The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Canada’s Expansion West

Canada Prior to 1900

The British Government believed that the American’s were a threat to their lands in Canada.

“Manifest Destiny”Gold Rushes 0 Cariboo gold rush 1858 /

Yukon Gold Rush 1898Civil War in USThe result was to allow ‘certain’ immigrants

into the West to populate it with allies.“Representation by population”

Why Canada?

In north western Europe posters like this one appeared all over.

These were used to lure people to Canada by men that the British hired.

Propaganda Posters

The Rupert’s Land Act was the biggest real estate deal in history.Canadian Gov’t received massive amounts of

land.They paid the HBC 300 000 poundsHBC was to keep a large amount of its trading

postsGranted it one-twentieth of land from the

entire holdingWith the stroke of a pen, the size of Canada

increased six times.

Rupert’s Land Act

The government gave free land, a quarter section, to newly arriving immigrants.

They had to pay a $10 registration fee and reside on the land for three years.

For land-hungry European's this was a ‘gift’ of 160 acres

Dominion Lands Act

In Europe there were ridged cultural classes.This means if you were poor you would stay

that way; there was no way to improve your life.

Canada enabled these people a chance to ‘rise’ socially

European lands were also taken, if you were not the first son you had nothing.

European Culture

Many of the people who came from Europe faced hardships

The land was not prepared for farming, there were no homes, support, etc.

Lifestyle of the Europeans in Canada

Soddies

The European people who came to Canada have contributed to our culture in many waysThey built up the wheat and farming industryThey stopped America’s from pushing northThey helped build the country and supported

business, such as the CPR. (Railroad)They contributed to the upcoming war effects

in WWI.Without them Canada would not be what it is

today.

Contributions of Europeans to Canada

What you think happened to the First Nations communities in Western Canada?They were relocated to reserves and their

lands were taken away.With the land in the west given away hunting

lands were smaller.Europeans did not see them as equals and

therefore racism increased.

Impact on Aboriginal Communities

There were immigrants of any other race.Anyone who was from Asia, Africa, or the

Middle East.This also included Black American’s, Jewish

peoples, and Eastern Europeans.

Undesirables

There were many Chinese Canadians living in Western Canada

They had helped build the trans-Canada Railroad.

They faced extreme racism

The Chinese Head Tax – implemented by the government, Chinese people had to pay up to $500 when they arrived in Canada.

Impact on Asian (Chinese) immigrants

Other Races…..Japanese

1908 only 400 Japanese were allowed to come to Canada

Black American’sActively discouraged

to come.Often on the

grounds that they were unsuitable for the climate.

East Indians367 Sikhs came to

Canada but didn’t have their Head Tax money and were sent home.

JewishWere allowed in

small amounts, but only as refugees

With the information given do you think that the immigration was fair?

Why do you think that Europeans were the only ones allowed in?

Should Canada be proud of this?

Thoughts…………Good or Bad?