History of From European Contact to Canadian Independence Standards

SS6H4 The student will describe the impact of European contact on Canada. a. Describe the influence of the French and the English on the language and religion of Canada. b. Explain how Canada became an independent nation.

First Nations • The are the native peoples of Canada.

• They came from Asia over 12,000 years ago. • They crossed the Bering Land Bridge that joined Russia to Alaska.

• There were 12 tribes that made up the First Nations.

Inuit • The are one of the First Nation tribes.

• They still live in Canada today.

• In 1999, Canada’s government gave the Inuit Nunavut Territory in northeast Canada.

Early Europeans • The first explorers to settle Canada were Norse invaders from the Scandinavian Peninsula.

• In 1000 CE, they built a town on the northeast coast of Canada and established a trading relationship with the Inuit. • The Norse deserted the settlement for unknown reasons.

• Europeans did not return to Canada until almost 500 years later…

Newfoundland • The Italian explorer, , sailed to Canada’s east coast in 1497.

• Cabot claimed an area of land for England (his sponsor) and named it “”.

New • sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1534.

•He claimed the land for France. •French colonists named the area “”.

New France () • In 1608, built the first permanent French settlement in New France —called Quebec. • The population grew slowly.

• Many people moved inland to trap animals. • Hats made of beaver fur were in high demand in Europe.

New France (Quebec) • European fur traders were joined by French farmers, merchants, and missionaries from the .

• They brought with them French laws, traditions, & religion. • France wouldn’t let anyone move to New France who was not Catholic.

The British in Canada • The British colonized the region south of New France. • They saw New France’s success in fur trapping and wanted to take control of the fur trade.

• This led to the in 1754. French & Indian War • Great Britain fought for control of Canadian territory and the fur trade. • It was Great Britain and the Indians versus France and the Huron Indians.

• Great Britain conquered Quebec in 1754 and forced France to sign the in 1763. Treaty of Paris • This gave Britain control of all lands east of the River, except for 2 islands off the coast of Newfoundland.

• The British forced ’s French- speaking people to leave. • Nova Scotia’s French went to another French colony – . • Descendants of these people are the .

American Revolution • In 1776, Americans gained independence from Great Britain. • This initiated a huge cultural change in Canada.

• Americans who did not believe in independence left America and moved to Quebec. • These people were called “Loyalists” because they were loyal to Great Britain. • As a result, Quebec began to have people who spoke English as well as French. • Many Loyalists did not want to live among French-speaking . • Cultural difference between the English speakers & French speakers sparked many conflicts.

• In 1774, British government passed the Quebec Act. Quebec Act • The British allowed the French to stay in Quebec, but continued to control the region.

• The Quebec Act guaranteed the French the right to maintain their culture (language, religion, traditions). Results • It gave in Quebec the right to continue practicing the Catholic religion and allowed French civil law.

• Loyalists were irritated with the new political & cultural power of the French. • They could not own land or have representation in Quebec’s government.

• The differences among the two groups eventually led to a re-division of the country. Division of Canada • Most English speaking citizens lived in ().

• Most French speaking citizens lived in (Quebec).

War of 1812 • During this war, the French and British worked together against the , who tried to invade Canada.

• War resulted in a draw, but it defined the US- Canadian border & increased a sense of . • Both French Canadians & joined to protect their land—they were more united than ever before.

War of 1812 - After • French Canadians and British Canadians realized that they hated being under British rule.

• They thought that Great Britain was too far away to understand their economic & political needs. of Canada • In 1837, Canadians began to rebel against British control. • Britain sent a government reformer to examine the Canadian problem.

• As a result of the inquiry, Britain discovered an economic need to unify the 2 Canadian .

• In 1841, Upper & Lower Canada were united, establishing the “”. British Act

• During the 1860s, Canadian leaders discussed the confederation of all British North American Colonies.

• In 1867, the Act created a federation union of Canada. • It joined four colonies (Quebec, Ontario, , & Nova Scotia). • The four colonies became provinces joined by a unifying constitution.

• Britain accepted the agreement because they were glad to be rid of the responsibility of protecting the colonies (too expensive).

Transcontinental Railroad • The British North America Act allowed each region to sell goods more easily to one another. • This improved trade helped the economy.

• Soon there was enough money to build a railroad across the country.

• The Transcontinental Railroad was built in 1886. • People could now easily travel from the to Pacific Ocean.

Expanding Canada • When Canada became a confederation in 1867, there were only 4 provinces.

• Leaders desired to expand the new country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. • They bought land from the Hudson’s Bay Company.

• They thought the purchase would be a simple process, but problems occurred with the native peoples. Expanding Canada • Eventually the First Nations (Inuit) agreed to relocate to reservations (now Nunavut). • Transcontinental Railroad was built on this land.

• Soon, 3 new provinces and 1 territory were created: , , , and the .

Railroad’s Results • The railroad increased the shipment of goods across Canada. • It increased travel from coast to coast. • It caused the creation of new provinces and territories. • The railroad was also the birth of Canadian nationalism. • Before the railroad, most people only thought of themselves as belonging to their province; after, they felt as if they were part of one country.

Yukon Gold • Gold was discovered along the western coast of Canada in 1896.

• Canada’s government created territory in 1898 to meet the needs of the area’s growing population.

Saskatchewan & 1905

• This land was originally part of Northwest Territories, but by early 1900s, many people wanted this to change.

• Reason 1: The economy had shifted from fur trade to farming, mining, logging & railway. • Reason 2: The population grew quickly because of the new industries. • Reason 3: The area could not afford everything people needed (like schools). • By forming new provinces, they could collect taxes to pay for these things.

Canada in WWI • Canada still had close ties with Britain and felt they should contribute in the fight against Germany. • They sent military forces, raw materials, & food to Europe.

• Canada’s contribution changed the way the world viewed the country. • Canada was now a union that was able to compete with world powers. • WWI also increased Canadian nationalism. Newfoundland - 1949 • Newfoundland joined the country of Canada because: • Canada promised to help them by building many things such as railroads and roads. • Britain didn’t want the cost of supporting Newfoundland anymore. Nunavut - 1999 • In the 1970s, the Inuit wanted to create a territory called Nunavut.

• They wanted their own territory so that they could start making decisions for themselves. • They needed their own government. • They wanted control of their land. • For many years Canada had used the resources of the Arctic without asking the Inuit.

• Inuit still live the same way that their ancestors did—they use traditional methods for survival.

Standards

SS6H5 The student will analyze important contemporary issues in Canada. a. Describe Quebec’s independence movement. Quebec’s Independence Movement

Province of Quebec • Quebec is located in . • A large part of Canadian industry is centered in Quebec. • Many electronics and computer factories are based here.

• French is the official language of business and government in Quebec. • 81% of the people speak French as their 1st language.

History Review • Canada was originally colonized by the French (fur trade).

• Great Britain wanted part of the fur trade, so they fought & won the French and Indian War. • They divided Canada into Upper Canada (British) and Lower Canada (French). • “Lower Canada” is now called Quebec.

• Canada was united in 1867 with the British North America Act. • Quebec is still predominately French.

Early 1900s • Most French Canadian families had been living in Quebec for hundreds of years. • They spoke French & had a different culture than English-speaking Canadians. • The majority lived on farms and rarely left their villages. • Most French Canadians were Catholic, while the majority of British Canadians were Protestant.

A Separate Quebec • The idea of a separate French Canada spread slowly.

• At first, most French Canadians did not think that Quebec needed independence just to be French. • By the 1960s, however, thinking had changed… • Many French Canadians had become Quebec nationalists & thought of themselves as Quebecois, not Canadians.

A Separate Quebec • By this time, Quebec had changed in many ways… • Growing populations pushed into farmlands and rural people grew poor. • Many chose to leave farms and move to cities. • Their lives were very different now. • They stopped going to Catholic churches. • They no longer led a traditional lifestyle. • English was spoken in most cities, while French was not.

Independence • Many French Canadians felt that their language and culture might disappear. • French culture was overwhelmed by English. • They were tired of feeling like second-class citizens in their own country.

• Most started to think that Quebec should secede from Canada (be independent). • Separatists--want Quebec to “separate” from Canada.

Separating - Pros • Those who support Quebec separatism want:

• to protect and culture • to be treated as equals with English-speaking Canadians • other Canadians to respect French language and culture • to preserve French Canadian culture for future generations

Separating - Cons • Those who oppose Quebec separatism argue that separatism would: • result in economic disaster for Quebec, • Ruin national unity and pride, & • Make the rest of Canada lose all of Quebec’s natural resources. Let the People Vote • In 1980 & 1995, the people of Quebec voted whether or not to secede. • Both votes were in favor of staying Canadian. • Last vote--49.4% voted to secede and 50.6% voted to stay Canadian…wow!

• Close results showed that the relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada will continue to be a controversial issue.

What Now? • Canada’s government does not want to allow Quebec to separate from Canada because Quebec: • Is a huge economic help to country, • Is rich in natural resources, & • Has access to many waterways (shipping & trade). • The government has made several reforms in an attempt to keep separatists happy.

Reforms • Canada’s government has passed several laws to help Quebec’s citizens preserve their language and culture. • In 1982, the Constitution Act made Canada bilingual. • 1. Two official languages (English & French) • 2. All government documents must be written in French & English

In Quebec Today… • French is the only official language. • English may be used in advertising, but it must be placed after the French words, and it must be smaller font.

• Some people are happy with these changes, but other people still believe that Quebec should be independent from the rest of Canada.

Standards

SS6H8 The student will describe the culture and development of Australia prior to contact with Europeans. a. Describe the origins and culture of the Aborigines.

SS6H9 The student will explain the impact European exploration and colonization had on Australia. b. Explain the impact of European colonization of Australia in terms of diseases and weapons on the indigenous peoples of Australia. Australia’s Aborigines

Origins & Culture Aborigines • Aborigines are the indigenous people of Australia. • They have occupied Australia for at least 40,000 years!

• They arrived from Southeast Asia.

• The word aborigines means “people who were here from the beginning”.

Early Life • They developed efficient ways to adapt to the harsh Australian climate and environment. • They built containers for storing water and built wells to collect water underground. • They were hunters and gatherers: ate animals, wild nuts, fruits, and berries. • They were nomadic--moved from place to place in search of food.

Early Life • Archaeologists have found several early Aboriginal inventions: • Rock art, boomerangs, ground axes, and grindstones

• There is no written record of prehistoric Aborigines. • They kept their history by telling stories that were passed down from generation to generation.

Social Structure • The Aboriginal social structure consisted of a tribe or “language group” of as many as 500 people. • A tribe included bands called “hordes” of 10 to 20 people. • Hordes joined for daily food gathering and hunting.

Where? • Aborigines originally settled in the same places as present-day Australians. • The climate was mild and water was available. • Before Europeans arrived in 1788, around 500,000 Aborigines lived in Australia. Religion • Aboriginal religion is called “Dreamtime”. • • “The Dreaming” is what Aborigines call the beginning of life on Earth. • During the Dreaming, spirits created the land, people, and animals. • Most of the spirits disappeared, but some live on in objects.

Dreamtime • Aborigines believe the earth is a link to the spiritual world.

• The land itself is sacred to Aborigines • For example, Ayers Rock, known as Uluru to the Aborigines, is a very sacred part of their religion.

• Aborigines have many Dreamtime legends that describe how the earth was created.

Aboriginal Art • Aboriginal art is a tradition thousands of years old! • The artwork most often depicts Dreamtime stories.

• The best known forms of Aboriginal art are rock and bark paintings.

• A more modern tradition is called, Papunya Tula, the “Dot Art” movement.

Music • The didgeridoo is the most famous Aboriginal musical instrument. • It is also know as a yirdaki.

• Clapsticks, accompanying the didgeridoo, are used to keep a song’s rhythm. • Men played the didgeridoo, while women played the clapsticks.

Arrival of Europeans

• Aborigines lived on Australia’s coast, which is where the Europeans wanted to settle.

• Europeans waged war against the Aborigines in order to take their land. European Advantage

• The Europeans had guns and soldiers.

• They also spread diseases… • More than half of the Aborigines in Australia died. • The entire Aboriginal population died in Tasmania. What Happened Next?

• The Aborigines were forced to live on reservations in the Outback. • They were forced to work for Europeans on sheep and cattle ranches. • Laws were made to limit where Aborigines could live and work. • Children were even taken away from their parents and sent to European schools. • The British hoped to end all Aboriginal culture with their policies.

Aborigines Today • Only 300,000 Aborigines live in Australia today.

• In the 1960s, policies were changed to be more in favor of Aborigines: • They can hold a seat in Parliament. • They can have their own schools which teach their culture, language, and art.

• Today, they live modern lives, some are teachers, lawyers, mechanics, nurses, politicians, etc.