Pop Quiz #3

Just posting this old quiz... for your enjoyment and edification.

Pop Quiz #3


1. What is metropolitanism? Provide an example from Canada’s colonial past and our present. (3)

2. How is the railway a tool of metropolitanism? (1)
3. Name three major colonial powers. (1)
4. How is the House of Commons an example of metropolitanism? (1)
5. Who are the Jesuits? When and why did they come to Canada? (3)

It's Coming....

Just a little reminder from a friend of mine...

Deadline approaching for family history project -- March 13, 2012

Pop Quiz #4

Here is the pop quiz from today's class. Learn it. Live it. Breathe it. The exam is coming...


1.What is the seigneurial system? How does it work? (2)

2.In what ways was the fur trade important to the development of Canada? In what ways did it shape the course of early Canadian history? (2)

3.What was the Royal Proclamation Act of 1763 and what did it do? (2)

4.What was the Quebec Act and what did it do? (2)

5.Who were the Loyalists? Identify and explain four ways that their arrival in Canada impacted and/or shaped the course of early Canadian history? (3)

The End of New France and a New Beginning

New France established metropolitanism through Quebec City, Montreal and ultimately Paris. The institution of the fur trade is a prime example of this. The beaver were trapped in the Great Lakes area, skinned and then the remaining pelts were brought to Montreal and Quebec City and traded for various items. The pelts were then loaded on ships and taken back to France where they would be made into hats and coats, adding value and meeting a growing demand for such items.

However, the fur trade is more than just an example of metropolitanism. It is also the first example in Canada of another theme -- the staple theory. Harold Innes wrote about this theory as the foundation of Canada's emerging role in the world economy as meeting the demands for raw materials or "staple" goods internationally. To a great extent, the staple theory holds true for Canada's economy today when you consider that our top exports are still agricultural products, oil, natural gas, fish, lumber and the like.


The Role of the Fur Trade in the early development of European Canada

http://www.49thparallel.bham.ac.uk/back/issue13/fur.htm


Exploration, the Fur Trade and the Hudson's Bay Company

http://www.canadiana.ca/hbc/education/intro_e.html


Given the fact that Britain had outlasted France and Spain in the rush to colonize the New World, and the fur trade was declining due to the fall in the demand for fashionable products made from fur, "Quebec" as New France was now known, would move to a settlement culture. In the interests of growing the colony profitably, the British relied on the template of the Thirteen Colonies to the south, expecting that Montreal and Quebec would become centers of commerce and manufacturing. However, the capacity to do this was woefully weak given the fact that the French population that remained had no interest or skills in becoming merchants like the ones in Boston. They preferred to keep to themselves and continue farming along the banks of the St. Lawrence. British immigration to Quebec in the 1760's was limited and so the development Britain hoped for would not materialize. Ultimately, the real catalyst for economic change would depend on an influx of enterprising, industrious, and business-minded people -- namely, the United Empire Loyalists. But that would take until the time of the American Revolution; a long way off.

With the decline of the fur trade, the British were determined to moderize Quebec and make it as profitable as its American cousins to the south. The Royal Proclamation Act of 1763 was Britain's roadmap to this profitability. The act made the move from a staple society of the fur trade to the setttlement society of the future. First, it changed the borders of Quebec and limited the colony to a thin strip of land along the St. Lawrence. The hinterland of the Great Lakes was no longer part of Quebec. With no fur trade, it would not be needed and was more suitable for American colonial expansion. Secondly, it set the standard for property rights in Canada by officially recognizing two important principles:

• the land belonged to those who were occupying it (native peoples)










• purchase of property required fair compensation

These new conditions followed years later by the transfer of the western frontier from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Canadian government would culminate in the conflict which led to the Red River and Northwest rebellions.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/royal-proclamation-of-1763

In the meantime, the majority French population were frustrated by having a significant part of their livelihood (i.e. the fur trade) legislated away from them by the British in the interests of "modernization". As a consequence there was no enthusiasm for enterprise and the merchant trade. Combined with the relatively small numbers coming in from Britain, Quebec stumbled economically. The growing difficulties with the Thirteen Colonies and the unmistakable dominance of the French Catholic population, convinced those charged with administering Quebec on behalf of
Britain that something would have to be done to keep the French happy, otherwise they might join the American Revolution.

The solution to this problem was the Quebec Act. See the link below. It served to secure French Canadian support, but it also greatly offended the American colonists and is widely viewed as being one of the Intolerable Acts which pushed the colonists over the edge and started the War of Independence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Act

The French Presence and Colonial Canada

Today we discussed the roots of colonialism in Canada. Below you will find a summary of that material which could be part of a pop quiz.

French Colonialism

The conventionally agreed upon beginnings of a French presence in what becomes Canada, and indeed the name Canada itself begins with Jacques Cartier. The explorer claimed part of present day Canada for France in 1534. Cartier's voyages and his reports were critical in terms of convincing France to move forward and make New France, as it was eventually called a colonial priority.

Below is a story detailing a recent archaeological find documenting one of Cartier's settlements.



http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=edd7eac6-f566-4011-87d7-82becfc883a2&sponsor=


Settlement in New France was encouraged through the seigneurial system. As discussed, the system used the basic values of France's class society to create minor nobility (the seigneurs) who were responsible for getting tenants (habitants)to work their land. The habitants then paid the seigneurs a feudal homage. Although the fur trade and life in the centers drew a number of people, the large majority of colonists were farmers and the seigneurial system was the French government's way of promoting New France's growth.

http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/seigneurial-system


http://www.civilization.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/population/social-groups/

What could motivate European powers like France, Britain and Spain to pursue colonial property around the world?





To understand this, we need to examine the colonial paradigm...





The mother country (i.e. one of the three European powers) would find some useful good (i.e. the beaver in New France, spices in the Far East) that was otherwise unavailable or could be manufactured into a finished good that was in demand back home.


In this arrangement, the colony was a storehouse of sorts or supply line. The focus was entirely on the needs of the mother country, which created the demand and dictated the terms of all development. In this way, the mother country served as the center and the colony as the hinterland. We refer to this as metropolitanism.

The Metropolitan Thesis, also known as the Laurentian thesis, is one of the dominant schools in Canadian historical thought. The basic argument of the school states that the driving force in Canadian History has been the nation's metropolitan areas. These originally included Paris, London (after 1763), and finally Montreal and Toronto in the modern era. These metropolitan centers determined how Canada would be developed, how it would be governed, and how it would be settled.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Thesis

In metropolitanism, cities cast huge shadows of influence over other areas. We see concrete examples of this in many aspects of Canadian society. The means by which representation by population is exclusively used to fill the federal parliament centralizes power by giving the most populated areas the greatest influence.

See the chart in the link below. A careful examination of the chart shows that out of 308 seats in the House of Commons, Ontario gets 106 members and Quebec gets 75. In other words, 58% of the seats available in the federal parliament come from these two powerful provinces. This gives Ontario and Quebec what amounts to perpetual control of the national agenda.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Commons_of_Canada

The railway is also a symbol of metropolitan control, creating an east-west trade axis instead of a north-south one. In part, this occurs as a result of the split between the Thirteen Colonies and Britain. However, the net effect of the railway is to act as the backbone of metropolitan control of the west, as finished goods are produced in Ontario and shipped out to the frontier.


Cultural exchanges between peoples are also a part of colonization and native peoples soon found the "Black Robes" or Jesuits amongst them. These were representatives of the Catholic Church whose aim was to spread the word of God and compel religious conversion throughout the world. The Jesuits were extremely well educated and made relations with native peoples a priority based on their mission. However, other French influences made such relations a priority for other purposes.


Background of the Society of Jesus

http://www.jesuits.ca/about/our-founder


The Jesuit Order today in English Canada

http://www.jesuits.ca/about/mission-goals


Intermarriage between French and natives led to the Metis. This led to a blending of native culture with the addition of the French language and the Catholic faith. The reason that French Canadians identified with Louis Riel was because they saw Riel as a defender of French language rights and French education, which invariably took place in the Catholic church. Also, the French found themselves conquered by the English after 1760, and as such could identify with the Metis who felt conquered as well. By and large, the frustration French and native peoples felt was based on a changing economy and the move away from the fur trade and the staple culture.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?Params=A1ARTA0005259&PgNm=TCE

British Colonialism

The 1759 Conquest, which culminates in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham results in the fall of New France and the first of many transformational changes in North America.

See the link below and read about the Plains of Abraham and the context of this struggle during the French and Indian War.


http://bataille.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/en/



To understand why things were changing so much in North America, we need to consider several factors:

• Britain's complete dominance of North America after 1760





• The decline of the fur trade as a viable economic activity





• The changing nature of European settlement after 1760
  
  

Family history Work Period

Friday's work period will be in Room 227.

Family History Assignment

The following outlines the requirements for the personal history assignment you will begin now. The purpose of this study is to get you to immerse yourself in the process of writing history and experience firsthand the challenges faced by the historian. In doing so, you will be a better reader of history - as you will be able to examine historical writing with a more critical eye. Hopefully, you will also learn something more personal about the history of Canada through your family experience. Lastly, you will be introduced to some of the practical methods of historical research; another important aspect to being a discerning reader of history.


There are some general parameters to remember when doing this assignment:



use standard margins (don't change the page margins in Word)


use 12 point Times New Roman


text pages are typed, single spaced


use standard paper 8 1/2 x 11


the project is to be submitted in a duo tang folder (no three ring binders)


pictures and other items may be included by will NOT count as part of the page requirement as outlined below





The Assignment...


Overview


Family Tree


Personal History


Family Spotlight


Your Family History and Canada



Overview


This section should be about half a page long and should offer a synopsis of your family history. In this portion of the assignment you will discuss how many generations you were able to track, what you will be focusing on in your personal history, and who you will be spotlighting in your family and why.


Section Value - 10 marks (7 marks for the written work, 3 for a relevant picture or family artifact such as a coat of arms)


Family History


This section should cover at least a page. You may choose to use a fold out page if 8 1/2 x 11 paper provides you insufficient space. This is your family tree. Have the most recent generation at the bottom of the page and work up from there. You will want to include everyone. Find an organizationally efficient and consistent manner for doing this. I have provided you with a few examples below to get you started. There are others available online.


http://genealogy.about.com/od/free_charts/ig/genealogy_charts/


http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/09/create-family-tree-charts-inside.html


Section Value - 25 marks (5 marks for neatness; 10 marks for effective and clear presentation of information; 10 marks for depth and breadth of research)




Personal History


This section will include your personal history. This is the first place where you are going to have to make some tough decisions about what you will include and what you will not have the space to write about. You should begin either at birth or over the nine months of your mother's pregnancy, whichever you prefer. You should end at present day - our entry into your current grade. This section may not exceed two pages and may not be less than one and a half pages.


Section Value - 35 marks (5 marks for spelling; 5 marks for organization; 20 marks for content; 5 marks for grammar)




Family Spotlight


This section features a selected member of your family whose story you are going to tell. You may want to focus on a particular momentous event that they were involved in or you may deem their full life story worthy of coverage. Although you have already stated why you have chosen to spotlight the individual selected in the overview, you are required to do it here again. However, this time your explanation should be in greater detail. Devote a short introductory paragraph at the outset to this task.


This section may not exceed two pages and may not be less than one and a half pages.


Section Value - 35 marks (5 marks for spelling; 5 marks for organization; 20 marks for content; 5 marks for grammar)




Your Family History and Canada


This section represents the closing of your project. It is not a summary, as the overview already provides a place for that. It is part reflection and part application. You are to reflect on what you have learned about your family history and apply it to help you make some sense of Canada's history. Think about how your family history fits into the Canadian experience and what you think Canada is about and what it stands for. What are the values that are inherent in our national thinking and how does your family experience fit into that? This section may be no longer than a page and no shorter than three quarters of a page.




Section Value - 20 marks (5 marks for spelling and grammar; 15 marks for content)


Total Value - 125 marks


Due Date - Tuesday, March 13, 2011 at the beginning of class


You will have two work periods in class in which you will have additional support from me. The dates are as follows - Friday, February 24 and Friday, March 2.



You will be graded on the following on those dates:


General Progress 10 marks


Work Ethic 10 marks




I am available to discuss this project outside of class if you make an appointment. Otherwise, the remainder of class time will be used for progressing with the course