Epidemics and Colonization-page 70-

74 Blue Textbook

1885-1940
Final decade of the 19
th
century disease
spread rapidly among the working class
1885-Small pox killed 3000
People living in close proximity in horrible
living conditions

Vaccination became mandatory
Some of the vaccinations were contaminated
Many people refused it, which made things
worse
1886-The disease subsided

The government of Quebec created the
conseil dhygiene de la province de Quebec
Proper hygiene information was given to the
population.
Between 1900 and 1939 the death rate was
cut in half
Epidemics shows the living disparity between
Francophone and Anglophone
90 % of death were Francophone

Spanish Flu
1918-Spanish flu- returning soldiers from
Europe brought it to Canada
It killed between 20 and 40 million people
worldwide between 1918-19
Government closed schools, cinemas, and
theatres
It is estimated that 50 000 Canadians died

Emigration to USA
1840-1940
1867-1929- Canada had a high natural birth
rate
Population however did not increase much
The major reason: migration to the USA which
started in 1840 continued till the early 20
th

century

People migrate because a shortage of
farmland
Railway to the North East USA
Closeness of US border
Wages in US Factories were better

Less need for farm labour due to machinery
1840-1940- Roughly 1 million
Francophonesmigrated
Some did return to Canada after earning
enough money
But most settled for good

Colonization of the Regions
1870s-1950s
The Catholic Church and the Govt feared the
marginalization of Francophone by English in
Quebec
The promoted a push back to the land
(regions) as a means of protecting the French
Identity
Plus it would stem the tide of Francophone
leaving for the US for jobs

The move back to the land wasnt successful
as it was difficult to clear and work the land
Program continued till the 1950s

Francophone Migration West
Francophone were the majority in Manitoba
in the 1870
1891 they were 7 %
The hanging of Louis Riel (Metis leader) made
many Francophones weary of West

Journey west was long compared to journey
to USA
Today 1 million Francophone live outside of
Quebec
Ontario, and other western provinces have
Francophone minority with their schools and
culture