Canada’s Economy & Society From 1867-1914

Canada’s Westward Movement Nat’l government led by John Macdonald (Conservative Party) Eager to incorporate new western lands into the country Wanted to treat western Canada as colonies of Canada sent road surveying crew in 1869 into the region

Métis Descendants of Indians and French Trappers Happily separate from the rest of Canada Lived in present-day Manitoba along the Red River Valley Buffalo hunting and farming the river valley Roman Catholics Suspicious of government (with good reason)

Métis Response: Band of Métis Led by Louis Riel stopped crew and ordered them out of the area Formed National Committee Notified Ottawa that it would not recognize its control over area Would not allow lieutenant-governor to enter territory would use force if necessary

The Red River Rebellion Nov 1869 Riel seized prisoners Captured Upper Fort Garry Issued a “Declaration of the People” Announced provisional Red River Valley government Used prisoners and Ft. Garry for negotiations with Macdonald

Martyr Thomas Scott One prisoner: Thomas Scott was court martialed Found guilty without being given the right to speak Scott’s execution led to further anti-Métis and anti-Catholic feelings Also led to sympathy from French Québecois

Manitoba Act of 1870 Created Province of Manitoba Gave federal representation, provincial assembly, bilingualism, and the right to maintain French and English speaking schools Remainder of NW became territory of Canada Resented by Ontario citizens August 1870, Canadian troops moved into Manitoba Riel fled to US

Immigration & Reform US farmers attracted to region The 1872 Dominion Lands Act US farmers could sell land and buy cheap Canadian land Large number of Eastern European immigrants Immigration peaked 1905-1914

Education Reformers pushed for improved schooling Schooling would help end societal ills: Responsible for children of slum and ghetto dwellers More suitable than factories, or roaming the streets Learn skills to lift them from poverty Assimilate immigrant children into Canadian society Gained compulsory school attendance legislation in all provinces by 1914

Prohibition Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) Founded in 1874, 10,000 members by 1900 Helped grow women’s suffrage movement Goal of prohibition Believed this would rid Canada of its social problems: Crime Domestic violence Political corruption Immorality P.M. Laurier allowed national referendum on prohibition in 1898 WWI ended reform efforts

Midland 1880

Downtown Midland 1880

Midland Downtown Plan 1904

Midland Downtown Plan 1904