More customers in a united market.
What was one way the colonies aimed to compensate for the reduction of trade with Britain and the United States?
Building a stronger market at home.
Fill in the blank: The colonies in British North America turned to the _______ after being urged by Britain to look for other markets.
United States
True or False: The cancellation of the trade agreement between the colonies and the United States was beneficial for the colonies.
False
What event soured relations between British North America and the United States?
The end of the reciprocity trade deal
The reciprocity trade deal was a trade agreement that facilitated trade between British North America and the United States.
What major conflict broke out in the United States in 1861?
Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the northern and southern states, primarily over issues of slavery and state rights.
What were the two main issues of the American Civil War?
- Slavery
- Power of the states
These issues highlighted the conflict between federal authority and states’ rights, particularly regarding the institution of slavery.
Which side did the majority of colonists in British North America support during the Civil War?
The North
Most colonists opposed slavery and thus aligned themselves with the Northern states.
What did Britain’s textile industry depend on during the Civil War?
Cotton from southern plantations
The textile industry relied heavily on cotton produced by enslaved African Americans in the southern states.
What did some Americans want to do after the North won the Civil War in 1865?
Punish Britain for supporting the South
This was a response to Britain’s perceived support of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
What belief motivated some Americans to want to take over the colonies?
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was the United States’ natural right to expand its territory across North America.
What did the colonists fear about the United States?
Potential aggression and takeover
Colonists were concerned that the United States might attempt to annex British North America.
What was one reason the colonists considered union?
To better protect themselves
The idea was that by uniting, the colonies could enhance their defense against potential threats.
Who were the Fenians?
A group of Irish Americans seeking Irish independence from British rule
The Fenians believed that attacking British territories would pressure Britain to grant Ireland independence.
What actions did the Fenians take in 1866?
Attacked border towns in the British colonies
The Fenians hoped these attacks would compel Britain to free Ireland from its rule.
