Unit 3 Flashcards
What is assimilation and the Indian Act?
Assimilation is a minority group/culture adapts to changes to fit into the predominant culture with the majority of rule. The Indian Act was a law passed by the Canadian government to decide who is Indian and who could own reserves. Along with the legal rights of First Nations, however it was unfortualty used to assimilate them.
What were Residential Schools and the ‘White paper’?
Institutions created by the Canadian government to eliminate the heritage and culture of the First Nation children, through emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. many children even dying. It was used to ‘kill the Indian in the child’. The white paper was a law the revoked the Indian act- more assimilation.
How did the beliefs of First Nations differ from those of Europeans? How did this challenge liberalism?
First nation individuals give great significance to the land it also has spiritual connections. They also have heavy collectivist ideologies, these ran their society. However, Europeans had a more individualistic ideology. This challenged liberalism, as Europeans had the mindset that they did what they want and what is best for themselves. However First nation people, functioned as a whole always considering each other. When it came to land claims, and treaties this became an issue. Due to the difference in opinions on the land. First nations wanted to separate, following their own, regimes, which conflicted with the European ones - self government.
What are the Three Laws generally followed and respected by First Nations?
Laws of Sacred Life - spiritual forces are gifts intended to aid survival rather than threaten it.
Laws of Nature - All of creation is interconnected and manifest in the spirit of the creator.
Laws of Mutual Support - Humankind must live in respectful relationship with all that has been created
What is the ‘War of Terror’
An ideological, political, and military policy headed by the US
(also taken up by Canada) as defense to the terrorist attacks that took place (9/11). Troops sent to countries in order to remove the power of the taliban. (Known to have connections to Al-Queda - caused 9/11)
What was the imposition of liberalism, freedom, democracy, etc in Iraq?
Women in Iraq had no rights, under the Taliban. The Taliban is a terrorist group that was ruling over Afghanistan and Iraq. This was unsuccessful as the UN was against the US-led invasion. Many countries like France for example did not feel it was right. The US used the ‘war of terror’ to invade Iraq. Today Iraq is neither a liberal nor democratic country. The invasion in 2003 did nothing but increase tensions.
Afghanistan
How was the imposition of liberalism controversial in residential schools?
I guess you could say residential schools were successful in doing what they were designed to do. But overall they were horrible things that were extremely unsuccessful. Liberalistic principles state that individuals should be given rights and freedoms and the government should have a minimal role and say in this. it is ironic because Europeans did exactly the opposite. They, the government forced the first nations to assimilate and become more like them, to pick up their lifestyles and give up theirs.
What are some democratic/political practices that reflect liberalism?
- Consensus decision making - When a group of members share ideas and solutions on a topic eventually coming to a resolution that all members are okay with.
- Direct Democracy - All citizens have a direct say in matters of the government as it is believed that every voice of every citizen should be heard.
- Representative government - A systems with elected officials who represent the needs/wants of a group people
Free market economy - A free market economy is when government has very little to no say in the government, individuals are able to buy and sell goods as they see fit without any interference from the government.
What are some democratic/political practices that reject liberalism?
Authoritarianism - oligargy, one-party rule. Where one individual has all the power, enough to make executive decision on behalf of the entire country without discussing with anyone else. This person is a called a dictator. Countries with authoritarianism rule almost always have a dictator.
Command economy - Nothing can happen in the economy without the approval of the government.
What is majority rule
Decision making power is in the hands of the group with the most members
What is secret ballot?
Ballots that are handed in secret
What are media ‘watchdogs’ ?
They are Journalists and authors who interview and question politicians and leaders to ensure they are held accountable, and putting their words into actions.
What are interest/lobby groups?
They are groups of peoples who are interested in influencing politicians of people of power to sway on a particular issue. Groups of people who want their voices heard.
What is universal suffrage?
Is it the right of all members of society, who have reached accountability to participate in political maters; voting.
