History of Canada – 1867 to Present Unit 2 Review: Westward Expansion and the National Policy

Key Events and Timeline

• Confederation of Canada in 1867 marked the beginning of a new era of westward expansion
• Dominion Lands Act of 1872 encouraged settlement of the prairies by offering free land grants to settlers
• Canadian Pacific Railway completed in 1885 connected the country from coast to coast facilitating trade and migration
• North-West Rebellion of 1885 led by Louis Riel highlighted tensions between the Métis and the Canadian government
  • Resulted in the execution of Riel and the marginalization of Métis rights
• Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899) drew thousands of prospectors to the Yukon Territory seeking fortune
• Saskatchewan and Alberta joined Confederation as provinces in 1905 marking the establishment of the Prairie Provinces
• The Last Best West campaign (1896-1914) aimed to attract immigrants to settle and farm in the Canadian prairies

Political Landscape

• Prime Minister John A. Macdonald's National Policy aimed to create a strong, unified, and prosperous Canada
  • Consisted of three main components: protective tariffs, railway construction, and western settlement
• Macdonald's Conservative Party dominated Canadian politics during the early post-Confederation period
• Liberal Party under Wilfrid Laurier (Prime Minister 1896-1911) continued many aspects of the National Policy
• Laurier's vision of "sunny ways" emphasized compromise and conciliation in nation-building
• Debates over provincial rights and federal power shaped the political discourse of the time
• The Manitoba Schools Question (1890s) highlighted tensions between English Protestants and French Catholics regarding education
• Reciprocity election of 1911 focused on trade relations with the United States and Canadian economic nationalism

Economic Factors

• National Policy aimed to stimulate economic growth and protect Canadian industries through high tariffs on imported goods
• Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway created jobs, opened up new markets, and attracted foreign investment
• Completion of the railway enabled the export of western agricultural products to eastern markets and beyond
• Dominion Lands Act encouraged agricultural settlement and development in the prairies
  • Offered free 160-acre land grants to settlers who agreed to cultivate the land
• Wheat became a major export crop driving economic growth in the Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)
• Resource extraction industries such as mining and forestry expanded as new territories were opened up for development
• American branch plants established in Canada to avoid high tariffs contributing to industrial growth in central Canada

Social and Cultural Impact

• Influx of immigrants from various countries (Britain, Europe, United States) created a more diverse population
  • Newcomers brought their own traditions, languages, and religious practices
• Settlement of the west led to the displacement and marginalization of Indigenous peoples
• Residential school system aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture
  • Resulted in the loss of Indigenous languages, cultural practices, and family ties
• Social reform movements emerged to address issues such as temperance, women's suffrage, and urban poverty
• The Social Gospel movement advocated for the application of Christian principles to address social inequalities
• Establishment of new towns and cities in the west created opportunities for social and cultural institutions (schools, churches, community organizations)
• The idea of the "Last Best West" promoted a romanticized vision of the Canadian prairies as a land of opportunity and prosperity

Indigenous Perspectives

• Westward expansion and settlement policies had devastating impacts on Indigenous communities
• Numbered Treaties (1871-1921) aimed to extinguish Indigenous title to the land in exchange for reserves, annuities, and other provisions
  • Indigenous peoples often viewed treaties as agreements to share the land, while the Canadian government saw them as a means to acquire land for settlement
• Indian Act of 1876 gave the federal government control over many aspects of Indigenous life (governance, education, land use)
• Residential school system removed Indigenous children from their families and communities
  • Aimed to erase Indigenous cultures and identities through forced assimilation
• Métis resistances (Red River Rebellion 1869-70, North-West Rebellion 1885) asserted Métis rights and challenged Canadian authority
• Displacement from traditional territories disrupted Indigenous ways of life, economies, and social structures
• Indigenous peoples continued to resist assimilation policies and fight for their rights and self-determination

Immigration and Settlement Policies

• Dominion Lands Act (1872) and the homestead system encouraged agricultural settlement in the west
  • Settlers could acquire 160 acres of land for free if they agreed to cultivate it and make improvements
• Immigration policies initially favored settlers from Britain, Europe, and the United States
  • Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior (1896-1905), promoted immigration to the prairies
• Sifton's policies targeted "stalwart peasants in sheepskin coats" from Central and Eastern Europe
  • Believed they were well-suited to the challenges of prairie farming
• Immigrants faced challenges such as harsh climate, isolation, and limited infrastructure
• Some immigrant groups (Chinese, Japanese, South Asians) faced discrimination and exclusionary policies
  • Head tax on Chinese immigrants (1885) and outright ban on Chinese immigration (1923)
• Immigrant aid societies and religious organizations provided support and assistance to newcomers
• Ethnic block settlements emerged as immigrants sought to maintain their language, culture, and community ties

Transportation and Infrastructure

• Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway was a key component of the National Policy
  • Linked the country from coast to coast facilitating trade, travel, and communication
• Railway construction faced numerous challenges (terrain, weather, financing) but was completed in 1885
• Branch lines extended into the prairies to serve new settlements and transport agricultural products
• Grain elevators built along railway lines to store and ship prairie wheat to markets
• Railway companies played a significant role in promoting settlement and economic development
  • Canadian Pacific Railway advertised land grants and settlement opportunities to potential immigrants
• Road networks expanded to connect rural communities and support agricultural development
• Canals and waterways (Welland Canal, St. Lawrence Seaway) improved transportation and trade routes
• Telegraph lines and postal services enhanced communication between distant parts of the country

Legacy and Long-term Consequences

• Westward expansion and the National Policy shaped Canada's economic, political, and social development
• Agricultural settlement of the prairies transformed the region into Canada's "breadbasket"
• Wheat economy made Canada a major player in global grain markets but also created vulnerabilities to fluctuations in demand and prices
• Railway construction fostered national unity and economic integration but also created regional disparities and resentments
• Dominance of central Canadian interests (Ontario and Quebec) in shaping national policies led to feelings of western alienation
• Immigration policies created a more diverse population but also perpetuated racism and discrimination against certain groups
• Displacement and marginalization of Indigenous peoples had lasting impacts on their communities, cultures, and well-being
  • Intergenerational trauma from residential schools continues to affect Indigenous families and communities
• Legacy of the numbered treaties and Indigenous land rights remains a contentious issue in Canadian politics and society
• Debates over national identity, regionalism, and the distribution of power between federal and provincial governments continue to shape Canadian politics