Self-Rule for British Colonies
Canada Originally inhabited by Native Americans & French colonists Became British colony due to French and Indian War ( ) Treaty of Paris; France loses northern territories French & British colonists lived amongst each other Conflict between French & British Roman Catholicism vs. Protestantism Language issues
Canada 1791, Canada is divided into Upper (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec); Didn’t work A British Royal governor and the British wealthy were in control. Early 1800’s= Middle class (Both colonies) demand political/economic reforms Late 1830’s= Rebellions break out in both areas. Canada becomes a dominion in Self-governing in domestic affairs Remained part of British Empire
Canada
Australia Claimed by James Cook in 1770 1788= Beginning of colonization Served as a penal colony Prisoners, once freed, bought land & settled Free British settlers joined in early 1800s Government encouraged immigration Offered cheap land 1851 Gold Rush= Pop. Increase 1901= Commonwealth of Australia created
Aborigines
Native inhabitants of Australia; Oldest culture in the world Lived in Australia 40,000 years before Europeans arrived. Nomads who fished, hunted, & gathered food. The Dreamtime Time before the world was formed in the way we know it today. World created by “creation ancestors” or “dreamtime heroes”. Strong connection & respect for nature.
Aborigines Characteristics of spirituality: 1) Animism: Belief that EVERYTHING is alive; energized by creation ancestors. 2) Ancestral spirits are part human (Emotions/Intellect); part animal (appearance); part super-human (Power/Creative abilities) 3) These beings journeyed across earth and created human, plant, and animal life. Evidence of these journeys is found in the natural features of the land. 4) Use of totems: natural objects, plants, or animals inherited by a family as their spiritual emblem. Define roles/responsibilities, and relationships with each other and creation.
New Zealand Colonization was gradual; British didn’t claim ownership Why?= Recognized rights of the Maori…at first 1814= Christian missionaries began to arrive to convert Maori Conflict arises between Maori & British settlers 1839= British appoint governor to negotiate with the Maori 1840= Maori accept British rule in exchange for land rights
The Maori
New Zealand = Series of wars between the British and Maori British victory; New Zealand Settlements Act (1863) Over 4 million acres of land taken from the Maori. 1907= New Zealand becomes a dominion of the British Empire Gradually will gain full independence.
Ireland British expansion into Ireland began in the 12 th century th centuries= Penal Laws Laws that limited rights of the Irish Irish excluded from holding public office; banned intermarriage between Catholics/Protestants; Couldn’t own firearms or vote 1801= Ireland formally added to British Empire Daniel O’Connell, Irish leader; 19 th century 1829= Catholic Emancipation Act Restored rights to Catholics
The Great Famine Irish relied on the potato for survival Almost their sole source of food. = Plant fungus ruined Ireland’s potato crop Pre-Famine pop.= 8 million During the Famine, over 1 million Irish starved to death. British government didn’t help; believed in laissez-faire economics. The Irish repulsed the British Due to their culture & poverty. Roman Catholic/Gaelic language Irish claim Famine= Genocide
British vs. Irish
The Great Famine Results