Teaching Canadian History Founding of the Hudson’s Bay Company, May

O Canada Oh Canada Our home and native land True patriot love, in all they sons command With glowing hearts we see thee rise The true north strong and free From far and wide O Canada, we stand on guard for thee…… God keep our land Glorious and Free O Canada we stand on guard, for thee O Canada we stand on Guard, for THEE

Top Ten themes in Canadian History:

French-English Relations “ Two Nations warring in the bosom of one country” Lord Durham (l839) Since the British conquest of New France in l759, the relationship between English and French Canadians has been and remains the key to understanding Canada. Quebec, predominately French speaking province, perceives itself as besieged by the other nine anti-Quebec “Anglophone” provinces. Sub-themes: isolation, French Canadian nationalism to separatism. Wolfe’s death at Quebec, Sept 13, l759

Regionalism “Some nations have too much history, Canada has too much Geography.” Maritimes, Central Canada, Prairies, West Coast, the NORTH. Regional isolation and alienation (regionalism) Political dominance by populated provinces (Ontario and Quebec) Economic disparity between have and have not regions Cultural diversity between regions Overcoming Geography and climate.

Britain and the United States ambivalence and affection. “The problem with Canadians is that we spend half our time explaining to Americans why we’re not British, and the other half explaining to the British why we’re not Americans” Stephen Leacock Canada’s relations with these two nations has been a love/hate affair The relationship is asymmetrical. (You’re more important to us than we to you.) It has been difficulty (some say impossible) for Canada to be truly sovereign due to the pervasive influence of these two major powers.

The Canadian Question “ I don’t even know what street Canada’s on.” What is a Canadian? A toque clad, beer swilling, cod jigging, axe swinging, bilingual, multicultural, hockey player. The answer remains elusive.

Isolationism: “A fire proof house far from flammable materials” Canada’s view of the world salted with isolationist tendencies based on a realpolitik that we our moated by three oceans and our only continental neighbour is our friend (and protector). Canadians call themselves “the peaceful kingdom” A sense of disconnect from rest of the world.

Smelly fish and stinky furs Natural resources, agriculture, industrialization, technological diversification. Founded by fish and fur hunting Europeans Natural resource extraction (renewable and non-renewable have been and still are Canada’s raison d’etre Current trade disputes with US: Soft wood lumber tariffs and ban on Canadian beef (mad cow crisis)

Internationalism and Nationalism The development of an independent foreign policy - a result of Canada’s participation in two world wars, Korea, UN peacekeeping and peacemaking missions, NATO, NORAD and NAFTA. Canadian world vision is that we see ourselves as the helpful fixer. Lester B Pearson

Colony to Nation The evolution of Canadian sovereignty Canada’s path to nationhood took place over two centuries. Confederation (July 1, 1867) made us a self governing British Colony. WW I gave Canada its sense of nationhood and WW II completed the process.

Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada, like the United States, is a nation of immigrants. Melting pot (US) vs Cultural Mosaic (Canada) Official multiculturalism.

First Nations, minorities and gender. First Nations: Changing relationships with Europeans from fur trade to treaties and treatment thereafter. Role and impact of first nations on development of Canada. Issues: Land claims, self- government, residency schools) Minorities: Blacks in Halifax, Fr- Cdn rights; Japanese internment, Gender: changing role of women WW I & II, education, birth control, abortion. 1877: Treaty # 7: Chief Crowchild speaks.