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Alaska Boundry Dispute
United States bought Alaska from Russia, the boundry between Alaska and BC was uncertain. It wan't until gold was found in 1898 that United States and Canada started to take interest. A tribunal was held 6 judges: 3 americans, 1 british, and 2 canadians. British sided with the Americans because they were having a boundry dispute with them and didn't want to anger them. Canadians were outraged, and spoke of full self-government and decision making for Canada. -
Unions
Many workers joined and organized labour unions to negotiate wages and such. The gap between the rich and poor were wider and wider, the working class wanted some of the wealth they worked for. When workers went on strike, they could be replaced or the employers called the private police and militia. Many violent conflicts and riots happened between workers and employers. -
Immigration Issues
Immigration to Canada had been difficult since the start of the gold rush and the CPR. Immigrants like Asians accept less pay, and do dangerous jobs. The asiatic exclusion League was formed. The league led a mob through Chinatown and Japtown, vandalising homes. To prevent anymore non-white immigrants, the government set out the Immigration act. Immigrants had to come to Canada by continous passage only. -
Immigrations to the Prairies
Population in Canada almost doubled in 1891-1912. The reasons for the growth in populations were the push and pull factor. The immigrants were either drawn in by the free land, better quality of life, or their country was over crowded, crop failures, religion and more -
Life on The Prairies 1
Once settled, the new settlers worked long hours in other farms, mining, railway building,and lumber to make at least $500 for plough, wagon, horses, and milk cows. Their first houses were called soddies. They were made of mud covered sod on wood frames. The sod were filled with flies and fleas, smelled and leaked. -
Life on The Prairies
Weather was another problem the settlers in the prairies had to overcome. The winters were long and cold. Meals and landscaper were always the same. There were natural disasters like drought, hail, and grasshoppers, but many settlers overcame these hardships. Over time roads were built and soddies were replaced with more comfortable living quarters. -
Last Best West
The economy was booming and Canada wanted to attracted many immigrants with its thriving economy, and in turn more people makes an even more successful ecomony. Many settlers had immigrated to the United States. To attract more people to settle in the the prairies, there was an offer of 160 acres of free land for farming. This brought in settlers from around the world, making the prairies the most diverse of Canada. -
Laurier Boom Years
The depression ended and world prices were increasing, Canada's economy was booming with all the resources like lumber, and mineral prices going up. New technologies helped develope the resources for pulp and paper mills. Industries grew and the CPR expanded. Everything was helping the economy grow. -
Wilfreds Laurier Becoming Prime Minister
The Liberal party won and Wilfred Laurier, the leader of the Liberals became Canada's seventh prime minister and the first French Canadian prime minister. Laurier's dream was that Canada will become a strong nation where french and english can get along. He faced many challenges like the naval crisis and the south African war. -
The Klondike
Gold was found near the boundry of Alaska and British Columbia. Men and women, rich and poor, all made their way to the Yukon. Everyone hoped to strike rich. The gold rush helped ease the world wide depression and the Yukon Territory was formed. -
Life in the Cities
Immigrant's life in the cities were quite miserable because they had no skills and spoke no english. They worked mainly in dangerous and low paying jobs. Thier homes were small, crowded, and unsanitary. Many women and children had to take jobs as well to support the housing and foods of the family. Children were unlikely to have education and were neglected because of the long hours the parents had to work. Many relied on each other and charity for help. -
Boer War
The Boer War or the South African war occured from 1899-1902. Britain wanted the newly found gold and diamonds from the Boers who were dutch. War was declared and Britian looked toward their Colonies for support. Canada was split into two. The nationalist (french), who didn't want to help and the Imperialist (english), who did. Laurier made compromise to take on cost of equip and ship volunteers to South Africa. -
Henri Bourassa
A former Liberal ally, Henri Bourassa was the leader of the Nationalists and in 1910 published a newspaper called "Le Devoir" to publicize the french's frustration. -
Women's Movement
The women's suffrage and social reform consisted of mostly middle class women who wanted social reform and the right to vote. They believed in social ills, child neglect, and poverty were because of alcoholism.They thought their influence will improve children and womens' lives. The prairies were the first to enfranchise women because the men and women struggled through the hardships together, and were regarded as equals. Soon, every province had enfranchised women. -
Laurier Boom-New inventions
Cars made there first appearance in the Eaton catalogue. Not every one liked them though, cars were banned in PEI because it tore up road, and scared children and live stock. Many soon realized it was great for transportation. Another invention was the telephone, Canadians welcomed the new form communication. The first wireless telegraph using morse code was also invented and radio broadcasting of music and voice. The most excitiing invention was of one minute films in 1896. -
Alberta and Saskatchewan becoming a Province
Alberta and Saskatchewan were the last of the prairies to become a province. Canadians cried out for provincehood. Laurier did not want to give so much power to the prairies, so he split them into two, creating Alberta and Saskatchewan. -
Naval Crisis
Naval race between Germany & Britain. To take over the sea, Britain made the "Two Power Standard"-Britain's navy is bigger or equal to two other countries navy. Countries of the British Empire were required to give money to build more ships or contribute ships. English Canadians wanted to help, but French Canadian wanted Canada to have its own navy and not depend on Britain. -
Nisga'a Land Claim
The Nisga'a land claim took over 90 years to resolve. The Nisga'a were the first natives to followed the Canadian political system in order to get to their goal. They didn't sign a treaty therefore the government can not survey the land.The chief of the Nisga'a wanted a treaty that will give them more land, honour the aboriginal title, and compensate for any land they give up. It wasn't until 1998 that the treaty was signed. -
Anti-Asian Riots
Many Asians settled in Canada after the building of the CPR. They established Chinatowns, and Japtowns. They faced discrimination and prejudice. On September 1907 The Asiatic Exclusion League vandalized Chinatown for 3 days and then went on to Japtown. -
Naval Service Act
Laurier introduced the naval act. Canada now has a navy of its own which can be lent to Britain. Nationalist thinks that it relates to much to Britain, Imperialist thinks its not enough help and nicknamed the Canadian navy "Tin Pot navy" -
Building a New Railway
With the good economy, more railways were built. Some reaching to eastern Canada or interconnecting. Railway cities were being built around the stations. World War 1 made the railways unprofitable and didn't encourage immigration, so the government decided to make all railways except the CPR "to be owned by the people of Canada" -
Borden Becoming Prime Minister
Borden was the eighth Prime Minister of Canada. During WWI he passed the War measure Act and the Military Service Act. He wanted Canada to have one Canadian Army instead of just British Divisions. He also introduced Canadian income tax.
