SETTING THE SCENE

he Koad to the iwentieth Lenturv

Confederation Das
On July 1, 1867 fireworks Today, it is hard to
lit up the skies and guns imagine Canada asa
roared a salute from Sar country with only. four
nia in the west to Halifax provinces and a popula-
in the east. It was the day tion of just 3 million.
that Canada became a
Canada in 1867 was cer-
nation. Four. British tainly much sinaller than
colonies-Ontario, Que itis today In just 33 years
bec, Nova Scotia, and from 1867 to the turn of
New Brunswick-joined the twentieth century
to form the new Domin- however, the country
10n of Canada. On the grew at an astonishing
crowded streets of Ot pace. New provinces and
tawa, people cheered as territories were added,
John A. Macdonald was and the population in
sworn in as Canada's creased to 5.3 million.
first prime minister. In those years be-
George Brown, another tween 1867 and 1900,
prominent politician, announced: Canada was taking the first steps toward for
"With the first dawn of this summer morning, ing its own identity.The characteristics that
we hail the birthday of a new nation. A united began to define Canada by 1900 were ones
British America [Canada] takes its place that would continue to shape the country's
among the nations of the world identity throughout the twentieth century

1. Brainstorm characteristics that you think might define a country's

identity
2. What characteristis do you think defined Canada in 1867?
 Settiag the Scene

First Peoples, Early ham and established the colonies and ter
ritories of British North America.
Settlements What contacts did the North Ameri-
Aboriginal peoples were the first inhabi- can colonies have with one another in the
tants of what we call Canada today In the 18605? They had stronger ties to Britain
1860s, the population was estimated at and even the United States than they did
about 100 000 spread across the continent to each other. Transportation was mainly
They lived as independent nations with by water over seas, rivers, and canals. Rail-
their owm governments, laws, traditions, ways werebeginning to be built, but trav
and distinct cultures. The French arived el over land was mainly by horse and cart
on the shores of the East Coast in the early over dirt roads. Over 82 per cent of the
1600s and
establishied the first French set people in the colonies lived on farms or
tlements. In 1759, the British defeated the in small villáges. Most people did not ven-
French at the Battle of the Plains of Abra. ture very far from their hormes.

Arctic Ocean

Greenland
Russian Beaufort
Sea
Territory Baffin
Greenland
Bay
Sea

North-Western Territory Labrador

Sea

British
Eolumbia.
Hudson
Bay

Canada
East
Newfoundland
Rupert'sand
(Hudson's Bay Company)
.
Red River
Vanouver sland
Settierneit Brunswicd-
(Hudson's Bay Company Colony) Nova
Canada Meitreal Scotia
United States West Oaw
British Crown colonies of America Kingston
Tor
Atlantic
Oranto
Ocean
Other British territories

km500
British North America, 1858 NORtH

The Push to
Nationhood
What brought the colonies together? In the
1860s, a number of issues were brewing
that eventually led to the birth of Canada.
1. The Threat of American Takeover
The threat of an American takeover was
veiy real. During the American Civil
War between the Northern and South-
ern states, Britain appeared to support
the Southern states by supplying them
with warships. When the North won the
war in 1865, the British North American
colonies woried that the Northern
armies might take revenge on Britain by
attacking them. American politicians
and newspapers were als talking
about Manifest Destiny- the idea that
it was natural the United States would
one day control all of North America.
In 1867, the United States bought Alas-
ka fYom Russia. British Columbia was
hemmed in to the north and south by.
the United States. Would the.United
States take over the vast open plains
east of British Columbia next?
The Road to the Iwentieth Century 3
2. Changing British Attitudes
The colonies had been seen as a
source of wealth and power for Britain,
but by the 1860s some people in Britain
felt the colonies were too big a drain
on the home country's finances. Sud-
denly,the colonies could no longer be
sure that Britain would defend them in
case of attack from the United States.
The colonies were vulnerable. f they .
united, they could pool their resources
and better defend themselves.
3. The Need for New Trade Links
Britain was also less willing to provide
the colonies with special trading privi-
leges. Before 1846, the colonies could
ship wheat and flour to Britain at a very
low tax. In 1846, that trade preference
ended when Britain announced free
trade. The British North American
colonies then worked out a reciprocity
free trade) agreement with the United
States in 1854. Certain goods could pass
over their borders tax-free, but the US
ended the agreem nt in 1865. The
colonies began to realize that they had
to develop better trade links among
themselves.
Aboriginal peoples,
like these
Kwakvaka'waku on
the West Coast were
the first inhabitants
of what we call
Canada today.
 Setting the Scene

4. The Need for Railways keep sending finance[ for the railways.
individual colonies did not have
If there was going to be trade among The
the resources to build the lines of steel
the colonies, there had to be rail links.
between the At-
themselves. If the colonies united, ex-
A railway connection
penses could be shared.
lantic colonies and Canada was also
essential for defence. If the colonies
were attacked by the United States, Confederation 1867
British troops could be nushed from
Canada became a nation in 1867 when
Halifax. But in winter, the St. awrence
Britain passed the British North Armerica
River was frozen solid and the only
the Constitution
would Act, today known as
way troops could reach Canada characteristics defined
be by rail. A railway building boom Act 1867. What
Canadain 1867?,
began, but Britain was reluctant to

Arctic Ocean

Greenland
)r
Beaufort
Alaska Sea
purchased by Baffin
USA, 1857) Greenland
. Bay
Sea

Labrador
North-West Territories.
.
sea

Hudson
Bay
Newfoundland
Rupert'Land
Victoria
Hudso3 Bay.Cóm pàny):" PEL
Red River.
Vancouver lsland Settiemeit
(United with British Columbia in 1866)
onueal
Nova
Scotia
British Crown colonies United States
of America úngston Atlantic
Other British territories Toronto Ocean

Dominion of Canada
(Established by British North America Act, 1867)
km S00
Canada, 1867 NORIG
 The Road to the Fwentieth Century

Canada's first census

Canada's Population, 1871
The Land and Economy population coun))
provinces: was taken in 1871.
included four
Canada in 1867 Ninetytwo per cenE
Nova Scotia, New Bnunswick,
Ontario, and
much British of the population
Quebec. Ontario and Quebecwere of either British
today The Fathers of
was
smaller than they are OFrench or French origin.
Confederation hoped to have other 60.6%

the dream other The c e n s u s did not

colonies join the country to fulfill inclnde Aboriginal
sea to sea
of a nation stretching'from peoples lioing in
the

The majority of people in the country country. Why?

were farnmers, fishers, or merchants. Ec0
still part
ties to Britain. United States. Since Canada was

nomically there were strong Canadians were sub

wealth and of the British Empire,
Canada was seen as a source of Crown and alle-
British swore
economic power for the home country
Vast jects of the
flew the
of grain, and
furs, fish, timber, giance to Queen Victoria. They
quantities "God Save the
flour made theirway on ships the At
across British ílag and sang.
Britain. While some in- Queen'at ceremonies and special events.
lantic to the tables of
It was not unusual to see British soldiers
dustries were developing in Canada, most throughout
on the streets and in garisons
manufactured goods from clothing to dish-
from Britain or the United States. the colonies.
es came
French Canadians had been in Que-
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, however the 1600s. In
had a lively trade with the east coast of the bec and the Maritimes since
1867, they were also British subjects.
They
United States and the West Indies.
had kept their language, religion, system
that they
of laws, and culture, but the fact
The People in
of had been "conquered" by the British
majority of people in Canada
were
The to swal-
or Welsh) 1759 was still a bitter pill for many
British (English, Scottish, Irish,
felt the constant pressure of the.
heritage and had come from Britain or
the low They
Montreal in ihe 1860s
was the largest city in
Canada and was
busting with life.

- .
 Setting tke Scene

British majority around them threatening The Government

their identity
Canada's government was based on fea
Aboriginal peoples were also consid- tures from both the British and American
ered by the
government to be British sub- systetns. Following the American model,
jects, though they saw themselves as Canada had a federal
system. Provincial
independent, _elfgovening nations. They govermments looked after local affairs and
were placed under the
authority of the fed- a central government looked after affairs
eral government at Confederation. A de-
affecting the whole country. But in Cana
partment of Indian Affairs was created to da, the federal government was meant to
manage the way they would live. The poli- be more
powerful than the provincial gov-
cy of the govermment was for assimilation. ernments. In the American
That is, the government wanted to government,
gradu- the states had wider powers than the cen-
ally absorb Aboriginal peoples into Cana- tral
dian (mainly British) culture.
government
The
Following the British model, Canada
government made treaties to gain Aborig had a
parliamentary system with a House
inal lands and moved many Aboriginal of Commons made up'of representatives
peoples onto reserves. Children were sent elected by the people. The Queen of Eng
to special residential schools
where they land was still the head of govemment and
were not allowed to
speak their languages she appointed a Governor General to rep-
or followtheir cultural traditions. resent her in Canada, but both had to fol-
Other ethnic groups made up 9.3 per low the wishes of the majority in the
cent of the population in 1871. They in- House of Commons. Like Britain, Canada's
cluded Blacks (primarily in Nova Scotia
government also had an "upper house
and Ontario), Germans, Ukrainians, Scan- called the Senate. The name was taken
dinavians, Chinese, Italians, and others. from the American system. Its main
There number of different
func
were already a tion was to double check all laws passed
ethnocultural and racial groups in Cana- by the House of Commons.
da, though their numbers were smal. The new nation of Canada in 1867
was not declaring independence from
Federal Government at Confederation Britain. Government in Britain still had the
British Government final say on any changes to Canada's con
stitution (the rnles, practices, and laws for
how a country should be govenned) and
its foreign relations. Canada's constitution,
Governor
Geñeral however gave Canadians more direct con-
trol over their own affairs. Canada was
Senate also beginning to define itself as different
At Confederation, from both Britain and the United States.
the real power for
governing the country Prim
and making laws The Roots of Regionalism
went to the prime On Confederation Day people celebrated,
minister and cábinet, CabinE but not everyone was rejoicing. In Nova
who represented the
party wth the
Hous Scotia, anti-Confederationists burned a
likeness oi Premier Charles Tupper side-
majority in the elected People by-side with a rat. In New Brunswick, a
House of Commons. newspaper headline read:"Died - at her
 1
TheRoad to the Twentieth Century

residence in the city of Fredericton, The Towards the

83rd
Province of New Brunswick, in the Twentieth Century
In Quebec, French Cana-
year of her age"
dians wondered if they would have an So as Canada approached the twentieth
and could main- century the country's land area, popula-
equal say in government
tain their distinct identity in a country consider
tion, and economy had grown
dominated by English-speaking people. ably. The world was beginning to take
Aboriginal peoples were not consulted notice of this new country called Canada.
about their role in the new country. By 1900, Canada also beginning to
was

Some colonies rejected Confederation look outward to its place in the world.
outright. Newfoundland and Prince Ed- As you' follow the story of Canada
ward Island believed they would have.lit through the twentieth century in this book,
tle real repreaentation in the federal1 you will see the following key topics high-
minute to think
government. The government in the lighted throughout. Take a
new

capital of Ottawa was too far removed

to about how each of these topics is reflect-
understand their concerns. The colonies ed in what you have read about Canadas
had developed their own strong identities. development from 1867 to 1900. What
as

Even in 1867, the roots of strong provincial or remain

pects do you think will change,
and regional differences were well estab the same in the early twentieth century
lished in Canada. Canada has always Then read on and find out.
faced the challengeof uniting regions that
have very different needs, geographies,
peoples, and economies. ACanadian identity :

External Forces Shaping Canada's Policies

Emerging ldentity
1867 1900 Frencih-English Relations
In 1867, Canada was a nation of four War, Peace, and Security
the
provinces in the East. By.1900, coun-

try stretched across the continent from Population Pattems

Nova Scotia in the east to British Colum-
bia in the west and horth to the Arctic Impact of Scieice and Technology
Ocean. The country was also establishing
Policy
closer transportation and communication
ACanada's international Status and Foreign
ties. The transcontinental Canadian Pacif-
was completed' in 1885 and the
ic Railway Social and Political Movements
invented in 1876. Social
telephone was

and economic developments were occur-

Contributions of Individuals.
ring,and Canada saw the first stirings of
a cultural identity. The National Gallery for
example, was founded in 1880. The time-
The Economy
line on the following pages (pp. 8-9) high- The Changing RoBe of Government
lights some of these major developments .:

in Canada's growth to 1900.

A GROWING NATION 1867-1900
1867 1879
L869-1870 Red River Resistance; Louis Riel and the Métis fight
Political for land and political rights, and the right to enter

Changes Confederation as a province

1870 As a result of the Red River Resistance,

Manitoba
becomes a province of Canada

1871 British Columbia joins Canada and is promiseda

raiway link with the East
1873 Prince Edward Island joins Canada

North-West Mounted Police are created to police

the West

see9 First Eaton's department store opens in Toronto

Economic and
Technological 1S72 Elijah McCoy invents the lubricating cup used

Changes on trains and in factories

1S76 Alexander Graham Bell.completes first

telephone call from Brantford to
long-distance
Paris, Ontario

1876 First new, hardy Red Fife wheat is exported from

Manitoba

1878 John A. Macdonald introduces his National Policy

to promote economic growth in Canada

1871-1921 Canada signs treaties with Aboriginal nations

Social and in the West; many are moved onto reserves
CulturalI
Changes 1372 Trade Union Bill makes labour unions legal

S875 Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is

to
founded to lobby against alcohol abuse and
push for women's rights, including the right to vote8

1875 First organized hockey league game is played

in Victoria Rink, Montreal

1876. Canadian government passes the Indian Act

that makes Aboriginal peoples "wards of the
state and sets out rules by which they
should live
1880 1889
1880 Britain grants Arctic Islands to Canada
1585 North-West Rebellion led by Louis Riel
is crushed; Riel is hanged
1882 Horse-drawn streetcar debuts in
Winnipeg
1885 Canadian Pacifc Railroad
across Canada is completed
largely through the work of
immigrant labourers including
thousands of Chinese; postal services
expand westward with railway
1388 Liberals first propose unrestricted free
trade with United States
1s89 Buffalo on the western plains are
basically extinct
1880 National Gallery is established
1882 Royal Society of Canada is founded to
promote research and learning in Canada
1884 First women students are
admitted to University of
Toronto CANADAR
1885 Sun Dance of Aboriginal peoples is banned
by the federal government as part of its
policy to assimilate Aboriginal nations
1889 Report of Royal Commission on
Relations of Labour and Capital points
out problems of unsafe working condi
tions, low wages, child labour, etc.
1890 1900
1.890 Manitoba Schools Act ends tax support
for French-Catholic school system
1898 Yukon becomes territory of Canada
1890 Massey Manufacturing Company
wins world recognition for
efficiency ofits farm machinery
ise Toronto's street railway
converts to electric power
1996 Niagara Falls hydroelectric plant opens
1897 Dr. Henri Casgrain becomes first known
Canadian to drive a motorcar-top
speed 29 km/h
1898 Gold rush attracts thousands to the
Klondike region of the Yukon
s892 James Naismith of Edmonton
develops game of basketball
1892 Mohawk poet Pauline Johnson
begins public readings of her poetry
1894 Labour Day is ceiebrated as a holiday
1896 Canada introduces an "open door"
policy to immigrants
1897 First Women's Institute is founded by
Adelaide Hoodless to teach women abou
nutrition, child care, and domestic science
1900 Canada has grown to a nation of
5.3 million people
 Canada: The Road to the Twentieth Century

Page 1.
1.When does Canada officially celebrate Confederation?

2. What were the 4 original provinces of Canada?

3. What was the population of Canada

in 1867?

Canada in the 1860 s?

4. How many Aboriginal Peoples lived in

Page 2.
settlements here in the 1600 s?
5. Which foreign country first established

control of Canada in 1759?

6. Which NEW foreign country took

Page3
Canada towards "Nationhood".
7. List and explain the 4 Factors that pushed

A.
Page5
8. What products did Canada ship to Britain for trade?

9. What nationality or background were the majority of Canadians in the 1870's?

10. How were French Canadian and Aboriginal Canadians treated in the 1800's?

11. What was the largest city in Canada in the 1860s?

Page 6
12. Briefly explain how Canada's Provincial and Federal Governments are organized:

Provincial:

Federal:

13. Why were some people scared of Confederation?

14. As the country grew from Eastto West between 1867- 1900, what 2 new "inventions" in
1876 and 1885 made Canadians fel "closer" to one another?

15. READ OVER THE"TIMELINE 1867-1900"