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Unions
From 1880 to 1910, workers had begun to create organized labour unions. They groups fought for working condition and wages. Though the unions fought long and hard, they were easily replaced during the early negotiations. Legal systems and the Government favored the employers. -
Last Best West
Laurier wanted more settlement in the prairies, so he made Canada sound and look more appealing to the immigrants. The Dominion's Land Act of 1872 gave one hundred and sixty acres of land to males 20 and older, but costed the settlers ten dollars, mandatory residing on the land for 3 years, cultivate 30 acres, and build a permanent residence. -
Wilfred Laurier Becoming Prime Minister
Wilfred Laurier had always been fascinated by politics extremism, and ideology. He was an important figure because he united Les Rouges of Quebec with the Clear Grits and Reformers of Ontario to what is now known as the Liberal Party of Canada. Laurier was later chosen to be the leader of the Liberal party in 1877, where he progressively strengthened his party with the help of supporters from Quebec. He led the Liberals to victory in 1896. -
Immigration to the Prairies
From 1898 to 1914, population in the prairies have increased substantially. This was due to the many jobs avaliable from new manufacturing industries promises of a better life/opportunities, and of course free land. -
The Second Boer War
This war was between the British and two countries occupied by the Boer (Transvaal, Orange-Free State). The British wanted gold and diamond from the Transvaal, as well as the desire to join the two Boer-occupied countries in a federation under British control. The result of this war ended with Boer villages turned into concentration camps and the conversion of the Boer republics into British colonies. -
Life on the Prairies
In order for the new Canadian settlers to adjust to their new lives, they had to raise five hundred dollars to outfit their homestead with the basic tools needed for farming. They did many jobs to get the money they needed. Some of which were lumber, mining, railway, farming. The settler's lived in harsh conditions, mud covered sod on a wooden frame was basically the outline of the house. They had extremely cold winters, smelly summers and natural disasters. -
Alaska Boundary Dispute
This event took place between Canada and the U.S over the boundaries of Alaska (Which was later purchased by the U.S). In 1897, the Klondike Gold Rush brought more tension between the two countries, so the dispute was assigned to an International Tribunal in 1903. The six members of the Tribunal (3 Americans, 2 Canadians, and Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief Justice of England) Decided in favor of the U.S. -
Alberta Becomes a Province
In 1882, the District of Alberta was created to be a part of the northwest territories. in 1905 Alberta was expanded and was officially given provincial status, with Alexander Cameron Rutherford as the first Premier. -
Saskatchewan Becomes a Province
With the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and most of the praries turned into farmland, many settlers came and thus the population grew. Saskatchewan became a province on September 1st, 1905. -
Laurier Boom Years
The new technologies encouraged development of Canada's rich storehouse of natural resources. The Canadian Shield forests gave raw material for the new pulp and paper mills, which resulted in the newspaper industry's uprise. The Canadian Shield was mined for many minerals. -
Anti-Asian Riots
Riots broke out in Vancouver on the seventh of September 1907. A white supremacist crowd beleaguered Chinatown, shouting racist slogans and vandalizing shops causing thousands worth in damages. The crowd moved onward to Japanese Town, where they were greeted by a crowd of residents who were armed and ready to fight back. This event ultimately led to the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. -
Naval Crisis
The Naval Crisis occured because there was a naval race between Germany and Great Britian, and the Two Power Standard (The British Navy needs to be greater than or equal to any two countries navies in the world). The British believed that in order for them to survive, the colonies had to contribute money to pay for the construction of new battle ships called dreadnoughts. Imperialists agreed to pay but the Nationalists did not, so Laurier proposed a Naval Service Act in 1910. -
Robert Borden Becomes Prime Minister
Robert Borden was the eighth Prime Minister of Canada. He ran for the spot of Prime Minister with the slogan "A White Canada". Borden was the first Prime Minister during World War I. His Government was turned into a wartime administration, passing many acts that granted more money/soldiers towards the war. He is shown on the hundred dollar bill. -
Life in the City
Many immigrants, as well as Canadians, left their old lives behind to start a new one in the city. Populations in cities skyrocketed as more and more people came from all over the prairies and other countries.Those who spoke little or no english, were often exploited by being paid less than what is owed. -
Building a New Railway
The increasing population meant one thing; the need for a way to travel quickly. What better way to travel quickly than a train. Railways such as the Canadian Northern Railway extended most of its lines to reach places farther. As well as the Grand Trunk Railroad which went from one coast to another. -
Immigration Issues (Chinese, Komagata Maru
The Canadian government announced an order-in-council which was made to stop all immigration coming from India. Immigrants who wanted admittance into Canada were demanded to arrive by a non-stop passage from which they came. This resulted in the Komagata Maru incident, where immigrants who paid for the voyage and followed instructions were detained in Vancouver's harbor and turned away because the ship came from Hong Kong. -
Womens Movement
Canadian women demand equality and justice because the lives they lived were horrible. Suffragists were the answer to this problem. They are women in the middle-class wanting social reform. Maternal Femanists believed female influence could possibly improve the lives of the women and children. -
Nisga'a Land Claim
The Nisga'a land claim was signed on August 4th 1998. It signifies that the land was officially belonging to the Nisga'a, a 300,000 cubic decameter water reservation was built and a park named "The Bear Glacier Provincial Park" was made as an arrangement because of this treaty.
