Africville's Undesirable Developments: Black History in Nova Scotia Quiz

Questions and Answers

Early 1600s

On the south shore of the Bedford Basin, on the outskirts of Halifax

American Revolution and the War of 1812

Viewed as inferior, pushed to the margins of society, and forced to live on inhospitable land Signup and view all the answers

Stores, a school, a post office and the Seaview United Baptist Church Signup and view all the answers

sewage, access to clean water, and garbage disposal Signup and view all the answers

infectious disease hospital, prison, and dump Signup and view all the answers

claimed it would improve the standard of living for residents and wanted to build industry and infrastructure Signup and view all the answers

offered $500 or had their lands expropriated by the City Signup and view all the answers

Seaview United Baptist Church was bulldozed in the middle of the night Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Black people first arrived in Nova Scotia in the early 18th century, with some coming as slaves, others as free people.

Africville was a community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the southern shore of Bedford Basin.

Large groups of Black settlers arrived in Nova Scotia in the late 1700s and early 1800s, primarily due to the British promise of freedom and land to Black Loyalists who had fought on their side during the American Revolution.

Black settlers faced racism, discrimination, and economic hardship upon arriving in Nova Scotia, leading to limited job opportunities and social isolation.

Africville was a thriving community with its own school, church, and several businesses, including a general store, a barbershop, and a lumber mill.

Residents of Africville were denied access to basic city amenities, such as paved roads, garbage collection, and municipal water, by the City of Halifax.

The City of Halifax built undesirable developments in and around Africville, including a prison, a slaughterhouse, and a dump, which further degraded the living conditions of the residents.

The City of Halifax justified the relocation of Africville residents by claiming that the community was a "slum" and that the land was needed for industrial development.

Residents who could not prove ownership of their land in Africville were forcibly relocated, and their homes were demolished.

On the night of November 20, 1967, the City of Halifax demolished the last remaining structures in Africville, effectively erasing the community from existence.