1. Canada in the 1900s Canada was mostly a “rural” society. Canada was mostly a “rural” society. Most people were farmers, fishers, fur trappers, loggers, or construction workers. Most people were farmers, fishers, fur trappers, loggers, or construction workers. To have fun, Canadians played baseball and hockey, and had songfests and church get-togethers. To have fun, Canadians played baseball and hockey, and had songfests and church get-togethers.

2. Transportation Canadians got around using a horse and buggy, and used trains for long distance travel. Cars were new, and more and more people started to buy them.

3. Settlement of the West The Canadian government encouraged immigrants to settle in the West. Many became wheat farmers – and new farm machinery increased their production dramatically. Canada’s Aboriginal population was forced to resettle on government-controlled reserves.

4. Growth of the Cities As industries grew, people flocked to the cities for work in the factories. Most factory workers received very low wages, while the factory owners lived in mansions. Workers formed unions to bargain for better working conditions. A middle class emerged, made up of merchants and professionals.

5. The Boer War Canada, as part of the British Empire, was asked to help the British fight the Dutch Boers in South Africa. English Canadians sided with Great Britain, while French Canadians opposed Canada’s participation in the conflict.

6. Canada/US Relations Many Canadians wanted free trade with the U.S. – it would mean lower prices for consumer goods. Big business was against free trade – they would have a hard time competing with cheaper American goods. The Liberals, under Wilfrid Laurier, wanted free trade. The Conservatives, led by Robert Borden, sided with business against free trade. Borden defeated Laurier in the 1911 election. LaurierBorden

7. The Suffragettes Women wanted the right to vote! Suffragettes were most active in the prairies, and were supported by farmers’ organizations. Manitoba granted women the right to vote in 1916. Other provinces soon followed, but Quebec took until 1940! Nellie McClung

8. Your Homework! Show me that you understand what it was like to live in Canada at the turn of the 19 th century. Write a diary entry from a fictional character. 1 page long, doubespaced. Comment on 3-4 of the topics on pp. 8-9 of your textbook