The National Policy Chapter 9

After Confederation (after 1867) Canada’s 1 st Prime Minister was Conservative party leader, John A. MacDonald Canada’s 1 st Prime Minister was Conservative party leader, John A. MacDonald His first term as PM lasted till 1873, when he resigned due to a political scandal (yes, they had them then, too), and the Liberals won the next election. His first term as PM lasted till 1873, when he resigned due to a political scandal (yes, they had them then, too), and the Liberals won the next election.

Worldwide Depression But for the next four years, the Canadian economy really suffered because there was a depression all over the world But for the next four years, the Canadian economy really suffered because there was a depression all over the world This meant high unemployment, many businesses failing, and financial institutions losing the confidence of the people This meant high unemployment, many businesses failing, and financial institutions losing the confidence of the people In the election in 1878, MacDonald attacked the Liberals policy of low import tariffs In the election in 1878, MacDonald attacked the Liberals policy of low import tariffs

Election platform He felt that if there were high import tariffs, people would buy Canadian products, which would help our businesses and economy. He felt that if there were high import tariffs, people would buy Canadian products, which would help our businesses and economy. Business leaders really liked this Business leaders really liked this Also, the Liberals hadn’t built the railway that had been promised to BC if they joined Confederation. This kept them in fear of American expansionism (remember Manifest Destiny?) Also, the Liberals hadn’t built the railway that had been promised to BC if they joined Confederation. This kept them in fear of American expansionism (remember Manifest Destiny?)

National Policy-first initiative Protective tariffs against foreign goods Protective tariffs against foreign goods Highest tariffs were to be on manufactured goods, such as carriages, agricultural machinery, railway cars, and woolen clothing Highest tariffs were to be on manufactured goods, such as carriages, agricultural machinery, railway cars, and woolen clothing They were intended to protect the industries that were producing them in Canada They were intended to protect the industries that were producing them in Canada Lesser revenue tariffs were on other items not produced in Canada Lesser revenue tariffs were on other items not produced in Canada

National Policy-second initiative Building the Canadian Pacific Railway Building the Canadian Pacific Railway World markets for wheat, timber, and fish (staples) were disappearing World markets for wheat, timber, and fish (staples) were disappearing Exports fell by 20% in six years Exports fell by 20% in six years So many believed that the economy needed to diversify (include lots of other types of businesses) to survive So many believed that the economy needed to diversify (include lots of other types of businesses) to survive

So… Lands of the Canadian West were vulnerable to the Americans Lands of the Canadian West were vulnerable to the Americans Settlers didn’t want to go there Settlers didn’t want to go there Investors in the railway wanted to think that the railway would eventually pay for itself (needed to think businesses would use it to ship products and goods) Investors in the railway wanted to think that the railway would eventually pay for itself (needed to think businesses would use it to ship products and goods)

National Policy-third initiative Greater immigration and settlement in the West Greater immigration and settlement in the West To occupy lands so Americans wouldn’t focus on them To occupy lands so Americans wouldn’t focus on them

Summary of Purpose The National Policy was a means to produce growth in the Canadian economy using the 3 initiatives The National Policy was a means to produce growth in the Canadian economy using the 3 initiatives

The National Policy - Effects The National policy’s most immediate result was the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway The National policy’s most immediate result was the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway Creation of an industrial Heartland in Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec) that has existed for over 100 years Creation of an industrial Heartland in Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec) that has existed for over 100 years Canada was no longer Europe’s Hinterland Canada was no longer Europe’s Hinterland

Canadian Heartland and Hinterland The National policy created a Canadian Heartland, but also a Canadian Hinterland The National policy created a Canadian Heartland, but also a Canadian Hinterland The Maritimes and the West became that Hinterland The Maritimes and the West became that Hinterland

The Maritimes At the time (1878), Nova Scotia was expecting a great economic boom as the result of the National policy and it’s ice free harbour At the time (1878), Nova Scotia was expecting a great economic boom as the result of the National policy and it’s ice free harbour The Maritimes experienced prosperity, but it did not last The Maritimes experienced prosperity, but it did not last Many companies based in the Heartland cared only for profit - not the economic well being of the Maritimes Many companies based in the Heartland cared only for profit - not the economic well being of the Maritimes

The West Immigration in the West did not increase as expected, but eventually picked up Immigration in the West did not increase as expected, but eventually picked up The West took advantage of both the railway and federal subsidies for the wheat industry The West took advantage of both the railway and federal subsidies for the wheat industry Conflicts with the Aboriginal and Métis communities over Treaty rights caused great difficulty for all involved Conflicts with the Aboriginal and Métis communities over Treaty rights caused great difficulty for all involved

Effects of Industrialization: Working Conditions Work conditions were harsh with long days Work conditions were harsh with long days Failure to meet demands resulted in lost wages and even corporal punishment Failure to meet demands resulted in lost wages and even corporal punishment Lack of health and safety standards resulted in many injuries and spread of disease Lack of health and safety standards resulted in many injuries and spread of disease Many workers were often exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous working conditions Many workers were often exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous working conditions

Effects of Industrialization: Standard Of Living The standard of living at this time would cross between second and first world The standard of living at this time would cross between second and first world Many poor families Many poor families High infant mortality rates (IMRs) High infant mortality rates (IMRs) Poor access to healthcare for most Poor access to healthcare for most Lack of electricity, refrigeration and clean water Lack of electricity, refrigeration and clean water

Effects of Industrialization: Social Response Many of those in the middle- class took initiatives to help the poor Many of those in the middle- class took initiatives to help the poor This resulted in new hospitals, better health care, public sanitation, and useful legislation to promote the rights of workers This resulted in new hospitals, better health care, public sanitation, and useful legislation to promote the rights of workers

Effects of Industrialization: Response of Workers Workers in new industrial factories generally responded in one of two ways: Workers in new industrial factories generally responded in one of two ways: 1. Development of trade unions to fight for profit sharing, benefits, and better wages through strike action. 2. More radical approach was to join together to restructure capitalism.

Case Study 1. What is the National Policy? Why was it created? (fully explain) 2. How did the National Policy create a Canadian Heartland and Hinterland effect? Explain. 3. Please read chapter 9 on Canada’s National Policy of 1878 and record vocabulary words. 4. In an organizational chart (or Inspiration) show the effects of industrialization in Canadian society (see sample).

Sample chart for question 4 Working conditions Standard of Living Middle class Response Response of working Class