Unit 3: Toward ConfederationChapters 8 & 9: A Growing Nation

Expansion to the West and NorthIn 1869, the Canadian

government arrange to buy Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Territory from the Hudson’s Bay company.

The NWT were to be controlled by the federal government, and not be given it’s own provincial government like the rest of Canada. All of this land purchase and government control was done without the consent of the natives and Metis who lived there, and many felt that the Hudson’s Bay company didn’t have the right to sell the land in the first place. This created conflict, of course, and lead to the creation of the province of Manitoba and the North West Territories in 1870.

British Columbia Joins 1868The population of British Columbia had

major growth during the gold rush of 1858-1868, which lead to major economic problems. Thousands of miners came to the area and the local government had to provide expensive services such as roads, bridges and policing. Even when the gold rush ended, the colony still had some expensive bills to pay.

They had two options – join the United States, or join Confederation – to help them pay their bills and ensure a market for their resources, such as timber, fish and coal. The government of Canada offered to not only pay their debts, but they made a promise to build a railway all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. BC accepted the offer and joined Canada.

Prince Edward Island joins 1873The people of Prince Edward

Island initially said no to confederation in 1867. At this time, the colony was doing well, so they didn’t see the benefit in joining.

But, as they started building a railway, and their debt started rising, they finally gave in. Canada, in return promised to pay off their debts, and offered money to buy land from the absentee landlords (people who own the land that farmer’s rent, but live very far away), and they promised a ferry to connect them to the mainland. PEI accepted their offer.

Treaties with First Nations in the West

Canada wanted to expand westward, and wanted to send settlers out there to live, because there was still a fear that the United States would try to take over the prairies. John A. MacDonald, the new Prime Minister of Canada, also had a plan up his sleeve… sending people to the west would make sure that the land, would be available for the building of a railway.

But, as always, there were some problems with this plan. In the USA, the settlers had major conflicts with the first nations people who lived there, and since the North West Territories were the lands of the natives, negotiations had to take place first. In 1763, the King of England put in place a Royal Proclamation that stated that first nations rights were to be respected, an this Royal Proclamation still affects legal decisions made today.

The 11 treaties signed between 1871 and 1921 were called the Numbered Treaties.

Treaties with First Nations in the West

• Some land would be kept in reserve for First Nation only• Every nation would receive a certain amount of money each

year, as well as support for schools, farming and help in time of famine.

• Settlers would be allowed to live peacefully on first nations traditional lands.

Many first nations people did not agree with signing the treaties, because they didn’t trust the government, and some said that they should refuse the settlers to move onto the land.

This map shows what area each of the Numbered Treaties covered.

While all of the Numbered Treaties were all a little different from each other, they had the same main ideas:

Why the First Nations Agreed

Most nations signed the treaties, despite not trusting the Canadians because:

• Many depended on the buffalo for food, shelter and clothing, but the use of firearms and killing for sport by the Europeans meant that the herds were rapidly getting smaller.

• European diseases were problems for the First Nations, and it is estimated that 1/10 natives died from starvation or disease in 1883-4 alone.

Creating Manitoba

The Metis considered themselves a unique race of people, with their own identity, history and culture. Metis are a mix of French or British and First Nations, a mixed race that began when the North West was colonized during the fur trade. They lived mostly around the Red River in what became Manitoba.

Besides the natives, the Metis had been living in the Red River settlement the longest, when the European immigrants from Canada started moving in.

Read A Closer Look on page 148 and 149. In your notebook, describe the Metis identity (language, religion, culture). Would you consider them their own nation? Why or why not?

Events at Red RiverThe Canadian government bought Rupert’s land in January of 1869, but were not allowed to take it over until December. Nobody talked to the Metis, so they were left wondering what was going to happen to them.

In the summer of 1869, surveyors were sent to the Red River area to start dividing up the land for the coming settlers, but the Metis already lived there. The Metis were worried and angry, and one man named Louis Riel spoke up to the surveyors, who left the area to avoid a fight.

They formed a National Committee of the Metis to decide how to protect their lands. They knew the surveyors would eventually be back, and not only did they not want to give up their land, but they didn’t want the Canadian government telling them how to divide their lands either.

Events at Red River

In October of 1869, the Lieutenant governor of the NWT went in to try and take over the Red River settlement, before the Canadians were officially supposed to take it over. But, a group of Metis stopped him, and took over Fort Garry. The fort, which was the administrative centre for the praries, was well stocked with food and ammunition, so they could last there a while.

The French and English Metis got together to form a provisional government (a government that is formed when no formal government is in place) and decided that if they were going to be forced into joining Confederation they wanted the same rights all the colonies had received. Within a few weeks, 24 year old Louis Riel became their leader.

Above: Riel and Donald Smith address a crowd of Metis at Fort Garry.Right: Louis Riel.Below: Fort Garry

John A. MacDonald decided that he would rather come to an agreement with the Metis, instead of taking the settlement by force. (Why do you think taking the settlement by force be a bad idea, even if Canada had the military power to do so?) The Metis got together and write up a Bill of Rights that was sent to Ottawa.

Key Points from the Metis Bill of Rights:• The Metis would keep their culture,

and use of both French and English education and law.

• The Metis would keep the rights to their land.

• The federal government would negotiate treaties with First Nations in the area.

Events at Red River

Events at Red River

Not all of the Red River settlers agreed with the Metis’ provisional government, and recent English settlers wanted the area to become English and protestant. They plotted to attack the provisional government.Riel found out about the planned attack and had the settlers put in jail, and only released those who agreed to either leave the Red River area or obey his government. Some of the men escaped and made plans to attack the Fort, but they were quickly caught and put back in jail.

One of the men, Thomas Scott who was an Irish Protestant, insulted the guards and swore that he would kill Riel. Under Metis law, Scott had committed serious crimes, and after a trial where he was found guilty, was executed by firing squad.

Events at Red River

Riel – Hero or Villain?When the rest of Canada heard of Scott’s execution, many English speaking protestants were furious and demanded that Riel be punished; they saw him as a murderer. French Canadians however, saw Riel as a hero who stood up for the rights of the Metis and their French heritage, defending their culture from the federal government.

John A. Macdonald was in a crisis – he didn’t want to upset the French or English because he wanted them to vote for him in the next election. He decided to wait and not arrest Riel, but try for a peaceful solution. He reached a deal with the Metis with the Manitoba Act, creating the province of Manitoba in 1870.

Manitoba was called the Postage Stamp Province because it was a small square centred on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

Events at Red River

Riel was happy with the Manitoba Act because it recognized the Metis settlement, but it was still unclear whether or not he would be charged with Scott’s murder. Most Metis and the French Canadians thought he had not committed any crime, but many English Canadians thought he was guilty and should be arrested. The province of Ontario set a reward of $5,000 for his capture. Some felt that even if he did commit a crime, he should be given amnesty (be forgiven).

In 1872, Macdonald arranged to send money to Riel to leave the country, but he decided to stay despite the danger. He had to go into hiding at one point because people were trying to kill him.

In 1874, Riel was elected as a member of parliament, but when he arrived in Ottawa, he was not allowed to take his seat in the House of Commons and people wanted him arrested. The new Prime Minister, Alexander Mackenzie, got parliament to agree to offer Riel amnesty if he left Canada for 5 years. This time, Riel left.

The National Policy

Alexander Mackenzie became the liberal Prime Minister from 1873-1878, and got elected when John A. Macdonald was forced to resign because he was accused of taking bribes. Macdonald got re-elected in 1878 due to his plan for a National Policy.The National Policy was a plan for the economy. Canada depended on trade with other countries, exporting natural resources and importing mostly manufactured goods. The main points were:• The Canadian economy would benefit if it did

its own manufacturing, and planned to put high taxes on imported goods. This would make those products more expensive than Canadian goods, so more people would buy things manufactured here.

• Encourage farmers and ranchers to immigrate to the prairies.

• Build a railway across Canada to make it easier to transport goods and people.

*Look at the diagram on page 154 to see how Macdonald’s manufacturing plan works.

The National Policy: Encouraging Immigration

Dominion Lands Act of 1872Macdonald’s government passed this to encourage homesteading (when farmers and ranchers move to an area that has never been farmed). This would help to build up the Canadian economy because grain and cattle produced could then be sold.Settlers could claim a quarter section of land for $10 so long as they built a house and a barn within three years. A certain amount of the land also had to be used for growing crops or raising cattle. These rules were in place so that people couldn’t buy and sell land to make a profit when the price went up, or become absentee landlords.

The National Policy: The Canadian Pacific Railway

A Transcontinental Promise

Macdonald had made a promise to British Columbia, as well as to other Canadian provinces that a transcontinental railway (stretching across the continent) would be built from sea to sea. This railway was essential for moving settlers west and farmed goods east.

In 1880 the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) got the contract to build the rail line. They were paid $25 million and given 10 hectares of land as well as other benefits; but the railway company still went into major debt to build the line.

See page 156 for a closer look at the railway line. What do you notice about the dates?

Building across the prairies was easy, since it was flat, but it still took 5000 men, 1700 teams of horses, and 24-7 hours of work for two years to complete the section across the prairies alone.

The major challenges came in building across the swampy areas of the Great Lakes, and building the section through the Rocky Mountains. When it was completed in 1885, it was the longest railway in the world!

The job was not only difficult and costly, but very dangerous…Read A Closer Look on page 157: What do you find the most interesting/surprising about this part of our history?

The “Last Spike” was driven into the ground at Craigellachie in Eagle Pass, British Columbia on November 7th, 1885. The first through passenger train left Montréal 28 June 1886 and arrived at Port Moody, BC, July 4.

The National Policy: The Canadian Pacific Railway

Watch the Heritage Minutes clip about the CPR and The Last Spike

Top: Chinese workers lay down track for the CPR. Bottom: The Last Spike being driven into the ground during a ceremony.

The National Policy: The Problems

The WestThe benefits:• BC and the prairies were given a way to get

their goods to other markets, and settlers helped build the economy

The problems:• The cost of shipping raw materials was high,

making it hard to make a profit• Because they didn’t have their own

manufacturing industry, the West’s economy was dependent on Central Canada’s economy which they had no control over

• Manufactured goods were expensive in the West due to the cost of shipping from Central Canada. Taxes on goods from the USA were also making goods more expensive.

What do you think the cartoon above is saying?

The National policy was great for Central Canada; shipping and manufacturing grew strong and provided lots of jobs as Ontario had industrial growth. But, the East and West were disappointed, and felt that they didn’t see as much benefit as Central Canada.

The National Policy: The Problems

The EastThe Maritime provinces (minus NL) had some big problems with the National Policy:

• Most of the Maritime economy depended on shipping goods from their ports, and high import taxes hurt their international trade

• They had to pay high prices for manufactured goods from Central Canada, and were not paid enough to make a profit from their raw materials shipped there

• NB and NS already had success in manufacturing at the time of Confederation, and since the National Policy was focused on helping the manufacturing industry in Ontario and Quebec, the Maritime industry did not do well

The National Policy: The Government Response

What problems were the same between the East and West?

The Canadian government didn’t do anything to help with the problems in the East or West, since the policies were working well for Central Canada, and the majority of the population (and therefore the voting public) lived there, their voice seemed to matter most in government decisions.

This is an extension of the representation by population rule… is this fair? What do you think?

What do you think these political cartoons are saying? Explain.

Trouble in Saskatchewan

By 1885, it was clear that Macdonald’s National Policy was not working as he had hoped. The Metis, the settlers and the First Nations in Saskatchewan had grievances (an official complaint that is made to people or organizations of power) against the federal government.

The SettlersThey were fairly ticked off about how the National Policy affected them, and they had other grievances as well. The settlers were concerned about the railway’s route and the land that was given out.

The MetisAfter the events at Red River, many Metis chose to move to the District of Saskatchewan because they were tired of waiting for land they were promised in the Red River, and because those that were given land were not necessarily given river front property and was not close to friends and family. Farming also became increasingly important with smaller buffalo herds. They hoped that if they moved west, they could set up again and protect their culture.

But… surveyors arrived in Saskatchewan too, and they ignored the traditional layout of Metis farms (narrow land along the river). They were promised a certain amount of land, but the government had not yet given them title to it. Again, the Metis were worried about their land rights, and wanted some representation in government.

Trouble in Saskatchewan

Gabriel Dumont was a respected Metis in the District of Saskatchewan, and was elected leader when the people were decided to take action against the Canadian government.

Trouble in SaskatchewanThe First NationsThe Saskatchewan River was the traditional territory of three First Nations groups – the Nakota, the Anishnabe and Plains Nehiyawak (the largest population, also called Cree) – who’s way of life depended on the Buffalo hunt. European settlement and the destruction of Buffalo herds destroyed the traditional way of life for the Natives.

By 1876, many of the Nehiyawak signed Treaty 6 with the Canadian government; the other nations signed later. By 1885, the treaties were not being honoured, as the Canadian government was not sending food and other supplies needed for them to survive, and they faced starvation.

Top: Chief Big BearBottom: Chief Poundmaker

Trouble in Saskatchewan: Return of Riel

In 1884, Dumont invited Riel to come back to Canada to help the Metis. His 5 year banishment was over, so he agreed.

Riel held meetings with French and English Metis, the First Nations and the settlers to work out a plan. They hoped that Riel could make the Canadians respect their rights like he had in Red River. Riel wrote up a list of grievances and sent it to Ottawa in December of 1884.

Key points of that petition:• Honour treaty promises with the First Nations• Change economic policies for settlers• Protect land rights of the Metis• Make Saskatchewan a province so they could

elect a government

When Macdonald received this petition, he assigned 3 men to investigate, but by March of 1885 the government still hadn’t acted. Riel was tired of waiting.

Trouble in Saskatchewan:Rebellion

Riel decided to take the same action as he had in Red River; he formed a provisional government and threatened to take the area by force.

But… many people believed that he had not given the government enough time to act, and lost the support of the English Metis, the settlers and most First Nations leaders except Big Bear and Poundmaker.

Those who did side with him elected Gabriel Dumont leader of the Metis military, and natives set up warrior lodges. 100 days of fighting followed.

What is this picture telling us?

Trouble in Saskatchewan: Rebellion

The RCMPThe North West Mounted Police had formed in the area to enforce the law, later becoming the RCMP, and set up at posts throughout the district. One of their major posts was at Fort Battleford in the District of Saskatchewan.

The MilitiaMacdonald organized a militia as soon as he heard about the situation in Saskatchewan, and they managed to travel from Ontario to Saskatchewan in 9 days. They travelled along the completed railway sections, and travelled by horse to the next complete section.

Read over Chronology of Key Events, 1885 on page 166. • What happened to Gabriel Dumont? • What happened to Louis Riel? • What happened did the two First Nations

chiefs do?

Trouble in Saskatchewan:Punishment

After the battles, most of the participants were tried for treason (the crime of trying to harm or get rid of the government by force), and the maximum penalty was hanging.

A number of Metis and First Nations were given jail terms, 6 were hanged.

The trial of Louis Riel was of great interest to Canadians because of his connection to the execution of Thomas Scott, and his direct involvement in two rebellions. French Canadians saw him as a hero, English Canadians saw him as a murderer for encouraging violence.

Louis Riel speaking at his trial. Why do you think this trial is often considered one of the most important trials in Canadian history?

Trouble in Saskatchewan: Riel’s Trial

Riel’s trial took place in Regina from July 29th to August 1st, 1885. The jury was made up of English-speaking protestant settlers, creating prejudice… why? People in Quebec formed a Riel Defence Fund to raise money for his legal fees. His lawyers decided that their only hope of getting him off or getting a lighter sentence was to convince the jury that he was mentally ill, but Riel did not want to use this defence, even though he had been hospitalized in the past.

In one hour and 20 minutes, the jury sealed his fate, deciding that Riel was guilty and was to be hanged.

Macdonald had to make a difficult decision – the French were furious and demanded to stop the hanging feeling that he was only being given this punishment because he was French, the English felt this punishment was deserved. Macdonald was in a loosing position either way, and would potentially lose half of the votes needed for the next election from one province or another. Macdonald took his time, having Riel examined to try and prove mental illness so he had reason not to hang him, but they didn’t find anything wrong with him. Macdonald gave the order to carry through with the sentence.

See page 169 for a poster printed by Quebec after Riel was hanged. In your opinion, is he a martyr or a rebel?

Heritage Minute video

Trouble in Saskatchewan: The aftermath

The outcome of the Northwest Rebellion• New settlers felt safer about moving

to the prairies• First Nations had no choice but to do

the best they could on the reserves• The Metis community broke up, and

their culture did not become strong again until later in the 20th century

• French and English Canadians grew further apart