The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The British Government believed that the American’s were a threat to their lands in Canada. “Manifest Destiny” Gold Rushes 0 Cariboo gold rush 1858 / Yukon Gold Rush 1898 Civil War in US The result was to allow ‘certain’ immigrants into the West to populate it with allies. “Representation by population”

In north western Europe posters like this one appeared all over. These were used to lure people to Canada by men that the British hired.

The Rupert’s Land Act was the biggest real estate deal in history. Canadian Gov’t received massive amounts of land. They paid the HBC pounds HBC was to keep a large amount of its trading posts Granted it one-twentieth of land from the entire holding With the stroke of a pen, the size of Canada increased six times.

The government gave free land, a quarter section, to newly arriving immigrants. They had to pay a $10 registration fee and reside on the land for three years. For land-hungry European's this was a ‘gift’ of 160 acres

In Europe there were ridged cultural classes. This means if you were poor you would stay that way; there was no way to improve your life. Canada enabled these people a chance to ‘rise’ socially European lands were also taken, if you were not the first son you had nothing.

Many of the people who came from Europe faced hardships The land was not prepared for farming, there were no homes, support, etc.

The European people who came to Canada have contributed to our culture in many ways They built up the wheat and farming industry They stopped America’s from pushing north They helped build the country and supported business, such as the CPR. (Railroad) They contributed to the upcoming war effects in WWI. Without them Canada would not be what it is today.

What you think happened to the First Nations communities in Western Canada? They were relocated to reserves and their lands were taken away. With the land in the west given away hunting lands were smaller. Europeans did not see them as equals and therefore racism increased.

There were immigrants of any other race. Anyone who was from Asia, Africa, or the Middle East. This also included Black American’s, Jewish peoples, and Eastern Europeans.

There were many Chinese Canadians living in Western Canada They had helped build the trans-Canada Railroad. They faced extreme racism The Chinese Head Tax – implemented by the government, Chinese people had to pay up to $500 when they arrived in Canada.

Japanese 1908 only 400 Japanese were allowed to come to Canada Black American’s Actively discouraged to come. Often on the grounds that they were unsuitable for the climate. East Indians 367 Sikhs came to Canada but didn’t have their Head Tax money and were sent home. Jewish Were allowed in small amounts, but only as refugees

With the information given do you think that the immigration was fair? Why do you think that Europeans were the only ones allowed in? Should Canada be proud of this?