1. NL Studies 2205 (4.1-4.7) Influence of the land
Mining Forestry

2. Diversification (4.1)
As more residents came to fish there were changes in the fishery:
1) Less fish meant less profit.
2) There was a low biomass (organic matter) - Cod stocks were low at this time because fish were not reproducing at the rates they had in the past.
3) The seal fishery was on the declined as well

3. The Need to Diversify
Residents were still using subsistence activities to satisfy many household needs goods but items such as flour, tea, molasses, sugar, bulk salt and medicines had to be bought.
By the Mid 1800’s, the government knew this and pushed for more employment in the natural resources sector (ex: Forestry and Mining.)
Government felt building a railway was the best way to begin work in new areas of employment.

4. The Railway Railways were popular in the U.K. for industrialization.
Railways were used to build and unify their the countries of the U.S. and Can.
The line would be build from St. John’s to Port aux Basques through Hall’s Bay. This would open up the interior of the island.

5. Birth of the Railway Work on the railway began in 1881.
Up to 2200 men were employed in the construction
In 1882 a new route was designed which would take a more direct westerly direction towards Port aux Basques.
By 1897, the line reached its final destination.

6. Consequences of Railway
Railway cost 10.7 million ( approx. 300 million in today’s terms).
Many people were employed during its construction and maintenance. Short term work.
It opened up the interior of the island for new industry such as mining and forestry.
It was this pull factor to attracted
new people to the island.

9. Forestry
Our forests have played a significant role in the lifestyles of both the indigenous people and the fishers.
- The indigenous people used the forest for toboggans, snowshoes, kayaks, weapons, and shelters, as well as many medicines.
- Migratory and resident fishers used forest for fuel, the construction of stages, flakes, wharves, boats, and houses. In addition, dried fir bark was sometimes used to cover fish during the curing process

10. Only with the creation of the railway system did this sector open up for economic development.
After the 1800s, government promoted creation of sawmills which would export timber to other countries.
In 1875, the Government of Newfoundland passed a Crown Lands and Timber Act, which intended to promote the sawmilling industry in the colony.

11. These rules are in effect today.
It became a tradition for fishers to regard the coastal forest zone as their reserve to which they had free access. This tradition became incorporated into law in the Crown Lands Act of 1930 which specified that:
- A three-mile (4.8- kilometre) coastal limit for the use of fishers.
- no construction or clearing can be done 3 meters from any waterway
- access to waterways cannot be obstructed
These rules are in effect today.

12. There were three forms of agreements:
To stimulate growth in this industry, the government offered land tenure agreements to companies. In a land tenure agreement - the Crown (government) retains all legal rights to the land and the individuals or groups that they let use the land are either its tenants or subtenants.
There were three forms of agreements:
Freehold Agreement (ownership) – a recipient was entitled to exclusive possession of the land.
2. Leasehold Agreement (gov’t rents the land) – a recipient had the right to use the land, forests, minerals, and water in exchange for a low annual rent to be paid to government.
3. Timber Licence (gov’t owned but the group may harvest the resources) – a recipient could claim property rights on the forest resource only.

13. First large scale sawmill in the province opened at Botwoodville (Botwood) in 1890.
In 1907 the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company began construction of a mill, a powerhouse, and a company town at Grand Falls. The mill began production in 1909.
Company Town – a town whose residents depend on a single business for employment, housing and shops.
Corner Brook mill open in 1925, which still operates today.

14. A Logger’s Life
Like the fishers and sealers, a logger’s life was difficult. However, mills offered steady, year round employment. Employees earned wages not credit like fishermen of the past.
overcrowded bunkhouses,
food was poor
no pay for time off work for sickness or injury
Some workers returned to the fishery when the season opened.

15. Will we ever learn not to over-exploit a resource?
By 1901, province had nearly 200 mills opened which employed 2400 workers and exported $480,000 worth of lumber each year.
Lumber exports saw decline in the 1920s. Companies competed for business and pine shortages began to appear.
Will we ever learn not to
over-exploit a resource?

16. War The loggers skill set was essential in the War effort

17. Mining
Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the oldest rocks in the world. We have many valuable mineral deposits in our land. Early settlers and government came to know this. Began to mine the land once the railway opened up the island.
Early Mining in the Province:
- Aboriginal groups carved rocks
into tools, weapons and works of art.
- The Norse also mined. Used iron from bogs to make tools.

18. Most mining activities began with the creation of the railroad.
The first major mining operation was in Tilt Cove from for copper.
Other large mining operations included:
The Bell Island Mines (1895). (Iron Ore)
The St. Lawrence Mines (1933). (Fluorspar)
The Buchans’ Mines (1928). (Zinc, Lead, and Copper).

21. Aspects of Mining
Mines allowed people to live in places which may have been previously uninhabited. New towns
Fewer workers than fishery and forestry sectors.
Mining was hard work and miners often worked 12 hour shifts or longer.
Many miners also faced safety risks in their positions as health and safety was not held in the same regard then as it is now.

22. Men Who Die For A Living

23. Population
1901 census stated people lived on island and 3947 in Labrador. 70.6% of people still lived on coast.
New towns were created as:
West coast communities increased with East coasters moving away from this over-populated area.
New industry meant a moving
population. People moved
to areas of employment.
Increased economic spin-off
activities.

24. Population Distribution
Emigration: is the act of leaving one's resident country with the intent to settle elsewhere.
Railway also allowed people
to leave island easier.
Many NLers left island to
move to CAN or U.S.
for work.

26. Immigration
NL had Open Door Policy for immigrants. You did not need papers signed in enter the country.
Immigrant: a person  who moves to another country, usually for permanent residence.
1800s: Mainly from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Late 1800s-1920s: Mainly from Middle East and China. They were trying to escape religious persecution and poverty.

27. Economy worsened and gov. became exclusive. Aliens Act (Law) 1906
Non-British immigrants forced to take medicals.
Chinese had to pay $ head tax as a part of the Chinese Immigration Act 1906
- See page 328

28. Enough Diversification?
Many industries opened during this time, but large portions of population still fished for work.
Did the development of land-based industries do enough to diversify the economy and decrease the colony's dependence on the fishery?

29. Life in Newfoundland cira. 1900
As province opened up, lifestyle changed for residents.
Telecommunications began spreading across island. In 1921 radios were used to broadcast music and messages.
Healthcare improved, yet still was not widely available.
An educational system emerged. Although they Schools tended to be one room and many students worked instead of attending.
The start of transportation systems

30. Significant Experiences in NL During this Period
Graffiti Activity
The Great St. John’s Fire, 1892
The Bank Crash, 1894
Newfoundland Sealing Disaster, 1914
Spanish Flu Outbreak,
Tuberculosis outbreaks happened during this time.
The Burin Tsunami, 1929
Assignments:
Complete “Life in Newfoundland cira. 1900” worksheet.