Chapter 2: Newcomers Economic Empowerment

QUESTIONS What do we mean by ‘economic empowerment?’ What economic changes occurred when Europeans came to North America? QUESTIONS

First, consider who has been here since time immemorial (for as long as anyone can remember) – how did the European settlers change their world? PREDICT

Needs are things we need to survive/live and thrive Needs are things we need to survive/live and thrive. For example, we NEED water, air, shelter, food, clothing, love/care, as well as education and medicine. Wants are things we do not require, but simply would truly like to have. For example, the latest brand name clothing, Smartphones, Heinz ketchup, Cadillac Escalade, etc. NEEDS VERSUS WANTS

Main reasons Europeans came to North America;  Wanted to own more land. Wanted to spread their culture and religion all over the world. Looking for economic opportunities.

For centuries (100s of years), the land had be rented by the vast majority by a select group called the monarchy (king, queen, etc.) and nobility. This created much poverty, so many came to North America looking for their own land and prosperity. Why was private land ownership so important to these new European settlers? Europeans were also looking for natural resources, such as timber, furs, fish, seal oil and pelts, and minerals.

Before the 1700s, everything was made by hand.  Specialized jobs one could find in European cities: A blacksmith who did metalwork, as well as bakers, coopers, weavers, and dressmakers. Jobs people performed in European rural areas – the countryside: Women would spin sheep’s fleece into wool then into cloth; men made their own barrels. Production: the action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials.

Distribution: the selling of (manufactured) goods What was the main goal for most people in Europe? To work to benefit themselves and their families. Markets were the most common way for people to distribute goods. Distribution: the selling of (manufactured) goods

When using the term contact, what are historians referring to? The time when Europeans first came to North America. The Impact of Contact

Early Contact in the Maritimes Why did the newcomers, the Europeans, need the assistance of the First Nations people when they first arrived? They did not understand/know how to survive on the new land. In what way did this relationship grow? What did they want from each other? They realized there were economic opportunities – the newcomers wanted fur, and the First Nations were interested in goods such as metal knives and pots. Early Contact in the Maritimes

A treaty is an agreement between two or more nations A treaty is an agreement between two or more nations. It could be to settle a war or agree on an economic issue. A treaty sets out the nation’s rights and responsibilities, and is meant to be honoured and respected. Treaty

By the early 1700s, Great Britain had the most power in the Maritimes. Purpose of treaties – Great Britain’s perspective: Would help make sure the First Nations would side with them during any conflicts with the French (France). Purpose of treaties – First Nation’s perspective: Would ensure peace and allow them to maintain their way of life for future generations. MAIN IDEA of Treaties: The First Nations agreed to act peacefully toward the British, and the British agreed to respect First Nation’s rights. Which First Nations groups were affected by these treaties? Treaties

Effects of the Fur Trade The fur trade changed the economies of the First Nations. Normally, First Nations would spend their time hunting and fishing for their own needs. Because of the fur trade, First Nations spent much of their time hunting for pelts, causing them to rely more on European goods such as flour and cloth. Overhunting caused the animal population in the east to decrease – European fur traders moved West. First Nations’ way of life had changed and now had difficulties meeting basic needs. Effects of the Fur Trade

The Effects of European Settlement CAUSES EFFECTS Forests cut down, lands were fenced in Fewer decent hunting areas Roads and towns built Newcomers taking over waterfront areas that provided food sources. Europeans not sharing the land First Nations struggling to survive The Effects of European Settlement

Beothuk First Nations of NFLD. Economy of the Beothuk: Based on fishing, gathering shellfish, and sealing in the summer; hunting caribou and other fur animals in the winter. Fishing brought the Europeans to NFLD. Due to conflicts with the fishers and settlers, many were killed. They also starved and died of diseases brought by the newcomers. Beothuk