The impact of Scots Emigrants on Canada

Question 1

Entrepreneurs

Answer 1

Scots were influential on the development of business in Canada.
For example, by the 1920s a quarter of Canadian business leaders were born in Scotland

Question 2

Industry

Answer 2

Scots with experience of industry from home were influential in the development of Canada’s iron, steel, oil and gas industries

Question 3

Clubs and associations

Answer 3

Scottish settlers in Canada set up Scottish associations to retain and promote their scottish cultural identity.
For example, the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardineshire, Association of Winniepegg, St. Andrews assiciations were set up in Canada and ofteh had a charitabke function

Question 4

Transport

Answer 4

Scots had a major impact on the development of transport systems in
Canada.
For example, in the Transatlantic Canadian
Pacific Railway. Prime Minister John A. McDonald was a strong supporter and George Stephen at the Bank of Montreal helped finance it. Sandford Fleming was the
main engineer.

Question 5

Culture

Answer 5

Scots retained and promoted aspects of their Scottish culture.
For example, Scottish country dancing and traditional music. Canadians embraced the ceilidh, bagpipes and the fiddle. Canadian literature was influenced by writers like Burns and Sir Walter Scott. Scottish born Alexander Mclaughlin was known as the
Canadian Robert Burns due to his
impact on literature.

Question 6

Farming

Answer 6

It was farming that attracted large numbers of Scots to Canada.
For example, to the fertile districts of Ontario. Scots brought new ideas on farming with them, one being the introduction of crop rotation.

Question 7

Sport

Answer 7

The Scottish sport of curling became a very popular prominent sport in Canada. Highland games also took place.

Question 8

Places

Answer 8

Many place names in Canada were derived
from Scotland.
For example, Nova Scotia, Elgin, Aberdeen and Banff

Question 9

Fur trade

Answer 9

The Scots’ early arrival enabled them to make full use of their obvious entrepreneurial talents, no more sothan in the fur trade with Scots - in particular George Simpson dominating the Hudson
Bay Company. The company recruited heavily from the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland.

Question 10

Politics

Answer 10

Scots had a considerable impact on politics in Canada.
For example, John A. MacDonald emigrated from Scotland as a boy and rose to became Canada’s first Prime Minster shaping Canada and contributing immeasurably to its character

Question 11

Native Societies

Answer 11

The traditional life of the Native people like the Metis was changed forever by contact with immigrants such as the Scots. some of
whom saw them as uncivilised savages. As the number of immigrants increased natives were increasingly pushed off their land - the Metis eventually fighting back
(unsuccessfully) in the North West rebellion of 1885. Their leader, Louis Reil was executed.

Question 12

Religion

Answer 12

Scots contributed to the religious development of Canada through the development of the presbytarian chruch

Question 13

Education

Answer 13

Scots influenced the development of Higher Education in Canada. The world-famous McGill University was established with money from the estate of James McGill. a Glasgow emigrant. Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada was founded in 1841 by the Church of Scotland.
Scots influence can also be seen in the development of the university curriculum. Scottish universities had a broad
curriculum that included practical subjects. William Brydone Jack, a Scottish graduate from St Andrews became Principal of King’s College which became the first university in Canada to offer a degree in Engineering in
1854.

Question 14

main topics (13)

Answer 14

• Entrepreneurs
• Industry
• Clubs and Associations
• Transport
• Culture
• Farming
• Sport
• Places
• Fur Trade
• Religion
• Politics
• Education
• Native societies