HISTORY UNIT 1 ATLANTIC COLONIES Flashcards
What were the four Atlantic colonies in British North America during the mid-1800s?
Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia
What significant event involving some of the Atlantic colonies occurred in July 1st 1867?
Some of the colonies united to form the Dominion of Canada (Confederation). (other colonies joined in the later 1800s or early 1900s)
Were the Atlantic colonies identical in their characteristics?
No, despite being in the same region, they had distinct characteristics
What was Newfoundland primarily known for economically in the mid-1800s?
In Newfoundland, families made a living by fishing the rough waters of the North Atlantic.
Fisheries
What was Prince Edward Island primarily known for economically in the mid-1800s?
Agriculture
What was Nova Scotia primarily known for economically in the mid-1800s?
Shipping and coal mining
What was New Brunswick primarily known for economically in the mid-1800s?
Forestry, shipbuilding, lumber, iron, and mining
Which two Atlantic colonies were particularly important for shipbuilding?
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
What was the political status of the Atlantic colonies in the mid-1800s?
They were separate colonies under direct British government control
What impact did British colonization have on Aboriginal people in the Atlantic colonies?
Britain established colonies and territories on Aboriginal lands
What was the general economic situation for the working and middle classes in the booming industries of the Atlantic colonies?
Many had opportunities but most struggled financially
Which groups in the Atlantic colonies benefited most from the booming industries?
Merchants, shipbuilders, and other businesspeople, leading to a wealthy upper class
Who was Joseph Salter and what were his key business ventures?
He was a successful New Brunswick businessman and politician involved in shipbuilding and later mining in Nova Scotia
What was the name of the famous ship built in New Brunswick in 1851?
The Marco Polo, known as the fastest ship in the world at the time
What was a significant agricultural issue in Prince Edward Island during the mid-1800s?
A large proportion of farmers were tenants who paid rent to landlords, sometimes leading to violent conflict
What was a common economic challenge faced by fishing families in Newfoundland?
They were often in debt to wealthy merchants
What were the main trading partners of the Atlantic colonies in the first half of the 1800s?
Britain, the United States, the West Indies, and Latin America
What was the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 and what impact did it have on the Atlantic colonies?
It was a treaty between Britain and the United States allowing free trade of agricultural products and natural resources, leading to increased trade with the U.S.
What happened to trade relations after the American Civil War ended in 1865? (1861-1865)
The United States ended the Reciprocity Treaty and heavily taxed goods from British North America, causing the Atlantic colonies to lose a valuable market
What were the working conditions like for most children from non-wealthy families in the 1800s Atlantic colonies?
They had to work from a young age in conditions that were generally harder and more dangerous than today. They often worked as much as adults in farms, mills, factories, and mines but for lower wages.
Did the British North American colonies have the same child labour protection laws as Britain?
No, the British North American colonies did not have such laws, and children as young as 7 or 8 were often sent to work
Provide an example of child labour in the mining industry in Nova Scotia.
By 1866, 449 boys were working in coal mines in Nova Scotia, representing almost 15 percent of the mining workforce
Provide an example of child labour in the fishing industry in the Atlantic colonies.
In New Brunswick fishing communities like Miscou Island, girls as young as 10 cleaned and prepared fish for merchants for low wages
What were the Peace and Friendship treaties (1725-1779) between the British government and First Nations in the Atlantic colonies?
These treaties guaranteed Aboriginal rights to hunt and fish throughout the region and to maintain a reasonable livelihood
What did Mi’kmaq Chief Noel Briot do, and what happened as a result?
Chief Noel Briot petitioned the government to prevent the sale of Mi’kmaq reserve land, particularly the marsh. However, his plea was rejected by the government
What significant injury did Martin Butler experience as a young man that highlights the dangers of the workplace in the 1800s?
Martin Butler lost his right arm at the age of 18 when it was caught in a piece of machinery.
What do the experiences of Martin Butler reveal about life in the Atlantic Colonies in the 1800s?
Martin Butler’s life shows that working-class children often worked hard from a young age to help their families. His story also highlights both the limited work opportunities and the dangerous working conditions present in the industries of the time.
Highlight key roles of Joseph Salter, a businessman in the Atlantic Colonies, including his position in Moncton and his career shift from shipbuilding to mining.
-Elected the first mayor of Moncton in 1855.
-Ran a major shipbuilding company in NB in the 1850s which became one of the largest employers of the Atlantic Colonies.
-Switched to mining in Nova Scotia in 1859 due to a drop in demand for his ships.
For whom was the mid-1800s considered an uncertain time in the Atlantic Colonies? Briefly describe why for a couple of examples.
The mid-1800s presented uncertainty for tenant farmers in Prince Edward Island, as they often faced the risk of eviction if they couldn’t pay their rent. Additionally, fishing families in Newfoundland experienced uncertainty due to their frequent indebtedness to wealthy merchants who controlled the fishing trade.
What happened as BNA industrialized?
Demands for goods increased, and more children spent their days in dangerous working conditions.
How did Martin Butler spend his childhood?
He spent his childhood working and contributing to the family income. The family created shingles for roofs from discarded logs after their jobs of farming and lumbering went down. At the age of 11, Butler left home to work for another family as a household servant and store clerk, receiving room and board.
How did Martin Butler spend the rest of his life?
He became a poet and printer, continuing to work odd jobs to support himself.
Which First Nations signed Peace & Friendship Treaties with the British Government between 1725-1779.
Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy First Nations
From the arrival of European and US immigrants expecting cheap or free land, what happened to First Nations’ reserved territories in the mid-1800s?
The government did little to protect the small territories reserved for First Nations, as The government wanted land for new settlers and held unfair views about First Nations.
How did the growth of colonist industries on traditional First Nations land affect First Nations’ livelihoods?
Colonists gained from industries on Indigenous land but rarely employed First Nations. Consequently, local First Nations attempted to sustain themselves by selling harvested goods (maple syrup, berries, other wild produce) and handmade items (baskets, brooms, barrels) to the colonists.
