Lesson # 9 & 10 ~ Canada and the World.pptx

Looking Back At the end of the 1800s, many Canadians believed that keeping a close connection to the British Empire was the best options for Canada. Others believed Canada should strengthen its ties with the United States. When Laurier was elected prime minister in 1896, Canadians we...

Looking Back At the end of the 1800s, many Canadians believed that keeping a close connection to the British Empire was the best options for Canada. Others believed Canada should strengthen its ties with the United States. When Laurier was elected prime minister in 1896, Canadians were still divided. During the late 1800s, Britain and other countries, such as Germany and the United States were pursuing a policy of imperialism. Imperialism is the act of acquiring and ruling over other countries by means of economic, cultural, or military means. Imperialism was the driven by discrimination and racism. Many people believed in the notion of a superior culture. These people strongly believed that non-European cultures would eventually disappear because they were seen as primitive and in need of European ideas and technology. How do you feel about imperialism? Explain why you think so. Our continued connection to Britain … Victory Day is a formal Canadian Holiday that is celebrated in May each year. Watch the following video, then respond to the question below. What is the significance of Victoria Day? Why do you think Canada continues to follow this celebration?  Looking Back Britain Calls Canada to War Throughout the 1800s, Britain was a dominant political power in the world. But some territories that Britain controlled were beginning to rebel. In 1899, Britain and the Boers (settlers of Dutch descent in southern Africa) began a war with one another. As this war raged on, the British needed allies to fight with them. The British asked Canada to help. Why was the Boer War so significant in history? How did this impact Canada’s involvement in other wars? Many Canadians who supported Britain were eager to join. They believed that Canada should adopt conscription. Conscription is the process where the government legally and forcibly enrols its citizens in the military. Fortunately, Laurier did not agree. He decided to ask for Canadian Volunteers to fight in the Boer War. This lead to approximately 7000 Canadians  Historical Significance Canadian Troops at War More than 7000 English Canadian, First Nations, and Metis men volunteered to serve in the Boer War. A small group of nurses also served. This was the first time a large group of Canadians left to fight overseas. The Canadian government outfitted and transported the volunteers to Southern Africa. Once there, the soldiers were under the control of the British Army. In 1908, Canada was called upon again to show its loyalty to the British Empire. The British government asked its dominions (partially self-governing nations such as Canada and Australia) to contribute money to build up its navy. Unlike Australia (who willing contributed to Britain's Navy), Canada refused. Instead, Laurier proposed that Canada builds its own Navy. How was Canada’s Navy created? Video 2:45 - 5:05  Looking Back Building a relationship with the United States In 1896, gold was discovered in the Klondike. The Klondike was an area in present-day Yukon, near the Alaskan border (which was part of the United States). What impact do you think this many travellers would In mid-August of 1896, an American prospector and two members of have on the natural the Tagish First Nation family discovered a large gold deposit at Rabbit environment? Creek in the Klondike. News of their discovery travelled quickly, bringing gold prospectors form around the world. A majority came from the United States. Reaching the gold deposit was a challenging journey, and most made the trip during the winter months. The North-West Mounted Police allowed only prospectors who had one year’s supply of food to cross into Canada. It was estimated that between 1897 and 1898, an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 prospectors travelled through Canada.  Historical Significance Environmental Consequences of the Gold Rush The Impact of the Gold Rush Affect First Nations The rush for gold did not occur until the fall of 1897 when it became sudden and overwhelming. At the beginning of 1896, only several thousand non-First Nation miners, traders and missionaries lived in the Yukon. Two years later, the territory was overrun with tens of thousands of newcomers. The federal government, concerned primarily with maximizing resources extraction, did little to ensure environmental protection. Explore “Environmental Consequences of the Gold Rush” above. Briefly explain how these environmental consequences impacted First Nations in the Yukon.  Alaska Boundary Claims and The Yukon Territory was formed in 1898 as a result of the gold Final Boundary, 1903 rush. In 1903, Canada and the United States decided it was time to settle a land dispute that began in 1867. Since Canada was a Dominion of Britain for so many years, it could not negotiate a settlement of the border on its own. As a result of this land dispute, Canada had a growing sense of nationalism. Canadians were seeking greater independence and control over its own affairs. Identify a few reasons why the Klondike Gold Rush was significant to Canada.