Unit 1: A New Century Flashcards
Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada and why was he significant?
Sir Wilfred Laurier. He was the first French-Canadian prime minister, nicknamed “Mr. Compromise”. Known for promoting national unity between French and English Canadians.
What are the 4 different kinds of historical evidence (sources)?
- Primary sources - first hand account of an event from people who had a direct connection
- Secondary sources - created by someone who did not directly witness the event. explains/describes primary sources
- Archeology - study of history through the excavation of sites and analysis of artifacts
- Oral - recording and preservation of spoken historical events
What are the main 3 types of history?
- Political: study of political events, movements, leaders, ideologies, and institutions
- Economic: study of economies changing over time
- Social: study of society, everyday life, & regular people
When did Confederation happen?
July 1st, 1867
Where did the three conferences take place?
Charlottetown, Quebec, London
Why did colonies join Confederation?
-threat of American takeover
-they needed the railroad
-difficulties trading with Britain and the United States
-attitude towards Britain was changing
Who did Laurier appoint as Minister of Interior?
Clifford Sifton
What policy towards immigration did Clifford Sifton adopt?
An “open door” policy - anyone can come. However, the door was open to only select immigrants (Europe + the U.S.)
Who does Clifford Sifton discourage the immigration of?
Black people, Jews, Italians, Asians
What made immigration work? (5 points)
- lots of open farmland
- wheat prices = high in europe, so it was profitable to be a farmer in Canada
- farm machinery is becoming more affordable
- Dominion Land Act of 1872 makes land cheaper
- Canada has a good railway, so shipping to europe is easier
What were some push factors for immigrants to move to Canada?
War, few jobs, little available land, oppression, crowded cities, political/economic instability
What were some pull factors for immigrants to move to Canada?
Peace, freedom, more space, better housing, religious freedom
Who replaced Clifford Sifton as Minister of Interior (and when)?
Frank Oliver, in 1905
How did Frank Oliver change the immigration policies?
He got rid of Sifton’s “open door” policy, wanting to reduce the number of immigrants and return to a focus on British immigrants
Who were the British Home Children, where were they placed and what industries did they work in after leaving the Home Children system?
They were British children who got shipped overseas to Canada. They were placed in foster homes and forced to work on farms and as domestic servants. They worked in manufacturing, logging, mining and service industries after leaving the system.
Where did the Doukhobors come from? What did the Canadian government guarantee to them and where did they work?
They came from Russia. They were guaranteed 750,000 ha of land and that they wouldn’t have to serve in the military (they were pacifists). They worked on the railways and ploughed the fields.
What was the Chinese Head Tax?
Attempt to restrict the immigration of Chinese people after the railway was built. It was a fine that Chinese immigrants had to pay (per person) in order to enter Canada
What was Continuous Journey Regulation?
The result of discriminatory restrictions on Indian immigration
What natural resources helped the economy in Canada drastically change in the early 1900s?
gold, zinc, pulp, copper, iron ore, fish, coal, paper
What were some industrial resources?
Automobiles, tools, farm equipment, appliances, clothes, steel
Why was the assembly line revolutionary?
It allowed for large scale production
What is urbanization?
large numbers of people moving from rural areas to cities, leading to growth and expansion of urban areas
What is industrialization?
Shifting an economy from agriculture based to based on industry, machine production and factories
What is progressivism?
social and political movement - late 19th century/early 20th century. aimed to address problems caused by industrialisation, urbanization and inequality through government action.
Where did more workers go as industry grew?
Cities
Where did poor immigrants live in cities?
Slums and tenements; families often forced to live in one room apartments
Why did unions exist?
To get better pay and better working conditions, they banded together to bargain with the factory company owners and go on strike
What were Lauriers three choices for the future of Canada?
- Continentalist path: become closer ally to the United States
- Imperialist path: become closer ally with England
- Nationalist path: create an indépendant, separate country
***Laurier choses the Nationalist path
What were the three challenges that Laurier faced?
- The Boer War (1899-1902)
- fought between the British Empire and the Boers (Dutch settlers) for diamonds, gold and land in South Africa
-English-Canadians were eager to support Britain, French-Canadians were not
-Laurier ended up sending volunteers and spent $2.8 million on the war - Alaskan Boundary Dispute
- dispute over the border between Alaska and Canada after Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867
- Both countries wanted the gold; Britain sides with America - The Naval Crisis
- Britain wanted a bigger navy, asked Canada for $$$ to build superweapons
- the Naval Service Act was passed: Canada will build its own navy and Britain can borrow it if necessary
What is hubris?
Extreme pride and self confidence (that usually leads to their downfall)
