The Immigrant Experience

Where Did They All Come From? The majority of immigrants came from continental Europe (France), Britain, and the US Loyalists from the US after the War of 1812 Europeans and British left due to overpopulation and land space

British Land System England was divided into large estates controlled by the wealthy. These lands were passed down through male lines Unfair System Poor classes could work the land but did not own it or its product (rent vs own) Unable to buy land due to inheritance system The desire to own land and its product motivated people to move

Obedience for the Empire The British government enforced the same land system so to promote strict British presence and authority Wealthy would be loyal to Britain Britain did not want colonists to adopt democratic values which led to the American revolution and the loss of the 13 British colonies

Why Move? Exaggerated advertising played on peoples desires in order to encourage people to move to the Canadian colonies A desire to own land A desire to leave the present class system Get rich Leave overpopulated home Find adventure

Saying Goodbye Leaving home was highly emotional as immigrants knew they were likely to never see their homeland and family again Took more than a month to travel across the Atlantic and very expensive

Deadly Journeys for the Poor Travelled in steerage in filthy, overcrowded coffin ships Cargo vessels were turned into passenger ships but had limited beds, fresh water, and no bathrooms Poor sanitation led to the breakout of disease Over half of those who arrived in Canada were seriously ill

Lower Your Expectations The upper class expected to keep the same privileges they had in Britain, yet the Canadian colonies leveled some of the barriers between social classes Hard labour to settle land Limited cheap labour and servants Upper class women had to get their hands dirty and take on new roles