Geography 1120 Final Exam Flashcards
Provide a brief history of Africville from its founding to destruction. Mention two specific historical processes by which people of African origin came to live in that region. Use the concepts of environmental racism and negative amenities, and explain how Africville illustrates the ways in which spatial boundaries reinforce social boundaries.
Africville was a black community located outside of Halifax. It was founded in the 1800s and destroyed in the 1960s. Many people of African origin came as black loyalists or by slavery through the underground rail round. As they arrived, they were given this land in Halifax and Nova Scotia. The community of Africville experienced environmental racism because he land that they were offered were near negative amenities like garbage dumps, a bone mill, a slaughterhouse, etc.. The ideas of white and black people were reinforced by spatial and social boundaries. Since the individuals of Africville were pushed to live on the outside, they were not offered services and were denied regular amenities which resulted in everyone living around them to think of them as scavengers. It created a perception that undesirable individuals should be living in undesirable areas.
Explain “the tragedy of the commons” thesis. What assumptions does this theory entail?
The destruction of renewable resources that are not privately owned, such as fisheries and forests. This theory assumes that all people are greedy, when the truth is that it was not always how people were.
Use the concepts of frontier mentality, capitalism, and rational choice theory to explain the
decimation of fish stocks in Atlantic Canada.
The land outside of European settlement was deemed as “free”. Everyone had access to the land and it was an unlimited opportunity for resource extraction. This idea resulted in the decline of Atlantic Cod because individuals had the mindset that they wanted to maximize their profits for self gain. Capitalism played a key role in this because it resulted in endless growth, individuals always wanted to have more in order to make a profit and once they ran out of fish, they assumed that they can go somewhere else to exploit.
What is “bycatch”?
the unwanted fish or marine creatures that are caught during commercial fishing, it is usually about 40%-90% of the catch. They are often just killed for no reason.
Do you think fish should be viewed as a resource, or as sentient beings deserving of rights and
protections? Can they be both? Explain your reasons for your answer.
I think fish should be viewed as both, in order to be a resource, they should be humanely caught without the destruction of the marine ecosystem. It should not be done with a frontier mentality as well as fish farms. It can be viewed as a resource for animals needing it to survive.
Explain the concept of “all my relations.”
it means that all living things are connected, to each other and to the Creator, the Higher Power. I cannot exist without you and you cannot exist without me. What I do affect you and others and what you do affects me. Everything we do has an effect on others and on our world.
List benefits and challenges associated with fish farms.
Benefits: - jobs are created - affordable source of meats - short term economic benefits Concerns: - PCBs levels are 16x greater - tonnes of waste dumped onto the ocean floor - sea lice, parasites, feed lot diseases enter wild food chains - lots of chemicals
List some similarities between fish and other animals such as dogs or humans.
- feel pain
- excellent long term memories
- solve logistical problems
- build structures
- pass knowledge on to younger generations
- develop lasting friendships
List 2 ways in which Atlantic Canada participated in the triangle (slave) trade.
Exports from Atlantic Canada were cod and timber, while imports were manufactured goods from England such as sugar and rum. The ships that transported the slaves were made out of timber and the sugar and rum were made by slaves. Most of the goods were made by slaves, but no one mentions them at all.
According to Dr. Joseph Mensah, what is the main source of racism faced by Black Canadians
today?
The history of blacks were never exposed in our school system. We were taught histories that dwell on the glorification of whites and other visible minorities.
Define environmental racism.
the disproportionate location of potentially hazardous sites or industries near low income, racialized populations and the working poor
Is Atlantic Canada experiencing a population boom or a population decline? What are 2 factors
behind this demographic shift?
Atlantic Canada is experiencing a population decline because there is a high unemployment rate and a strong-out migration, they hope for a better future in massive resource developments is stalled by low global prices.
In which year did Newfoundland join Canada?
1949
What happened to the Beothuk after Europeans arrived?
Their land was exploited, some were captured and sent to Europe as slaves, or were put on exhibit. They kept on getting pushed further away from their native groups due to colonialism and they had no immunity to illnesses that were brought in by the Europeans. They became extinct.
What is the source of the disagreement between Quebec and Newfoundland over the Lower
Churchill hydro project?
The 1969 Churchill Falls Agreement: Quebec didn’t accept the boundary that was offered to Newfoundland and it resulted in Quebec to benefit. Now for the new project, Newfoundland has to go through Quebec in order to reach the US and in order to do that, they trying to build an underwater and risky transmission system.
List 3 features of neoliberalism.
- the human well being is best advanced through strong private property rights and free trade
- the role of the state is to promote privatization
- states should regulate economies as little as possible
Which region has Canada’s longest growing season?
Southern Ontario
Using examples from 2 different regions, explain the core-periphery theory.
Canada’s North is exploited by the Ottawa and has them make economic decisions about Arctic Drilling.
Large corporations are exploiting Alberta’s tar sands and the Indigenous populations get their land exploited as well as experience negative externalities.
In which Canadian province do residents feel a stronger attachment to their region than to Canada as a whole?
Quebec
What were the key features of the Quiet Revolution?
It wasn’t an armed uprising, it was the reaction to the English Canadian domination and Federalism. Quebec wanted economic independence and the government invested in francophone businesses. It led to Quebec becoming independent, the creation of the Parti Quebecois as well as Bill 101.
Explain the symbolic and material significance of HydroQuebec in the Quiet Revolution and
afterwards.
Material significance was that it led to economic development, employment and export strategy to the US while the symbolic significance was that it led to independence, ownership and that it was a big part of masters of our own house.
Which is the largest province in Canada?
Quebec
Which is the largest province in Canada?
Quebec or Nunavut?
Which is the largest province in Canada?
Quebec
What are ‘allophones’?
a term to identify those whose mother tongue is not English, French or one of the Aboriginal languages
List three major industries in Quebec.
manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, generation of electric power, mining, pulp and paper
What does Bombardier produce?
commercial jet aircrafts
Describe a major environmental issue in Quebec.
discharge of agricultural, industrial and mining wastes into the atmosphere
What is the dominant form of Christianity in Quebec? Which is the dominant form in the rest of
Canada?
Quebec is Roman Catholic while the rest of Canada is just Christian.
Translate “maîtres chez nous” into English and explain its significance.
Masters of our own house, to bring Quebecers together behind nationalization and consolidation to create Hydro Quebec
Do governments have a responsibility to ensure the provision of clean drinking water on
reserves? Why/not?
I think the government does have a responsibility to ensure clean drinking water to reserves because it is the governments duty to protect us as well as provide necessities to them. First Nation’s have been through so much and the least the government can do is provide clean drinking water.
Is Quebec a “have” or a “have not” province?
“have”
According to Bone, “Northern Quebec’s geography is best suited as a resource frontier.” Do you
agree? Why/why not? Be sure to explain “resource frontier” in your answer.
Resource Frontier refers to an area on the periphery which is being opened up for resource extraction. This term definitely suites the area, but the main population within the area is Indigenous and this would be better defined as colonialism. The core is dominating this area by exploiting their natural resources.
Define economic globalization.
Deepening and widening of trade and investment flows so that more places are becoming increasingly integrated into economic processes that operate beyond the scale of the locality, the region or the nation.
What was one key feature of Fordism?
a system of mass production that led to economic growth
List three drivers of economic globalization.
- cheap, fast transportation and communications
- neoliberal economic policies
- development of global capital markets
What are three key elements of free trade
- elimination of tariffs
- creation of free trade zones
- reduction or elimination of subsidies for local businesses so that overseas firms are more competitive
What does the acronym, NAFTA, stand for? What year was it signed? Who signed it (which
countries)?
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- 1994
- Mexico, USA and Mexico
Outline three effects that NAFTA had on Mexico.
- unemployment increased
- productivity increased but labour costs decreased
- gap between Mexico’s poor and wealthy areas widened
Name the 5 Great Lakes.
HOMES
- Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior
Outline three effects that NAFTA had on Canada.
- productivity increased, wages decreased
- unionized jobs disproportionately affected
- increased consumer debt
List two ways in which the power of Canadian workers has declined since the 1970s.
- de-unionization
- offshoring of manufacturing jobs
How do the migrant workers in the film El Contrato illustrate the concept of the reserve army of labour?
The workers couldn’t find work in Mexico, so they came to Canada. Since they are desperate for a job to support their families, they used to work under awful conditions for a low wage. If they speak up for their rights, they are often reminded that their jobs are easily replaceable.
What do the Mexican labourers in the film El Contrato contribute to Ontario? What are some of the challenges they face?
- workers often get homesick and miss their family
- housing if awful, they are packed into small living spaces
- awful working conditions, often overworked and they are not protected
Using examples from the film El Contrato, reflect on the uneven results of free trade & neoliberalism for Canada and Mexico.
- since neoliberalism encourages the state to create a good climate for businesses by lowering taxes as well as deregulation, the free trade agreement caused unemployment to increase in Mexico resulting in many to migrate to Canada or the states to look for work. Since they are already so vulnerable, they would often work under conditions that are great. Work 7 days a week, for 10 hours at only $7 an hour which results in increased productivity and lower wages.
List 3 crops grown in Ontario.
Soybeans, Corn and Wheat
n which two provinces does most manufacturing take place?
Ontario and Quebec
Which province has the largest population?
Ontario
Briefly describe one environmental challenge in Ontario
air pollution from vehicle exhaust. The number of vehicles are on the rise, but the numbers of efficient engines and electric cars are on the rise as well which has limited the increase of exhaust fumes
