History Study Notes
Unit 2: Our Developing Nation Notes
BNA in early 19th century
Eastern part = growing
War of 1812 ended, newcomers come to Upper C, forests cleared, communities, roads, farms built
Lower C = building economy, attracted entrepreneurs
Maritime colonies – fishing, forestry, shipbuilding, trading
Hudson’s Bay Company – north and west, claimed all lands drained by rivers flowing into Hudson Bay (huge part of NA)
Fur trade expanded west, North West Company, based in Montreal, built relationships with Aboriginals, explored west
Growth of colonies = not good for Aboriginals – died from diseases, starved after forced to give up land
Although Royal Proclamation of 1763 gave some protection for First Nations, British govt. wanted to gain control of their land through treaties
As more Europeans settled, colonists accepted that lands west, north of Great Lakes = fur trade
Immigrants wanted to farm the northwest, fur traders tried to prevent
Colonists wanted fixed boundaries, land, etc, conflicted with culture, lifestyle of fur traders, who became allies of Aboriginals (they had little to gain, everything to lose)
Upper Canada
In early 19th century, Upper C = newest colony of BNA, very difficult to get to places
Invasion attempts by Americans during 1812, American Revolution, reinforced Upper C’s ties with British Empire
Colony, community leaders = member of Loyalist families, pensioned British army officers, British gentry (put colony under British rule, laws)
Daily life
People depended on each other, formed close communities
Go to church, visit by clergy, build schools, social gatherings, work hard, barter economy
Farming = hard, almost everyone in debt at one point, had to mortgage next year’s crop to buy supplies
Aboriginal farming changed the world
Social class
Upper class wanted privileges, but life in colonies changed things, everyone had to work
Many missed Britain, thought Britain as real home, not Canada
Efforts of ruling classes
BNA in early 19th century
Eastern part = growing
War of 1812 ended, newcomers come to Upper C, forests cleared, communities, roads, farms built
Lower C = building economy, attracted entrepreneurs
Maritime colonies – fishing, forestry, shipbuilding, trading
Hudson’s Bay Company – north and west, claimed all lands drained by rivers flowing into Hudson Bay (huge part of NA)
Fur trade expanded west, North West Company, based in Montreal, built relationships with Aboriginals, explored west
Growth of colonies = not good for Aboriginals – died from diseases, starved after forced to give up land
Although Royal Proclamation of 1763 gave some protection for First Nations, British govt. wanted to gain control of their land through treaties
As more Europeans settled, colonists accepted that lands west, north of Great Lakes = fur trade
Immigrants wanted to farm the northwest, fur traders tried to prevent
Colonists wanted fixed boundaries, land, etc, conflicted with culture, lifestyle of fur traders, who became allies of Aboriginals (they had little to gain, everything to lose)
Upper Canada
In early 19th century, Upper C = newest colony of BNA, very difficult to get to places
Invasion attempts by Americans during 1812, American Revolution, reinforced Upper C’s ties with British Empire
Colony, community leaders = member of Loyalist families, pensioned British army officers, British gentry (put colony under British rule, laws)
Daily life
People depended on each other, formed close communities
Go to church, visit by clergy, build schools, social gatherings, work hard, barter economy
Farming = hard, almost everyone in debt at one point, had to mortgage next year’s crop to buy supplies
Aboriginal farming changed the world
Social class
Upper class wanted privileges, but life in colonies changed things, everyone had to work
Many missed Britain, thought Britain as real home, not Canada
Efforts of ruling classes