social studies test chapter 6

• Complex Canadian identity includes aspects of culture such as language, religion, sports, music, literature, games, government, inventions, symbols, and fashion
• Canada's complex identity develops over time based on its history and changes as people build their societies
• Between 1763 and 1850, the complex Canadian identity continued to develop with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of British immigrants who brought British values and traditions
• The United Empire Loyalists came from various backgrounds and opposed the War of Independence for reasons like not believing in violence, having business ties with the British, being in military regiments that fought on the British side, seeking freedom, or having lost land to Americans
• Many Loyalists fled to Canada, seeking shelter and safety, which changed the Canadian identity forever
• Loyalists migrated to Nova Scotia and other British colonies, doubling the population of Nova Scotia and creating new communities
• Black Loyalists faced discrimination and racism, received less land than other Loyalists, and worked as tenant farmers
• Despite hardships, many Black Loyalists stayed and built a rich heritage in Nova Scotia
• Britain divided Nova Scotia into New Brunswick and Cape Breton Island in 1784, and Île Saint-Jean was renamed Prince Edward Island
• The land chosen by Haldimand for the Loyalists belonged to the Anishinabe Nation
• The Anishinabe gave up land in return for guns and trade goods because they did not believe in buying and selling land, but in sharing it
• Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) demanded land for the Mohawk Nation after the British gave away the promised land west of the Mississippi River to the Americans
• The Mohawk were given land along the Grand River, creating the largest Six Nations Reserve
• Having land gives a people a place to live and belong, affecting their sense of identity
• Upper Canada (southern Ontario) and Lower Canada (old colony of Québec) were created in 1791 under the Constitutional Act, allowing French and English cultures to co-exist
• The War of 1812 affected British North America, with tensions between Britain and the United States leading to battles in Upper Canada
• General William Hull led American troops into Upper Canada in July 1812, but the British and First Nations allies fought back
• The War of 1812 ended in a deadlock with the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814, making the 49th parallel the political boundary from west of the Great Lakes to the Rocky Mountains
• About 15,000 First Nations allies died in the War of 1812, more than British and American casualties combined
• Britain planned the Great Migration between 1815 and 1850 to bring immigrants from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to the colonies, making the Canadian identity more British
• Reasons why many people wanted to leave Britain to live in the colonies:

  • Population growth in Britain, but scarce job opportunities
  • Farmers being forced off the land
  • Poverty and hunger were common
  • Ireland suffered a terrible famine, forcing rural people to flee
  • Safer ocean travel with peace
  • Colonies offered free land, new opportunities, and a chance for a better life
• Flow of immigration after 1815 reinforced the British character of Canada:

  • The Great Migration brought a large number of people from Britain to Canada
  • Newcomers opened up vast areas for farming and new industries
  • Towns sprang up serving the needs of the local community
  • People followed British customs and traditions, played British games, and spoke English
• Immigration during the Great Migration:

  • Immigrants travelled from Britain to Canada by ship
  • Most immigrants were poor and crowded into dark and filthy holds below deck
  • Some immigrants stopped in the Maritime colonies, but most continued to Québec City and Montréal
  • From there, most newcomers travelled by land to Upper Canada
• Effects of the Great Migration on developing Canadian identity:

  • The arrival of many people from Britain changed the identity of the British colonies
  • Newcomers brought a British flavour to their new communities
  • They followed British customs and traditions, played British games, and spoke English
• Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada in 1837:

  • The Legislative Assembly had little power, with real power in the hands of the governor and two councils
  • Council members passed laws that favoured their own interests, leading to discontent among colonists
  • Reformers demanded change, but changes were denied year after year
• In British North America, voting to elect members of the Assembly took place in public
• Voters had to announce the name of the person they were voting for, with no privacy
• Some candidates tried to influence the way people voted, while bullies sometimes prevented people from voting for rival candidates
• Bribery was used to influence voters, with promises made or payments given to people to vote for certain candidates
• Voting remained public until 1874
• Louis-Joseph Papineau led a group of radicals called the Patriotes
• In 1834, the Patriotes presented the Ninety-Two Resolutions to the Assembly, calling for sweeping reforms
• In 1837, the British government rejected all of the demands of the Patriotes
• Papineau urged the Canadiens to take up arms, leading to fighting in November 1837 at Saint-Denis
• The Patriote uprising was eventually crushed by British forces
• Lord Durham was sent to Canada in 1838 to understand the causes of the rebellions
• Durham recommended uniting Upper and Lower Canada into a single colony and granting responsible government to the colonies
• In 1841, the Act of Union created a single colony with two provinces: Canada East and Canada West
• English became the only official language of government, causing discontent among the Canadiens
• Responsible government was achieved in 1848