Unit 4:

Many Voices

Cultural Empowerment

Ch. 8: A Growing Nation

How did the growth of Canada during the 1870’s and 1880’s

affect the people in the various region?

Political ExpansionExpansion across

the continent included land purchases, treaties and negotiating.

North-West Territories– In 1869, the

government bought Rupert’s land and the North-west Territories.–This included the future

provinces like Manitoba–They were both

governed by Ottawa

British Columbia–By 1868 the gold rush was over,

but the colony needed to provide expensive services like roads–They chose to join Canada over

the United States because of the future railroad

P.E.I.–This colony was also indebt

because they were building their own railway.–Canada paid their debts and

offered a steamship service to the mainland.

Treaties with First Nations–In order to settle the west and begin

a transcontinental railway, MacDonald had to make deals with the Native peoples living there

–This became known as the Numbered Treaties–There were 11

in total. The main terms included the following:

Lands would be kept for ReservesAll Native groups would receive

money each as supportSettlers would be allowed to live

peacefully on the traditional lands

Red River SettlementThis is the creation of what is now

Manitoba. It includes the Metis and a

Rebellion.

–It started along the banks of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers in the late 1700’s.–By 1869 the population was

approximately 12 000 and the majority was Metis.

Metis (see pp. 148/9)–they were a mixed

people descended from French, British and First Nations.–They belong in

neither group, so they slowly created their own identity.

–Most spoke at least three languages (French, English and Michif).–Michif was a

combination of French and Nehinawe (Cree).–Most Metis were of

Christian Faith

–There main source of food was the Buffalo–The hunt include 100 000 men and

followed strict rules.–Farming was another source of food

and income

Events at Red River *–The Metis worried over what would

happen to them because of the purchase of the North-west Territories.–They feared for their lands.

Red River SettlementSurveyors Arrive–In the summer of 1869 the

surveyors arrived and started marking off land which included Metis farms.–This upset the Metis and Louis Riel

confronted them

Red River SettlementNational committee of the Metis–After the surveyors left, they

united to decide how to protect their lands.–The Montreal educated Riel was

an important figure

Red River SettlementForming a Provisional Government–After driving back the Lt.-Governor of

NWT, the Metis took control of Fort Garry–They believed they owned the land

and should be negotiated with like other colonies joining Canada

Red River SettlementNegotiating–A Bill of Rights was drafted and

sent to Ottawa,–This included issues on education

and rights to land.

Red River SettlementTrouble at Fort Garry–Some non-Metis settlers disagreed

with the Metis and were jailed.–After planned escapes and threats

Thomas Scott was executed.

Red River SettlementTrouble in Ottawa–This led to disagreements in

Ottawa–French-speaking Canadians saw

him as a hero, while the English thought he was a murderer.–MacDonald avoided the issue.

Red River SettlementThe Province of Manitoba–MacDonald finally worked out an

agreement with the Metis. –This became the Manitoba Act

and the creation of a new province of Canada.

Red River SettlementRiel Leaves–Over the next five years Riel is

threatened, elected to Parliament and exiled for 5 years. (see p. 153)–After his term of 5 years was over

he would be given amnesty.

A Plan for the CountryIn late 1873 MacDonald resigns

because of a conflict of interest accusation.

Alexander Mackenzie leads the government for 5 years.

MacDonald is re-elected based on his Plan for the Country.

A Plan for the CountryNational Policy–This is a set of main ideas a

government uses when it makes decisions or makes policy and law.–MacDonald believed the National

Policy should be focused on the Economy

A Plan for the CountryNational Policy (cont.)–This included manufacturing its own

products from its own resources–The second point was encouraging

immigration – The third point was building a

national railway to move both product and people across Canada.

A Plan for the CountryEncouraging Immigration–This was inspired through

homesteading–Homesteading allowed new

immigrants move to areas never farmed before.–They were sold 64.7 hectares for

$10

A Plan for the CountryCanadian Pacific Railway–It began in 1880, eight years after

it was promised to British Columbia and the rest of the colonies who joined Confederation.

A Plan for the CountryA Difficult Job–Building the railway across the

prairies was the easiest part because it was flat–Greater challenges were faced

along the north shores of the Great Lakes

A Plan for the Country–The greatest challenge was the

steep Rocky Mountains.–Upon its completion in 1885 it was

the longest railway in the world–But, this came a great cost in

money and lives.

A Plan for the CountryChinese Railway Workers–The contractors had trouble find

people willing to do the very dangerous jobs.–Plus the cost of labour was

increasing–Both of these problems were

solved with Chinese Immigrants

A Plan for the Country–Between 1881 and 1884 approx.

17 000 Chinese men immigrated to Canada–Conditions were horrible• Little food, shelter and wages added

with the dangerous jobs dealing with explosives

Effects of the National PolicyThis policy worked well for Central

Canada.But, East and West were

disappointed with the results

Effects of the National PolicyProblems in the West–Cost of shipping raw materials were

very high making it hard to make a profit–With no manufacturing industry they

depended on Central industries.–This lead to high prices for

manufactured goods

Effects of the National PolicyProblems and the East–High import taxes slowed down

International trade–High prices for manufactured

goods did not match the return on raw materials shipped to Central Canada

Effects of the National PolicyThe Government’s Response–Nothing was done satisfy the

complaints of West and East–This would become a wedge

within Canadian Politics for the next 130 years