1. Canada History, land, and culture

2. Canadian History Like the U.S.: – Colonial history – British influence – Multicultural – Large country w/ many differences region to region This makes it hard to find a “national identity”

3. 1 st groups to live in Canada – Inuits & Native Americans (Native Canadians) – Some lived along the coast, some made settlements in the Great Lakes region, others were nomads British & French – Most Canadians have British or French ancestry (British = 40%, French = 27%) – Started arriving in the 1600s – Wiped up much of the native population – Fought each other for land Period of war: 1689-1763 British won Battle of Quebec in 1759; France surrendered all its land by 1763 Under British law, French colonists were allowed to stay & keep their culture; Canadian gov’t continues to protect rights

4. British control – Canada was a British territory until 1867 – 1867 BNA created the Dominion of Canada Gave Canada its own gov’t; military & foreign policy still controlled by Great Britain – Canada gained full independence in 1931 – British monarch is still a symbolic ruler in Canada

5. Quebec – Home to most French-speaking Canadians English & French are the 2 national languages – Many Quebecois feel different from other Canadians French culture/language Feel they are discriminated against – Separatist movement Many in Quebec want to secede (or formally withdraw) from Canada and become a new country New cultures – Canada still receives many immigrants from Europe and, more recently, Asia

6. Canada Today Challenges – Balance natural resource use/extraction with environmental preservation Oil pipelines, lumber, fishing – Problems with urbanization Over 75% of pop. lives in urban areas Housing shortages, pollution, providing services/resources

7. Links with the U.S. – Longest undefended border in the world (5,000+ miles) – Cultural ties Radio & TV programs Pro sports leagues Easy travel/vacation – Similar language & heritage

8. – Economic ties Canada buys 25% of U.S. exports, U.S. buys 85% of Canadian exports Trade agreements – FTA (1988); eliminated many tariffs (taxes on imported goods); mixed results – NAFTA (1993); Canada, US & Mexico; more successful – Many Canadians feel the US/Canadian relationship is uneven Feel overshadowed; feel they know more about the U.S. than we know about them

9. Global role – Location on Atlantic & Pacific oceans gives the opportunity for trade with Europe & Asia – Membership in the Commonwealth of Nations provides links to developed & developing countries Good trade relationship with Europe – “Middle power” Cooperates with other countries to achieve global impact – Known for its role as “global peacekeeper” Promotion of arms control & peace negotiations

10. The U.S. & Canada – Shared Features Physical characteristics – Central plains – Rocky mountains & App. Mountains – Pacific & Atlantic Oceans – Great Lakes Climates – Humid Continental – Tundra/subarctic – Highlands – Marine west coast Ecosystems – Deciduous & coniferous forests – Tundra – Prairies

11. People & culture – Sports & recreation – Media & entertainment – Religion – Language – Large, diverse populations Economics, tech., environment – Advanced technology – Developed nations – Capitalist economies – High standard of living