M&E Exam Practice 1

Question 1

Hudson Bay

Answer 1

Scots dominated the Hudson Bay Company and traded mainly in furs.

This had a positive impact on the economy of Canada because many Scots were extremely successful and made their fortunes in the company including the Orchadians who were recruited for their skills in trapping animals.

Question 2

Canadian Pacific Railway

Answer 2

The Canadian Pacific Railway was heavily funded and run by Scots such as Lord Mount Stephen who used his banking business to fund the project and Sanford Fleming who was its lead engineer.

This has a positive impact on the economy of Canada because it opened up parts of the country which hadn’t previously been accessible, allowing trade networks to improve.

Question 3

Business Elite

Answer 3

Scots were dominant in many industries including the textile, furniture making and oil trades.

This had a positive impact on the Canadian economy because by the end of the century, a third of the business elite in Canada was of Scottish origin even though the first generation of Scots only made up 16% of the population, clearly showing how successful they were

Question 4

John MacDonald

Answer 4

Canada’s first Prime Minister, John MacDonald was a Scot as was his successor, Alexander Mackenzie.

This had a positive impact on the culture of Canada because along with seven other ‘founding fathers’ of Canadian democracy, John MacDonald guided Canada to independence in 1867.

Question 5

Schools/ universities

Answer 5

Many Scots helped to establish various schools and universities as well as influencing the curriculum.

This had a positive impact on the culture of Canada because universities like McGill university, founded using money from the estate of politician and merchant James McGill, developed and improved education in Canada.

Question 6

Pastimes/ sports

Answer 6

Scots brought many pastimes they enjoyed in Scotland to Canada with them.

This had a positive impact on the culture of Canada because they have become part of Canadian life and bagpipe playing, whiskey tasting and ceilidhs were, and still are, extremely popular in Canada.

Question 7

Native Canadians

Answer 7

Scots worked closely with the native Canadians whilst working in the Hudson Bay company.

This had a positive impact on the native societies of Canada because close relationships developed and this led to intermarriage between the two groups.

Question 8

Metis People

Answer 8

Many Scots were not respectful towards the Metis or Natives and often saw them as inferior.

This had a negative impact on the native societies of Canada because Scots often forced people off of their land despite what they had faced in Scotland and caused the native and metis people to resent them.

Question 9

Land/ Agriculture

Answer 9

Many Scots took advantage of the vast amounts of land available in Canada in order to raise crops and cattle.

This had a positive impact on the economy of Canada because Scots had already developed farming skills in Scotland so used them to grow the Canadian economy

Question 10

Banks

Answer 10

The introduction of banks was a further reason why Scots had a positive impact on the Canadian economy because many banks including Canada’s first bank, the Bank of Montreal, established in 1817, were established by Scots and the Bank of Nova Scotia was managed and dominated by Scottish immigrants