Chapter 5Chapter 5Life in British North AmericaLife in British North America

Chapter 5: Outline Chapter 5: Outline “Life in British North America”“Life in British North America”

Facts and Figures (p.77-78)Facts and Figures (p.77-78)• • PoliticsPolitics• • PopulationPopulation• • EconomicsEconomics

The Peoples of British North AmericaThe Peoples of British North America• • British and Irish (p.82-83)British and Irish (p.82-83)• • French (p.84-85)French (p.84-85)• • Aboriginal Peoples (p.86-87)Aboriginal Peoples (p.86-87)• • Black Colonists (p.88-89)Black Colonists (p.88-89)

Daily Life in British North AmericaDaily Life in British North America• • Homes (p.90)Homes (p.90)• • Transportation (p.91)Transportation (p.91)• • Health Care (p.92)Health Care (p.92)• • Education (p.93)Education (p.93)• • Pastimes (p.96)Pastimes (p.96)

Case Study: The New Economy in BNA (p.79-81)Case Study: The New Economy in BNA (p.79-81)

Facts and Figures - PoliticsFacts and Figures - Politics Vancouver Island, Nova Scotia, P.E.I, the Province of Vancouver Island, Nova Scotia, P.E.I, the Province of

Canada, New Brunswick and NL. were all Canada, New Brunswick and NL. were all coloniescolonies of Great of Great Britain.Britain.

1763 1763 Royal ProclamationRoyal Proclamation stated that no First Nations land stated that no First Nations land could be taken without agreements.could be taken without agreements.

Rupert’s Land, North-Western Territory and New Caledonia Rupert’s Land, North-Western Territory and New Caledonia were controlled by Britain and involved in the fur trading were controlled by Britain and involved in the fur trading with the with the Hudson’s Bay CompanyHudson’s Bay Company. (HBC). (HBC)

NL. also included the ‘coast of Labrador.’NL. also included the ‘coast of Labrador.’

The The French ShoreFrench Shore along Newfoundland’s west coast along Newfoundland’s west coast

The The Province of CanadaProvince of Canada was made up of Canada East was made up of Canada East (French) and Canada West (British).(French) and Canada West (British).

Facts and Figures - PopulationFacts and Figures - Population Population of BNA in 1851 was about 2.5 million.Population of BNA in 1851 was about 2.5 million.

Most of these people settled in the eastern colonies, such Most of these people settled in the eastern colonies, such as: as:

Montreal 58,000 peopleMontreal 58,000 people St. John, N.B. 30,000 peopleSt. John, N.B. 30,000 people

The The majoritymajority of these people were Europeans while the of these people were Europeans while the minorityminority consisted of First Nations People. consisted of First Nations People.

The First Nations people mainly lived in the HBC’s lands and The First Nations people mainly lived in the HBC’s lands and on Vancouver Island.on Vancouver Island.

Mid-1800s the population was 85% Mid-1800s the population was 85% ruralrural

Facts and Figures - EconomicsFacts and Figures - Economics

During the mid-1800s the economy of BNA was During the mid-1800s the economy of BNA was mainly controlled by mainly controlled by EuropeansEuropeans..

The economy was pre-industrial and was based The economy was pre-industrial and was based

on on resourcesresources such as fish, fur and timber. such as fish, fur and timber.

First Nations peopleFirst Nations people struggled to survive the struggled to survive the effects of European settlement. They participated effects of European settlement. They participated in the HBC fur trade while also trying to maintain in the HBC fur trade while also trying to maintain their traditional lifestyles.their traditional lifestyles.

The New Economy in British The New Economy in British North American (p. 79-81)North American (p. 79-81)

1.1. Province of CanadaProvince of Canada

The economy of Canada was The economy of Canada was based on based on farming and lumberingfarming and lumbering.. There was also manufacturing of There was also manufacturing of furniture. Montreal was an furniture. Montreal was an important centre for business important centre for business owners.owners.

2. Newfoundland2. Newfoundland

The economy was based on fishingThe economy was based on fishing. . Most of the population lived in St. Most of the population lived in St. John’s, with some population along John’s, with some population along the coast.the coast.

Labrador: fur-trading.Labrador: fur-trading.

3.3. New BrunswickNew Brunswick

The primary industry in New The primary industry in New Brunswick was shipbuilding,Brunswick was shipbuilding, due to its due to its central location in the region.central location in the region.

Also, the Saint John River provided Also, the Saint John River provided access to the interior of the region.access to the interior of the region.

Lumber was also an important Lumber was also an important industry.industry.

4. Nova Scotia4. Nova Scotia

Sailors, fishers and shipbuilders were Sailors, fishers and shipbuilders were important in Nova Scotia.important in Nova Scotia.

Some farming took place in the Some farming took place in the Annapolis Valley.Annapolis Valley.

5. Prince Edward Island5. Prince Edward Island Shipbuilding was the strongest part of Shipbuilding was the strongest part of

PEI’s economy in the mid-1800’s, but PEI’s economy in the mid-1800’s, but farming was also very important.farming was also very important.

6. HBC Lands6. HBC Lands On Vancouver’s Island, Northwestern On Vancouver’s Island, Northwestern

Territory, Rupert’s Land, and New Territory, Rupert’s Land, and New Caledonia, Caledonia, the HBC had fur-trading the HBC had fur-trading posts, where the First Nations and posts, where the First Nations and Inuit exchanged fur pelts for trade Inuit exchanged fur pelts for trade goodsgoods (clothing, tools, pots/pants, (clothing, tools, pots/pants, etc.).etc.).

The Peoples of British North AmericaThe Peoples of British North AmericaBritish and IrishBritish and Irish

(p.82-83)(p.82-83)

During the early 1800s During the early 1800s immigrantsimmigrants from Great Britain and Ireland came from Great Britain and Ireland came to settle in BNA. to settle in BNA.

By the mid-1800s 2/3 of the European population of BNA was of British or By the mid-1800s 2/3 of the European population of BNA was of British or Irish heritage. Irish heritage.

Many people of British heritage (Scottish or English) were part of the Many people of British heritage (Scottish or English) were part of the elite classelite class. The elite had more political, economic and social power . The elite had more political, economic and social power than others.than others.

(Ex: the British merchants who controlled the fishing industry)(Ex: the British merchants who controlled the fishing industry)

Between 1815 and 1850 about 800,000 English, Scottish and Irish Between 1815 and 1850 about 800,000 English, Scottish and Irish immigrants came to BNA, these groups were better able to fit-in with immigrants came to BNA, these groups were better able to fit-in with life in the colonies.life in the colonies.

The The IrishIrish experienced experienced prejudiceprejudice due to problems between their home due to problems between their home country Ireland and Great Britaincountry Ireland and Great Britain and as a result were often and as a result were often discriminateddiscriminated against when searching for jobs. against when searching for jobs.

The Peoples of British North AmericaThe Peoples of British North AmericaPeople of French HeritagePeople of French Heritage

Two main groups of French settlers:Two main groups of French settlers:

1. French of Canada East1. French of Canada East

2. Acadians of P.E.I. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick2. Acadians of P.E.I. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

HabitantsHabitants are French farmers who lived in a are French farmers who lived in a ruralrural areas areas. . These farmers feared that the British and would become a These farmers feared that the British and would become a majority and they would lose their rights.majority and they would lose their rights.

AcadiaAcadia was the name given to the first French settlements was the name given to the first French settlements in North America.in North America. It included, P.E.I. Nova Scotia and New It included, P.E.I. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Brunswick. The Acadians Acadians were the descendents of this were the descendents of this areaarea. These people lived by fishing and farming.. These people lived by fishing and farming.

The Peoples of British North The Peoples of British North AmericaAmerica

People of French HeritagePeople of French Heritage

Because France and England were at warBecause France and England were at war, the British , the British eventually sought control of eventually sought control of AcadiaAcadia. . The British no longer The British no longer trusted the Acadians and forced them to leave the Acadia trusted the Acadians and forced them to leave the Acadia this was called the this was called the Grande Derangement of 1755Grande Derangement of 1755 (or (or ‘‘the Expulsionthe Expulsion’).’).

Between 8,000 to 10,000 Acadians were forced to leave Between 8,000 to 10,000 Acadians were forced to leave

their homes. Up to 50% were thought to have died as a their homes. Up to 50% were thought to have died as a result of the result of the ExpulsionExpulsion..

Many Acadians later returned, however they did face Many Acadians later returned, however they did face discrimination and had to start their lives over again.discrimination and had to start their lives over again.

The Peoples of British North The Peoples of British North AmericaAmerica

Aboriginal PeoplesAboriginal Peoples The British gained control of the Aboriginal peoples and as a The British gained control of the Aboriginal peoples and as a

result they were experiencing result they were experiencing racismracism. .

The British took control of their land, and they were left with The British took control of their land, and they were left with poor- quality land finding themselves facing poverty and poor- quality land finding themselves facing poverty and starvation.starvation.

Many First Nations populations also declined because Many First Nations populations also declined because they they had little had little resistanceresistance to European diseases. to European diseases.

The largest The largest MetisMetis community was the community was the Red River Red River SettlementSettlement, which was under the control of the HBC. , which was under the control of the HBC. (Red (Red River carts were used to transport goods)River carts were used to transport goods)

The Peoples of British North The Peoples of British North AmericaAmerica

Black ColonistsBlack Colonists Many Black Colonists came to BNA as slavery was less and Many Black Colonists came to BNA as slavery was less and

less common.less common.

During the time of the American Revolution many Black During the time of the American Revolution many Black Loyalists came to BNA.Loyalists came to BNA. These people had a hard time These people had a hard time getting getting titlestitles to their land. to their land.

About 30,000 Black Loyalists arrived from the U.S. after About 30,000 Black Loyalists arrived from the U.S. after slavery was outlawed in BNA. slavery was outlawed in BNA.

The Black colonists experienced The Black colonists experienced discriminationdiscrimination..

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNAHomesHomes

There were a wide variety of homes and furniture There were a wide variety of homes and furniture in BNA, for example:in BNA, for example:

1.1. Wealthy people in towns lived in large, elegant Wealthy people in towns lived in large, elegant homes homes

2.2. Farmers lived in one-room cabins Farmers lived in one-room cabins

3.3. First Nations peoples lived in traditional homes, First Nations peoples lived in traditional homes, such as the such as the wigwamswigwams..

Similarities in all homes included:Similarities in all homes included: Light from Light from candles and lamps, heat from a fireplace or candles and lamps, heat from a fireplace or woodstove, no indoor plumbing so houses had woodstove, no indoor plumbing so houses had outhouses and wells.outhouses and wells.

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNAHomesHomes

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNATransportationTransportation

Transportation was one of the biggest challenges.Transportation was one of the biggest challenges.

Most people traveled by river and decided to Most people traveled by river and decided to settle along the river’s coastline.settle along the river’s coastline.

Travel on land was by foot, horse or oxen on Travel on land was by foot, horse or oxen on rough roads.rough roads.

The first public railway opened in 1836 in Canada The first public railway opened in 1836 in Canada East.East.

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNAHealth CareHealth Care

Few families expected their children to grow to adults due Few families expected their children to grow to adults due to common life-threatening diseases.to common life-threatening diseases.

EpidemicsEpidemics were quite common. were quite common.

Health care for many was provided at home with traditional Health care for many was provided at home with traditional medicines.medicines. (ex. Flagroot used for colds) (ex. Flagroot used for colds)

Minor injuries were often deadly, doctors did not get the Minor injuries were often deadly, doctors did not get the chance to treat most illness and accidents.chance to treat most illness and accidents.

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNAEducationEducation

School was not always considered the most important in a School was not always considered the most important in a child’s life.child’s life.

Learning a trade or working on the family farm was often Learning a trade or working on the family farm was often seem as the best way to get ahead.seem as the best way to get ahead.

In the early years schools were run by religious In the early years schools were run by religious organizationsorganizations

As time passed, publicly funded schools were established. As time passed, publicly funded schools were established. These schools were open for all children.These schools were open for all children.

Main goal of school was to teach children about European Main goal of school was to teach children about European culture and religion.culture and religion.

Daily Life in BNADaily Life in BNA Pastimes Pastimes

Pastimes were similar in both Pastimes were similar in both urbanurban and and rural rural areas.areas. Examples of pastimes included:Examples of pastimes included:

- playing/watching outdoor sports (hockey)- playing/watching outdoor sports (hockey)

- doing crafts (needlework/carvings)- doing crafts (needlework/carvings)

- reading/storytelling or listening to music- reading/storytelling or listening to music

- playing games (- playing games (snowsnakesnowsnake))

People in cities could attend special events such as People in cities could attend special events such as musical performances, sports clubs or plays.musical performances, sports clubs or plays.