Chapter 7

Developing a vast wilderness

The first settlers and colonial rivalry 7.1

• The story of Canada is of the fierce rivalry between the two European Nations that first colonized it—and their conflict with the First Nations people

• During the 16th and 17th centuries, French explorers claimed much of Canada

• With the British claims on the Atlantic coast, these countries were drawn into conflict for global empire– The French and Indian War (1754-

1763), part of a larger “Seven Years War”, placed the British as the superior power in the region

– French settlers remained

Steps toward unity• By the end of the 18th century, continuing conflict between

English and French settlers led to division into two provinces:– Upper Canada (Ontario): near the Great Lakes and English-

speaking– Lower Canada (Quebec): along the St. Lawrence River and

French-speaking• Continuing conflict led to reform:

– In 1867, the British North American Act crated the Dominion of Canada• This was to be a loose confederation of Ontario, Quebec and two

British colonies along the Atlantic coast, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

• The Dominion had self-government, but remained part of the British Empire, with Ottawa as its capital.

Continental expansion and development

• In 1872, the government began to build a transcontinental railway, completed in 1885– Montreal to Vancouver– Unlike in the US, where settlement preceded the

railroads, in Canada the railroad was a catalyst for initial settlement of much of the west

• In the 1890s gold was found in the Yukon, bringing many fortune hunters to Canada– Not long after discoveries of copper, zinc and silver

deposits prompted the building of new railroads– New immigrants began to populate the west

Urban and industrial growth• With the coming of the

industrial age, Canada became more urban and industrial– Cities sprang up wherever

farming was possible– Later, these became

industrial and service centers, drawing more people to them

– Most of Canada’s people live within 100 miles of the US border• Better climate, more

productive land, and better transportation linking east and west

Canada has a Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

• The country became fully independent in 1931• The legislative and executive functions are

combined in the parliament• The head of the majority party in Parliament is

the prime minister• The symbolic head of government is the Queen,

represented by the Governor General• Each of the provinces has its own legislature and

premier—the federal government administers the territories.

An increasingly diverse economy 7.2

• Canada possesses many natural resources– They formed the basis for its early economic strength– Uranium, zinc, gold, silver are among their many mineral

resources– Vast forests allow Canada to be a leader in the production

of newsprint from wood pulp• Although only 5% of Canada’s land is suitable for

farming, it is one of the world’s agricultural leading exporters of agricultural products

• Canada has been a leading exporter of fish, but recently, overfishing has caused supplies the decline.

More Economy

• Manufacturing employs about 17% of Canada’s labor force– Products: Automobiles, steel, household appliances,

electronics, and high-tech and mining equipment– Manufacturing is concentrated in the “Heartland”

from Quebec to Windsor (next to Detroit)• 70% of Canada’s GDP comes from service

industries• The United States is Canada’s leading trading

partner

A land of many cultures• Like the USA, Canada is nation of immigrants

– Early blend of French and native peoples gave birth to another culture, the metis people of mixed French and native heritage

– The current cultural richness has come from all parts of the world• Canada has two official languages: English and French• Most English Canadians are Anglican; most French Canadians

are Catholic– Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution

• Most Canadians live within 100 miles of the US border• Canada’s population is just over 30 million

– 80% live in cities,75% of French Canadians live in Quebec, many native peoples are found on reserves, the Inuit live in the north, many Canadians of Asian ancestry live on the west coast

Life in Canada today• Most Canadians enjoy a high standard of living• Canada leads the world in college attendance• Like Americans, Canadians value their leisure time– Hunting, fishing, skiing, skating, ice hockey and golf are all

popular– They enjoy their professional sports teams

– Hockey is a major sport– Canadian Football League– Blue Jays, Raptors

– Lacrosse is a sport developed by native culture• Arts: Inuit carvings and Totem Poles were early art

forms– Canada currently enjoys a vibrant arts sector

The Atlantic Provinces 7.3

• Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland

• Most people live in coastal areas and depend upon the sea for their living

The Core Provinces-Quebec and Ontario

• Referred to as Canada’s heartland– 3 of 5 Canadians live in these two provinces– Most settlement is along the St. Lawrence River

and the Great Lakes

• These provinces are the center of Canada’s political and economic life

• Toronto and Montreal are Canada’s two largest cities

The Prairie Provinces• Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta• Canada’s Breadbasket• Also rich in Mineral resources

The Pacific Province and the Territories

• Most of British Columbia’s population live in the Southwest, near Vancouver– Vancouver is Canada’s largest port– It’s capital, Victoria, is on Vancouver Island– The rest is mountainous, forested, or too cold

• Yukon is largely unspoiled wilderness• The Northwest Territory lies to the east• Nunavut was carved out of the Northwest

Territory in 1999– Home to the Inuit