Test 1 Flashcards
Debt and Political Dead lock
There was much pressure from exterior sources in the 1860’s to push Canada towards confederation. The American Civil war in 1861-65 which created much fear for of an invasion, plus the constant pressure from Britain for the unification of the BNA pushed the Canada’s and Marimines to work towards confederation. These external problems, however, do not tell the full story. It was the internal causes that played a vital role and ultimately pushed politicians to work towards confederation.
Looking at the Reciprocity treaty between Canada and the US, it was implemented in1854 to 1864 which covered raw materials. It represented the move toward free trade however, this made the American angry. Solution for BNA became confederation which in theory would open up many economic opportunities inside Canada. This created the dead lock.
George Brown, leader of the liberal party, tries to break political deadlock by recognizing the greater population of Canada West in the electoral system.
In 1863, George Brown agrees to work with Macdonald and Catier to make major changes, which leads to the Great Coalition in 64 (conservative and reform party)
This period after the acceptance of the principle of responsible government, governments in canada were short lived and insecure. Between 1854-64, there were 10 different governments and no government lasting long enough to give the colony any political stability. The political instability created lead to the political deadlock - where no one can move or win in government - paving the way to confederation.
FORSHADOW: lIBERAL PARTY REINTRODUCES FREE TRADE IN 1911 - led to conservative victory - fear US would swallow them.
The Charlottetown Conference
1864
Internal Cause - push to confederation
Maritimes consider some fort of Maritime Union - they hold a meeting. The Canada’s ask to attend this meeting.
Canada delegations - tells them how they will divide power.
main features: continual loyalty to the crown, strong central government within a federal union, rep of house of commons, regional representation in senate.
lead to a meeting a few months later - the quebec conference.
Britain encouraged a Maritime Union so they would be less dependent on the crown. They could also provide greater economic and military power for region - american civil war..
George Brown discussed the constitution - staying within British Empire.
Most Maritimes agreed, larger would be better for them.
The Quebec Conference
1864 - internal
conflict with strong central government opposed to stronger provincial rights.
they divided the powers between province and federal.
have an elected lower house - HOC and upper - SENATE
72 resolutions - laid out the framework of the constitution. adopted by majority of canada…. canada has strong central government,
Cartier played big role in convincing french-canadian members of legislature to accept resolutions (although he did not support strong central government)
Lead to the debating of confederation.. first nations were left out (subjects, not citizens), Upper canada in favour - they benefited (ontario).
NS with Joseph Howe opposed confederation.. NS was doing well with the shipping industry.
PEI rejects confederation.. Britain owned much of their land, they acted as serfs. they believed if they joined canada, same thing would happen to them.
Newfoundland rejects confederation. economic downfall - figured they were better off with Britain. Apathy, not many strong reasons.
The Territorial evolution of Canada (First Nations Before Confederation)
1867-1882
Ontario and Quebec 4/5 of Canada - rest in the Maritimes.
Fishing, Hunting, Lumbering main industries.
1 in 5 lived in urban centres.
3.5 million people.
4 united colonies: Ont, Que, NS, NB.
boundaries of north-west canada reflect admin organizations - first HBC then gov of canada.
ruperts land acquired northwest territories.
Manitoba joins in 1877.
in 1871 - BC joins the federation as a province with the boundaries obtained in 1866. The fear of losing the west secured with BC.
Perfect example of imperialism.
Newfoundland wanted more, not involved.
1880, canada acquires title to Arctic lands that become party of NWT.
July 1880, British transfers all territories/possessions to canada - except newfoundland.
1882, alberta was created.
new districts created to govern new territories.
First Nations: the balance began to swing against First Nations. whites did not want to deal with them any more, they no longer needed their help, as they did during 1812 and 7 year war. With the spread of imperialism, first nations became wards of state.. started a rtesistence..
The Red River Resistance
imperialism..
with the spread of white.. new nations followng conferd, the first nations looked to as wards of the state, no longer needed, 1812, 7 year war…
there was rapid change in the 1860’s in the red river settlements.
tention grew between protestant and metis catholic. many new settlers - protestants - were racist to the indians. There was on going fear america would invade and take over..
in 1869, canada purchases ruperts land, mcdougall being the govenor, sends out spectators which was a bad idea, strongly disagreed (HBC) due to resistence and hostitlities. they do it anyways..
they were stopped by Louis Riel - they claim their own authority over the land and try to claim land with government… they make foolish moves on their own, however… Fort Gary - small HBC fort, Riel captures, makes them look rebellious.. Later arrests 2 men, one being Thomas Scott, makes Riel look in humane when he murders them.
Forces government to negotiate.
The Manitoba Act was created in 1870. rather then fight, this document was created. Red river could enter as a province of Manitoba… really small… incorporated Riels demands - french schools, catholicism ect… Meeting the Metis half way… sorta.. After arangement made, troops sent out, took 3 months to get there, many feared the provisional government would crush Riel government.. Riel fleed to the states and was exiled from canada for 5 years.. he was elevted in parliament 3 consecutive times, but could not sit - would be arrested if he returned.
Louis Riel
1844-1885
canadian politician, founder of province of manitoba, political and spiritual leader of the Metis people of canadian prairies. Lead 2 resistence movements against government. Sought to preserve Metis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under canadian sphere of influence - imperialism.
growing belief he was a divinely chosen leader and prophet - beief would later resurface and influence his actions.
returned to saskatchewan to represent grievances.
Indian Act - North west Rebellion.Numbered Treaties.
The Numbered Treaties
1871-1877 was the signing of the numbered treaties between the canadian government and the indians of the north west territories.
the indians saw that their environment was changing nd sought to protect their culture from the threatening forces of non native settlers. government encourages absorption of indian cultures into broader euro-canadian society.. wanted to open north-west for settlements, thought assimilation would be best for natives. Other both parties had different objectives, both though treaties would solve their problems and help acheive goals. the government and the indians employed similar means toward very dissimilar ends.
goals : assimilate and bring civilization to first nations peoples… to extinguish aboriginal land titles to north west
There was much misinterpretation… first nations agreed to give up possession in return for amenities… however government never held up.. they thought it meant something else.
The Indian Act
Part of imperialism. Passed in 1876.
indians ward of the state - no citizenship privileges
reserves viewed as training grounds into whiteness. trained to be canadian.
cultural practices were outlawed.. residential schools.
Lead to the policy of Assimilation… outlawing cultural practices. the potlash ceremony for example. reinforced native traditions, went against capitalistic approach… looked more like communism - sharing everything.
they used extortion, tried to undermine first nations cultural practices, residential schools. Lead to future problems - north west rebellion.
The North West Rebellion
Result of imperialism… 1885
Indian Act in 1876.
Following the red river resistance in late 1860 early 70’s Metis moved further west to Batoche. clash with protestant and anti native settlers. buffalo economy destroyed.
Riel returns to lead another rebellion (metis ask him back).
This time around. some mental issues. He is not the same guy as before. Called himself David.. prophet. doing gods work…
they asked for liberal treatment for natives, land grants, more mixed blood, responsible governmentfor north west (democratic), representatio nin ottawa, reduce farers tariffs, construction of railway. government said they would look into it.. all they did was do a survey.
situation was different in 86 opposed to 67. now a police force, thousands of settlers, large citizen militia, railway
the railways completed in 85, troops could be sent out easily.
outcome from the unfair treaties
Frog Lake, Fish Creek, Batoche
May 15, surrender of Riel, Big Bear, Poundmaker
125 prosecuted, 8 hung. sent message to first nations community.
sent out photos of big bear in chains - deterrence
riel was hung
northwest turning point, the white would dominate… elected government where no metis were present. dominance of white.
with execution of Riel, conservative support reduced. Lead to rise of liberalism.
Coalition of french and english no more. Still to day, not much conservative support.
The Canada First Movement
The Canada First Movement sought to promote a new canadian nationalism based on race and ethnicity. In 1868, english speaking nationalist formed a committee, how it would be great for anglo saxon race. They were concerned with the lack of myths, symbols, and national spirit. National feelings over partisanship. However, conflicting visions: french canadian nationalism..
do not agree with english first. Ultramontane movement late 19th century. subordination to the church, church comes first. lafleche and bourget. pope supreme power over civil matters…. french and english heavily rely on are/religion/ethnicity.
The Manitoba School Question
1980-96
lAURIER FEBERAL lIBERAL PARTY LEADER 1887.
french nationalism - not as quebec as a nation but french candians across the nation.
The School question creates tension french/english divide. no more support for french schools. Manitoba abolished French schools and language. Catholics look to federal government - they try to come up with solution… a 9 member board run seperate school system in Manitoba. Supported by roman catholic own tax money forcing province to share grants with schools. Did not pass because parliament was dissolved.
The english outnumbered the french in manitoba..
Laurier wins in 1896, strikes compromise with Manitoba premier… teach french 30min a day, when 10 pupils speak french, offered bilingual… Roman Catholic furious, lets them get rd of schools, nothing they could do, they were the minority.
The Boer War
1899-1902
British Empire vs dutch settlers.
Many english canadians supported britains cause, most french candians and recent immigrants why canada should fight in a war halfway around the world.Laurier did not commit his government, bonds were strong and public pressure mounted. Laurier agrees to send battalion of volunteers to south africa.
The Naval Crisis
1910
arms race for a navy
They wanted to contribute to the cause.
There was the britain and German arms race… Dreadnaught.
conservatives favoured giving money to British, cash donation. Liberals favour creation of canadian navy - tim pot navy
In the 19th century, there was not much need for a navy. The defence of the dominion was primarily the UK responsibility. American Civil war, nothing followed with navy after - seemed like a waste.
In the 20 century, navy race with germany and UK. bOTH SIDES LOOKING FOR AN EDGE.
Britain called upon the dominion for assistance.
they asked for money to build fleet. many nations did, british canadians figured liberals would do the same. the public ws divided as having anything to do with british naval.
Compromise: nAVAL sERVICE biLL. Department of Naval services - operate a small canadian navy. controlled by ottawa - war times for british. naval college contructed in halifax. order construction of ships and destroyers to create own navy.
Reaction:
British would rather them send money to them, but would take any help. British offered two old cruisers to canada.
Many against this.. leader Bourassa.. worse then giving money to britain. ended up with loss of french support.
defeat in 1911 election.
conservative come to power.. replace bill with sending money over.
the 1911 Election
Laurier was attacked on two fronts, could not win. his famous ‘i am canadian’, Ontario and quebec imperialist combine to have him out of office. Robert Boydan wins election.
Eve of war, no contribution to the wwi
The National Policy
Alexander Mackenzie pursues reciprocity with the US - free trade… Macdonald disagrees and promotes the National Policy…he wins following election in 1878 with this policy.
Policy consisted of 1) raising tariffs. a system of high tariffs - it is important to build up the cities and manufacturing districts as Britain did - they could be as successful. Taxes on imports, provide capital that taxed from US pay for railway. West could then be developed.
2) With money generated, the railway could be built. Pros of railway..
3) Settlements of north west.. bringing immigrants over to populate.
Seems like a good idea/good intentions.
However, the National policy was not good for all of canada, only central. With the rise of tariffs, other countries do the same - tarriff war… economic downturn and regional dissatisfaction in Maritimes
struggling fish industries - many out of work - look for help from government who do nothing. The conservatives lost the Maritime support, lost provincial election - liberal now.
Can see implements of it today.. high liberal /NDP support.
