WHY DO EVENTS HAPPEN AND WHAT ARE THEIR IMPACTS? Cause & Consequence

Features of Cause and Consequence Change is driven by multiple causes leading to multiple consequences. The causes of some events are more influential than others. Unintended consequences are common as the historical actors (people, groups, and their actions) cannot always foresee the consequences of conditions, the opposing actions, and any unexpected reactions. The events of history were not inevitable. Any changes made to the sequence of events leading up to a given action can completely change the outcome.

Let’s go back to Gr.7-8 History! Group Brainstorm: Why Canada? What factors led to or CAUSED Confederation in 1867? Can you think of 6? Test your knowledge / retention

What textbooks will tell you: 1. Political deadlock United Provinces of Canada (East & West) in a deadlock between 4 parties so form a coalition 2. Railway Needed a railway to connect central Canada with East and West This promotes trade between colonies

What textbooks will tell you: 3. End of Reciprocity (free trade) with US (1865) High tariffs with US so colonies of BNA can combine & trade with each other, tariff free 4. Threat of war with the USA North wins American civil war, GBR supported South We’re connected with GBR so look out! Lots of American interest in West with Klondike MANIFEST DESTINY

What textbooks will tell you: 5. GBR want to get rid of Colonies Burden on GBR tax payer vs. benefits 6. Good farmland in the West (Prairies) Grab it before the Americans do

What’s the point here? Multiple causes In history nothing is black & white- it’s complex and requires analysis Also - multiple consequences. Brainstorm 3 consequences of becoming an independent country & 3 potential consequences if Manifest Destiny had happened

“Men make their own history, but… they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves.” Karl Marx

1. Which cause was the biggest? What was the most influential factor that led to Confederation? Why? 2. What consequences could you predict from Confederation? 3. What consequences could you not predict (unintended)? 4. Was Confederation an inevitable result of political, social, economic & cultural factors OR is it all thanks to John A and his old-white-guy-boys club? (societal factors vs. people) Some big questions we need to think of when looking at cause & consequence – Lets go back to our example…

We will discuss Cause and Consequence MANY times this semester. There are Short and Long term Causes for things and there are Short and Long term Consequences

Canadian foreign policy- Canada as a Middle power CRITICAL QUESTIONS: What does ‘Middle Power’ mean? What role should our government play in other countries’ affairs? What is our humanitarian responsibility? What about Syria & emerging conflicts? OVERALL: What are the CAUSES and CONSEQUENCES of our foreign policy?

Middle power is a term in the field of international relations that describes states that are not superpowers or great powers, but still have large or moderate influence and international recognition - From Wikipedia

Let’s look at Canada’s role in international conflict since emerging as a Middle Power. Complete the Cause and Consequence thinking activity.