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Immigration to the Prairies
Many people immigrated to Canada, specifically the Prairies, because of the oppurtunity and land that was there. People left their countries because of push/ pull factors. Rising grain prices also influenced people to move to the prairies. -
Wilfred Laurier becomes a Prime Minister
In 1896, Wilfred Laurier won the Canadian Federal election and became the prime minister of Canada. He was a French-Canadian Liberal leader. Most Quebec votes were pleased to see a French-Canadian elected. As a prime minister, Laurier wanted to promote national unity at home and protect Canada's interests abroad. -
Boer War
The Boer War ocurred from 1899 to May 31, 1902. The fighting was between the Cape Colony and the Transvaal, where diamonds and gold were located. Laurier compromised to take on the cost to equip and transport volunteers to South Africa. -
Laurier Boom Years (Arrival of New Inventions)
As time went on, newer technologies were created, allowing Canada to realize the great amount of natural resources they had in their country. Pulp and paper mills were created, and the Canadian Shield was seen as a good place to find minerals and other helpful resources, so people began to mine their. -
Life In The City
Between 1896 and 1914, the immigrants who did not settle on the prairies moved to the city. The industry development in the city encouraged people to leave the prairies, and those who did had other good job oppurtunities. -
Life on the Prairies
When people first came to Canada, they needed supplies to oufit their homestead. This was at least $500, and it paid for all their basic tools and supplies. To raise this money, they worked on other farms, or in mining or lumber industries, or on the railway. -
Naval Crisis
The Naval crisis started between Germany and Great Britain. The British had a two power standard which meant they wanted their navy to be bigger or equal to any two navy countries. Laurier introduced the Naval Service Act in 1910. He proposed that Canada would have a navy of its own, which would be turned over to Britain in time of emergency. However, the Imperalists and Nationalists both did not like this. -
Alaska Boundary Dispute
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. The exact boundary between Alaska and the remote northwest of B.C. was unclear. After gold was discovered a surge of miners came into the Yukon in 1898. This was a problem for Canada, but after a series of negotiations the large amount of people coming into the area encouraged the Canadian government to establish the Yukon Territory. -
Saskatchewan Becomes a Province
Laurier wanted more people to move to Canada, and if Canada had two more provinces, the immigration to this new country would double. The area of Saskatchewan and Alberta was divided and made into two seperate provinces on the same day. -
Alberta Becomes a Province
Laurier wanted more people to move to Canada, and if Canada had two more provinces, the immigration to this new country would double. The area of Saskatchewan and Alberta was divided and made into two seperate provinces on the same day. -
Nisga'a Land Claim
A commitee called the Nisga'a Land Commitee was formed because they wanted the right to their ancestral lands. They succeeded soon after, when the government of Canada and B.C. initialed a historic land claim treaty with the 5,500 people of the Nisga'a First Nation. The Nisga'a, under this treaty, gave up 90% of their land, as well as their tax-exempt status. However, in return, the Nisga'a received almost 2000 square kilometers of lands, resource rights, and 300 million dollars. -
Anti-Asian Riots
With all of the Japanese and Chinese immigrants coming to Canada, there were many unhappy people. These people were the white Europeans, who wanted a completely Caucasian community in Canada. Anti Asian Groups rioted in the areas where the Chinese and Japanese people lived, vandalizing their stores and communities. -
Unions
The rise of unions occured when it became obvious that workers were being paid differently. The richer companies flaunted their wealth, while the poor workers, with barely any money, grew upset. They began creating unions to crete equal pay for everyone. -
Borden Becomes Prime Minister
Borden became Prime Minister in 1911, during the First World War, and because of this his main acts revolved around that. Borden wanted Canada to prove it's independance, and wanted Canada to have its own army. Another idea of his was to provide half a million soldiers for the war effort, but when Canada realized this wouldn't end the war any sooner, people were hesitant to volunteer. -
Building a New Railway
Because population was increasing, the idea to build new railways was a good option. Railways expanded their lines throughout Canada, making travel and transportation easier for the many people who were flocking to Canada. -
Immigration Issues - Chinese & Komagata Maru
It was hard for the Chinese to immigrate to Canada. Half the time, they wouldn't even be allowed into the country. The Komagata Maru was a ship that carried 376 passengers from India. However, these passengers were not allowed into Canada, and had to sail back to Hong Kong, where they had depearted from. -
Women's Movement
Women who lived in Canada were not treated the same as men. Women rarely worked outside so they had low expectations. Suffragists were middle class women who were devoted to social reform. The women eventually succeeded and the first province to allow women the right to vote was Manitoba, in 1916. -
Last Best West
The Last Best West was what slogans promoting Canada to other countries promised. The Last Best West promoted Canada's land and oppurtunities, which looked appealing to other countries. Canada wanted more money and people, and because of Canada's economy, many immigrants from other countries moved to Canada. These included many Europeans, as well as Asians.
