Canada is a country with a very similar history to the U.S. (at least up until the American Revolution). Canada began with an indigenous population, made up of the “people who turned left” and the “people who turned right.” After a while, a new population – the Europeans – came into the picture, sailing towards Canada while looking for “God, glory, gold” i.e. to spread Christianity and become famous and wealthy. When these two populations interacted, it was sometimes peaceful (when they could figure out how to make compromises over the land that they were both trying to have access to, albeit in different ways), and sometimes violent (when a middle ground could not be found, and a battle over who would have resources and dominance ensued). Eventually, the Europeans, now Canadians, won this battle for dominance, and began to reify their culture – generally at the expense of First Nations cultures, but sometimes with regard to them – expanding the reaches of their government more and more into all people’s lives. A major shift in ideology came not when the idea of government expansion was questioned, but when the idea of who was in control of this government expansion was questioned. Were the people in charge of their government, or was the government (the rich) in charge of its people? This questioning led to the rebellions of 1837-1838 in Upper and Lower Canada, and eventually to the establishment of responsible/representative government in Canada in the 1840s. In the first half of this course, the ideology that people are responsible over each other, and therefore responsible over how society looks and functions, culminated in the materialization of government institutions like the police, public schools and penitentiaries.
There are a few storylines that seem to best describe the progression from early settlement to confederation within the nation of Canada. A storyline of that defines Canadian identity is that of escaping annexation by the USA. Throughout this early period of Canadian existence, there were often threats by the USA to take over parts, or all of Canada. Whether it be politically or militarily, Canadians can take pride and define themselves as successfully resisting this aggressive USA policy of manifest destiny. Next, one must consider the great importance multiculturalism has played in shaping Canada. The story has greatly developed from the first meetings between French explorers and indigenous First Nations. From early on, traders were forced to develop positive relationships that crossed cultural barriers, and eventually we saw the creation of a Metis Nation, as well as various treaties between European settlers and indigenous groups. Even during wars, the importance of multicultural cooperation was evident, through the value of Tecumseh’s aid during the War of 1812. Continuing on this trend, in a broader context, one can view Canada’s storyline as one of progression, and in my opinion, liberal progression. However, to say that the road has been free of controversy and steps in the wrong direction is an outright incorrect statement. This can be seen through the elimination of French as an official language of parliament, just prior to confederation. This in mind, it is more important to look at the positive liberal action taken by Canadians during this period, that created precedent, and in a way set the tone for liberal conventions that are most prevalent in modern day Canadian political, social, and economic society. Religious tolerance, liberal political change, and abolition of slavery are perfect examples. Furthermore, one can observe the loss of influence of the Chateau Clique and the Family Compact as further liberal progression. Also, rebellions in the name of progress showed that it was not in Canadian’s interests to accept what they believed to be as unfair. Responsible government is the ultimate prize achieved in this era. It embodies the goal of democracy, and it can be seen through Lord Elgin’s actions to make himself, as governor, accountable to the elected assembly. Canadians can look back on this era with extremely positive feelings. Canadians during this period set the stage worldwide for ideals of tolerance, multiculturalism, and liberal progression.
Canada is a place that is defined by three specific words; they are, diversity, isolation and uniformity. While these three words describe a world of approximately ten thousand years ago, they also parallel to Canada as a country. Canada can be seen as diverse because of the different ethnic groups that arrived here to settle from Europe. Even though this diversity is what makes our country unique today, it was not always a place of equality. Isolation often erupted from this dominating diversity. More importantly, what stands out most, as defining Canada, is the way in which the people of this country were at continuous states of contentment and revolution. For example, The Great Peace would substantiate as the contentment and The Seven Years War would display the revolution. These alternating states are what represent the isolation between different cultural groups in Canada. The people were in constant search of a stable government who would look out for the best interest of them. Achieving responsible government in 1848 is one aspect of history that demonstrates the uniformity in Canada.
A significant piece of history that deserves a substantial amount of recognition is the fur trade. The industry not only brought positivity to the country but also negative aspects as well, further creating an alternating state of contentment and revolution. From the emergence of the fur trade, the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company, created the Métis nation. This was an historical influence for First Nations people.
Finally, one of the most essential parts of Canadian history to remember is the areas that regard Educational Reform. Similarly to present educational institutions, the formation and significance of school architecture influenced the way people would be taught and the way they would learn for years to come. For example, a fenced school, fixed seating and the obedience to the school bell are all factors of education still used presently. The use of standardized textbooks imposed a different type of learning that would affect education of all levels in the future.
In summation, Canada is a place where people came to prosper. In doing so, they were forced to learn how to conform, compromise and adapt. Throughout all of this, huge stepping-stones were made creating many important historical tales of our country.
Although Canada’s history is relatively peaceful, it is definitely revolutionary. Themes of dominance and union run though our story.
When the British first arrived, they wanted to exert authority over the Aboriginals; they automatically assumed their ways were the right ways compared to those of “savages.” Again, moving along in the timeline, the French and British butt heads, ending up with the creation of Upper and Lower Canada. This power was not only sought for between different cultural groups. Within both the French and British communities, there were elites – whether that is the Family Compact or the Chateau Clique. In addition, with the creation of the school system, and improvements and solidification of the judiciary system, we can see people wanting to be able to control others. This need for dominance seems to stem from the fear of the unknown and a lack of understanding.
Even though it appears the majority of Canadian history is an on-going battle to fight for your own culture, there are times where we see unity between different groups. In the fur trade, to an extent, both the British and Indigenous peoples mixed cultures. They adopted traditional ceremonies and customs, such as clothes and gift trading. In the later part of the course so far, we began to see coalitions within government between the Canada East and Canada West; furthermore, last day we saw the joining of the Canada’s and other BNA colonies with the Maritimes in a hope for confederation.
We see Canadian history move from an extremely individualistic and authoritative way of life, to one that somewhat incorporates thoughts and ideas of different cultures. Although, at this point in the course, we still have a long way to go to reach what Canadians now would call a multicultural country.
Canada is first defined by a long history of multiculturalism. Or rather, a long history of battle for dominance, ultimately ending in multiculturalism. It began with the fur trading, between Aboriginal peoples and Europeans (French, British, Spanish), and then European settlers. It continued with the recognition and eventually acceptation of different cultures within a same country by establishing Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Then came Americans.
However, if this multiculturalism is seen with pride, it must not be forgotten that it was sometimes source of violence and will to subdue assert domination, before it was eventually accepted. Indeed, if the relations between fur traders and Aboriginal peoples were initially pacific for the most part, with mutual understanding and respect, it changed when British settlers came and took over Native lands. Similarly, compromises between French Canadians and English Canadians took time, and the situation in this respect is still arguably tense to this day. The same happened with Americans.
Canada is a multicultural country with people from all different cultures, races and beliefs living peacefully and harmoniously. However, it was not always this way. It has taken centuries of history for people to learn from their past and improve relationships and the way their society cooperates. Canada had originally been inhabited by the first nations peoples. Eventually European voyagers came to Canada with original intentions of just discovery. Gradually they found a opportunity from profiting in the fur trade. The fur trade benefited both the aboriginals and the white settlers; they worked together to improve economically. Because white settlers knew that the indigenous groups had more knowledge about this new found land, the Europeans found common grounds for them to communicate upon to allow their profits to grow in terms of the fur trade. They learned the aboriginal traditions such as, gift giving and smoking of the peace pipe. However, eventually Europeans tried to push their white settler culture upon aboriginals and relationships began to fall apart as the fur trade was coming to an end. White settlers wanted to establish permanent settlements in different parts of Canada, taking away land from the first nations.
The British and the French began conquering different parts of the land and claiming it for themselves. With the arrival of the French, hostility not only grew between the aboriginals, but also towards the francophones now residing in Canada. The central parts of Canada decided to split into Upper and Lower Canada to accommodate for the disagreeing beliefs and values of the French and the English. The French were Catholic, believed in the preservation of the French language and preferred the seigneurial land systems, where as the English were mainly Protestant, were not for the preservation of French and preferred the feudal land tenure system.
Due to politics and government disputes on terms of different views of how the government should be structured and run, Canada then parted into East and West Canada. The government of Canada as a whole began to divide into different political parties, such as the Tories and the Loyalists. Eventually these two parties became, what we now know today as, the Conservatives and the Liberals.
Even though Canada is still considered one of the most multicultural countries in the world, it still arguably has its individuals in its society living with differences. And the disputes over government matters still exist, but the country as a whole has come a long way from when it first began.
The answer I gave for this question has not changed much from the first journal entry. Canada is still a multicultural country that has a rich background from cultures all over the world. But looking at Canada historically is not as bright an image. The creation of Canada was not as smooth and bloodless as we like to think, as there were wars and invasions that went on as different groups of people fought for land. On the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, the French fought the British for the right to control this piece of land, and the natives fought and invaded settlers for the right to their homes. For a country that is today known for being multicultural, we have many disputes in our history based on which groups of people would rule over the others. But to say that our past is defined by cultural disputes would be incorrect as well. Perhaps what defines Canada is the fact that we worked hard to overcome those boundaries, which is especially exhibited in the fur trade. The French and the British both had different ways of accommodating the natives, and learning how to interact with them is a very important part of our history. The colonies which made up Canada did not always get along with each other as well. During the Confederation talks, we see that the Maritime colonies did not want to join the Canadas at all, and Canada East and Canada West had very different values and traditions. All the Colonies had their separate opinions of how they wanted to be governed, and had different ideas of what suited them politically, socially and economically. But the colonies were able to work together and overcome those boundaries, which is really what defines Canada and our history.
Canada has evolved into what it is today through many trials and tribulations. It was at first occupied by many nations, the people inhabited it as a series of territories, then its identity was founded on another country and ruler’s ideology. It moved through this time, developing a sense of nationhood and identity that would bring it equal to the countries that had first ruled over it. Canada’s history has not been without violence or cruelty, but then no country could claim that. Defining Canada now is a desire not only to be home to many cultures, but to earn the right to called multicultural; through the acceptance, understanding and equality that each culture should be afforded. This is itself a hard task, a task many countries choose not to taken on because government and law will always demand dominance over someone, even if it means limiting the rights of people to ensure control. However from what I have learnt of Canada’s history so far, there seems to be few times in its past when there has not been a person willing to struggle for better.
Throughout the first half of this course, I have come to understand that Canada is a nation of inherent progression. Such can be seen throughout Canadian history, from the initial occupation of Canadian territory by the aboriginals, to the landing of the French and British who sough to make our present day state a colony under their colonial rule, through the economic rise of the fur trade enterprise that saw the emergence of the Northwestern Tradition Company and the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company. These enterprises gave rise to prosperity that lead to intercultural connections and relations, and the larger implementation of a governance in North America. With the rise of America to the south, and the subsequent revolutions and ward that sparked to life among emerging and stable state alike, Canada was holding on for the ride, and experiencing changes of its own internally, while being influenced by external sources. Thus, the emergence of British North America, along with influxes of population that was variant and diverse, and the multiple peaceful and reformist stages in Canadian politics ultimately led to the Confederation of Canada, where the widely-scattered BNA colonies were brought together under a mutual desire for strength and protection as a coherent whole.
aviaah, 
ecopeland, 
chliane, and 6 others are discussing.
liorbarel 6:34 pm on November 11, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is a country with a very similar history to the U.S. (at least up until the American Revolution). Canada began with an indigenous population, made up of the “people who turned left” and the “people who turned right.” After a while, a new population – the Europeans – came into the picture, sailing towards Canada while looking for “God, glory, gold” i.e. to spread Christianity and become famous and wealthy. When these two populations interacted, it was sometimes peaceful (when they could figure out how to make compromises over the land that they were both trying to have access to, albeit in different ways), and sometimes violent (when a middle ground could not be found, and a battle over who would have resources and dominance ensued). Eventually, the Europeans, now Canadians, won this battle for dominance, and began to reify their culture – generally at the expense of First Nations cultures, but sometimes with regard to them – expanding the reaches of their government more and more into all people’s lives. A major shift in ideology came not when the idea of government expansion was questioned, but when the idea of who was in control of this government expansion was questioned. Were the people in charge of their government, or was the government (the rich) in charge of its people? This questioning led to the rebellions of 1837-1838 in Upper and Lower Canada, and eventually to the establishment of responsible/representative government in Canada in the 1840s. In the first half of this course, the ideology that people are responsible over each other, and therefore responsible over how society looks and functions, culminated in the materialization of government institutions like the police, public schools and penitentiaries.
tyler5 7:58 pm on November 19, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
There are a few storylines that seem to best describe the progression from early settlement to confederation within the nation of Canada. A storyline of that defines Canadian identity is that of escaping annexation by the USA. Throughout this early period of Canadian existence, there were often threats by the USA to take over parts, or all of Canada. Whether it be politically or militarily, Canadians can take pride and define themselves as successfully resisting this aggressive USA policy of manifest destiny. Next, one must consider the great importance multiculturalism has played in shaping Canada. The story has greatly developed from the first meetings between French explorers and indigenous First Nations. From early on, traders were forced to develop positive relationships that crossed cultural barriers, and eventually we saw the creation of a Metis Nation, as well as various treaties between European settlers and indigenous groups. Even during wars, the importance of multicultural cooperation was evident, through the value of Tecumseh’s aid during the War of 1812. Continuing on this trend, in a broader context, one can view Canada’s storyline as one of progression, and in my opinion, liberal progression. However, to say that the road has been free of controversy and steps in the wrong direction is an outright incorrect statement. This can be seen through the elimination of French as an official language of parliament, just prior to confederation. This in mind, it is more important to look at the positive liberal action taken by Canadians during this period, that created precedent, and in a way set the tone for liberal conventions that are most prevalent in modern day Canadian political, social, and economic society. Religious tolerance, liberal political change, and abolition of slavery are perfect examples. Furthermore, one can observe the loss of influence of the Chateau Clique and the Family Compact as further liberal progression. Also, rebellions in the name of progress showed that it was not in Canadian’s interests to accept what they believed to be as unfair. Responsible government is the ultimate prize achieved in this era. It embodies the goal of democracy, and it can be seen through Lord Elgin’s actions to make himself, as governor, accountable to the elected assembly. Canadians can look back on this era with extremely positive feelings. Canadians during this period set the stage worldwide for ideals of tolerance, multiculturalism, and liberal progression.
jpellegrino 7:11 pm on November 20, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is a place that is defined by three specific words; they are, diversity, isolation and uniformity. While these three words describe a world of approximately ten thousand years ago, they also parallel to Canada as a country. Canada can be seen as diverse because of the different ethnic groups that arrived here to settle from Europe. Even though this diversity is what makes our country unique today, it was not always a place of equality. Isolation often erupted from this dominating diversity. More importantly, what stands out most, as defining Canada, is the way in which the people of this country were at continuous states of contentment and revolution. For example, The Great Peace would substantiate as the contentment and The Seven Years War would display the revolution. These alternating states are what represent the isolation between different cultural groups in Canada. The people were in constant search of a stable government who would look out for the best interest of them. Achieving responsible government in 1848 is one aspect of history that demonstrates the uniformity in Canada.
A significant piece of history that deserves a substantial amount of recognition is the fur trade. The industry not only brought positivity to the country but also negative aspects as well, further creating an alternating state of contentment and revolution. From the emergence of the fur trade, the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company, created the Métis nation. This was an historical influence for First Nations people.
Finally, one of the most essential parts of Canadian history to remember is the areas that regard Educational Reform. Similarly to present educational institutions, the formation and significance of school architecture influenced the way people would be taught and the way they would learn for years to come. For example, a fenced school, fixed seating and the obedience to the school bell are all factors of education still used presently. The use of standardized textbooks imposed a different type of learning that would affect education of all levels in the future.
In summation, Canada is a place where people came to prosper. In doing so, they were forced to learn how to conform, compromise and adapt. Throughout all of this, huge stepping-stones were made creating many important historical tales of our country.
tazizi 5:13 pm on November 21, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Although Canada’s history is relatively peaceful, it is definitely revolutionary. Themes of dominance and union run though our story.
When the British first arrived, they wanted to exert authority over the Aboriginals; they automatically assumed their ways were the right ways compared to those of “savages.” Again, moving along in the timeline, the French and British butt heads, ending up with the creation of Upper and Lower Canada. This power was not only sought for between different cultural groups. Within both the French and British communities, there were elites – whether that is the Family Compact or the Chateau Clique. In addition, with the creation of the school system, and improvements and solidification of the judiciary system, we can see people wanting to be able to control others. This need for dominance seems to stem from the fear of the unknown and a lack of understanding.
Even though it appears the majority of Canadian history is an on-going battle to fight for your own culture, there are times where we see unity between different groups. In the fur trade, to an extent, both the British and Indigenous peoples mixed cultures. They adopted traditional ceremonies and customs, such as clothes and gift trading. In the later part of the course so far, we began to see coalitions within government between the Canada East and Canada West; furthermore, last day we saw the joining of the Canada’s and other BNA colonies with the Maritimes in a hope for confederation.
We see Canadian history move from an extremely individualistic and authoritative way of life, to one that somewhat incorporates thoughts and ideas of different cultures. Although, at this point in the course, we still have a long way to go to reach what Canadians now would call a multicultural country.
Vinciane Boisson 3:18 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is first defined by a long history of multiculturalism. Or rather, a long history of battle for dominance, ultimately ending in multiculturalism. It began with the fur trading, between Aboriginal peoples and Europeans (French, British, Spanish), and then European settlers. It continued with the recognition and eventually acceptation of different cultures within a same country by establishing Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Then came Americans.
However, if this multiculturalism is seen with pride, it must not be forgotten that it was sometimes source of violence and will to subdue assert domination, before it was eventually accepted. Indeed, if the relations between fur traders and Aboriginal peoples were initially pacific for the most part, with mutual understanding and respect, it changed when British settlers came and took over Native lands. Similarly, compromises between French Canadians and English Canadians took time, and the situation in this respect is still arguably tense to this day. The same happened with Americans.
doraleung 4:01 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is a multicultural country with people from all different cultures, races and beliefs living peacefully and harmoniously. However, it was not always this way. It has taken centuries of history for people to learn from their past and improve relationships and the way their society cooperates. Canada had originally been inhabited by the first nations peoples. Eventually European voyagers came to Canada with original intentions of just discovery. Gradually they found a opportunity from profiting in the fur trade. The fur trade benefited both the aboriginals and the white settlers; they worked together to improve economically. Because white settlers knew that the indigenous groups had more knowledge about this new found land, the Europeans found common grounds for them to communicate upon to allow their profits to grow in terms of the fur trade. They learned the aboriginal traditions such as, gift giving and smoking of the peace pipe. However, eventually Europeans tried to push their white settler culture upon aboriginals and relationships began to fall apart as the fur trade was coming to an end. White settlers wanted to establish permanent settlements in different parts of Canada, taking away land from the first nations.
The British and the French began conquering different parts of the land and claiming it for themselves. With the arrival of the French, hostility not only grew between the aboriginals, but also towards the francophones now residing in Canada. The central parts of Canada decided to split into Upper and Lower Canada to accommodate for the disagreeing beliefs and values of the French and the English. The French were Catholic, believed in the preservation of the French language and preferred the seigneurial land systems, where as the English were mainly Protestant, were not for the preservation of French and preferred the feudal land tenure system.
Due to politics and government disputes on terms of different views of how the government should be structured and run, Canada then parted into East and West Canada. The government of Canada as a whole began to divide into different political parties, such as the Tories and the Loyalists. Eventually these two parties became, what we now know today as, the Conservatives and the Liberals.
Even though Canada is still considered one of the most multicultural countries in the world, it still arguably has its individuals in its society living with differences. And the disputes over government matters still exist, but the country as a whole has come a long way from when it first began.
chliane 5:45 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The answer I gave for this question has not changed much from the first journal entry. Canada is still a multicultural country that has a rich background from cultures all over the world. But looking at Canada historically is not as bright an image. The creation of Canada was not as smooth and bloodless as we like to think, as there were wars and invasions that went on as different groups of people fought for land. On the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, the French fought the British for the right to control this piece of land, and the natives fought and invaded settlers for the right to their homes. For a country that is today known for being multicultural, we have many disputes in our history based on which groups of people would rule over the others. But to say that our past is defined by cultural disputes would be incorrect as well. Perhaps what defines Canada is the fact that we worked hard to overcome those boundaries, which is especially exhibited in the fur trade. The French and the British both had different ways of accommodating the natives, and learning how to interact with them is a very important part of our history. The colonies which made up Canada did not always get along with each other as well. During the Confederation talks, we see that the Maritime colonies did not want to join the Canadas at all, and Canada East and Canada West had very different values and traditions. All the Colonies had their separate opinions of how they wanted to be governed, and had different ideas of what suited them politically, socially and economically. But the colonies were able to work together and overcome those boundaries, which is really what defines Canada and our history.
ecopeland 5:55 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada has evolved into what it is today through many trials and tribulations. It was at first occupied by many nations, the people inhabited it as a series of territories, then its identity was founded on another country and ruler’s ideology. It moved through this time, developing a sense of nationhood and identity that would bring it equal to the countries that had first ruled over it. Canada’s history has not been without violence or cruelty, but then no country could claim that. Defining Canada now is a desire not only to be home to many cultures, but to earn the right to called multicultural; through the acceptance, understanding and equality that each culture should be afforded. This is itself a hard task, a task many countries choose not to taken on because government and law will always demand dominance over someone, even if it means limiting the rights of people to ensure control. However from what I have learnt of Canada’s history so far, there seems to be few times in its past when there has not been a person willing to struggle for better.
aviaah 6:17 pm on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Throughout the first half of this course, I have come to understand that Canada is a nation of inherent progression. Such can be seen throughout Canadian history, from the initial occupation of Canadian territory by the aboriginals, to the landing of the French and British who sough to make our present day state a colony under their colonial rule, through the economic rise of the fur trade enterprise that saw the emergence of the Northwestern Tradition Company and the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company. These enterprises gave rise to prosperity that lead to intercultural connections and relations, and the larger implementation of a governance in North America. With the rise of America to the south, and the subsequent revolutions and ward that sparked to life among emerging and stable state alike, Canada was holding on for the ride, and experiencing changes of its own internally, while being influenced by external sources. Thus, the emergence of British North America, along with influxes of population that was variant and diverse, and the multiple peaceful and reformist stages in Canadian politics ultimately led to the Confederation of Canada, where the widely-scattered BNA colonies were brought together under a mutual desire for strength and protection as a coherent whole.