The National Dream & the Builders of Canada Building the Canadian Pacific Railway & the Way to the West Mr.B SS10

Background Railways were the steel that bound this country together and made modern Canada possible.steel that bound this country together National Dream…joining the country together from “Sea to shining sea.”

A Railway or ‘No’ to Canada BC ENTERS CONFEDERATION -July 20 th 1871 With the promise of railway starting in 1873 NOT the case – broken Federal Promise! 1878 – BC`s Premier – De Cosmos threatened annexation with US Canada created the CPR Last spike 1885!!

Important People John A Macdonald Prime Minister Had a dream of creating a nation that would rival the U.S. Worried about U.S. & annexation Somehow, crafted a nation with - French Vs English - Roman Catholic Vs Protestant - Great Metis & FN discontent

National Policy Macdonald developed the National Policy for the election platform of – He believed that it was a formula for nation building – The policy remained part of Canadian government policy will into the 1900’s. – Dealt with three main issues

National Policy 1 1.A system of protective tariffs – During the 1870’s the Canadian economy was damaged by the U.S. – American companies could produce goods more cheaply that Canadian companies & they dumped their goods on Cdn markets. – Macdonald created a series of tariffs that would protect Canadian manufacturing, mining and agriculture from the U.S.

National Policy 2 2.Western Settlement – Eastern politicians viewed the west as a vast potential market – Wanted to encourage settlement by farmers – Gov’t discouraged development of manufacturing in the west so that Western farmers could become a captive market for goods

National Policy 3 3.The CPR – This was the cornerstone of the National Policy – The West could not develop without a way to transport goods in and out of the region

Important People con’t William Van Horne General manager of the CPR He picked Vancouver as the western end of the line In one year, the CPR laid 500 miles of track Keen intellect & a ‘Can Do’ man

Important People con’t Sir Hugh Allan Created the Canadian Pacific Railway company in 1871 Gave $ to Macdonald’s election campaign (over $300,000) Then Macdonald gave him a railway contract! Known as a capitalist scoundrel Sold CPR to American interests

Sir Allan’s house

Important People con’t Sanford Fleming Chief surveyor for the CPR Invented time zones Movie Clip

Important People con`t Alexander Mackenzie Prime Minister after Macdonald & Pacific Scandal ( ) Liberal Party – 1 st time in gov`t Disagreed with the building of the railway Hardworking & great integrity

Pacific Scandal Prime Minister Macdonald accepted a donation of $300,000 from Hugh Allan (to help run for re-election) in exchange for giving a guaranteed railway contract. Macdonald is re-elected an Allan gets a contract to build the railroad to BC You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!

What the CPR got? In return for building the railway: – the CPR would ‘own’ it. – The government gave the company 10 million hectares of land – The company sold off the land to settlers Student Question 1.Who got the better deal? The CPR for building or Canada for getting the railway? Why? - Make sure you explain your answer

A view of the Rockies Rocky Mountaineer traintrain

Chinese & Working Conditions Nitro Working conditions were harsh and dangerous Avalanches Tunnels collapsed Men fell from unfinished bridges and trestles

Chinese & Living Conditions Living Conditions Living in overcrowded tents Filthy bunk houses No medical facilities Exposed to harsh weather conditions Illness and disease (scurvy epidemic in Port Moody killed 200 Chinese) 600 Chinese workers perished on the Fraser Canyon section of the CPR Chinese Immigration to Canada Video

Canada`s Racist Immigration Policy The Head Tax Initially $50 then a $500 fee to enter Canada Aim to discourage Chinese immigration Canada collected $23-mil ($300-mil in 2013 dollars) from about 81,000 head tax payers

Chinese work gang on the C.P.R., Glacier Park, BC, 1889

Mountain Creek bridge, on the C.P.R., BC, 1889

Route through the Rockies

Roger’s Pass and Mount Carroll

Fraser Canyon, BC

Kicking Horse pass

Kicking Horse Pass / Spiral Tunnels

The Last Spike November 1885 – Eagle Pass, BC (Craigellachie) The CPR built the railway in 5 years (not 10 as was promised) BC was now linked to the rest of Canada Railway made it easier for people to settle the West Movement between east-west was faster (encouraged trade within the country)