This week in history we are discussing our final topic in the unit of the development of the west. For this week's response select one of the following questions and respond to it.
What would you argue were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west?
OR
Why do you think there are controverisal issues related to immigration?
OR
Why did immigrants come to Canada West?
I adamantly believe that the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west are: the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the creation of the North West Mounted Police, and the abundance of farmland in the west.
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) is the first factor that contributed to the settlement in the west. First, the CPR was one of the key reasons why Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia joined Canada. This led to the settlements in the west because these provinces needed farmers and settlers to occupy their cities and land. The CPR was also a quicker way of travel within the nation. Since traveling by train was a lot quicker than traveling by other methods (i.e. horse & carriage), citizens in the eastern part of Canada were more eager settling west, as the west became more accessible by train, rather than spend days on horse-back to get there.
The North West Mounted Police (NWMP) also influenced the settlement in the west. At that time, many acts and incidents of lawlessness occurred in the west. American traders were selling whiskey and ammunition to the First Nations people, thieving (especially horse-theft) transpired on a daily basis, and even acts of killing were occasional as well. Seeing that this demoralized people wanting to settle west, the Canadian government ordered to establish the NWMP to eradicate the whiskey trade, capture and detain criminals, and help settlers adapt in the west. Without the NWMP, settlers would have never wanted to move west.
Lastly, there was plenty of good farmland in the west. This was, in my opinion, the most important reason why Canada was interested in the west. Because good farmland was becoming scarce, Canada saw the west as a perfect opportunity to harvest resources and develop the nation further. Without the west’s excellent farmland, the majority of settlers there would not be able to live off the land, and Canada would probably not have taken interest into expanding and settling further in the west.
This is why I resolutely presume that the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, creation of the North West Mounted Police, and abundance of good farmland greatly contributed to the settlement in the west.
Why did immigrants come to Canada West?
ReplyDeleteI believe that Immigrants came to Canada West to start a new life and for new opportunities.
1. The Dominion Lands Act encouraged immigration. New settlers had to pay a ten dollar fee, but then they only had to live on their land for three years before being able to call it their own.
2. The North West Mounted Police established law and order in the west making it safe for settlers to move their and raise their families.
3. The government signed agreements with the Indians setting up land reserves for them to live on. Once these land reserves were set up, large amounts of land was available for settlers to live on.
4. The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed which meant that it was much easier and faster to travel west. It also meant that food items and household goods could be transported to the west for the settlers and the farming crops could be transported from the west to the markets of the east.
5. Marquis wheat allowed for the wheat crops to grow quicker and be harvested faster which meant more trading opportunities, food for the home and money for the families.
6. Good farmlands in Ontario were becoming less and less because of the growing population. Good farmlands in the west were still available which encouraged settlers to come west for "The Last Best West!".
These are the reasons and my thoughts why people traveled to the west in hopes to start a new and successful life!
Question 1:
ReplyDeleteWith the construction of the Canadian pacific railway finished and the Chinese navvies getting paid a dollar a day they couldn’t afford to get a buy a ticket for a ride on a ship so the Chinese navvies couldn’t get back home to China. So I can argue that the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west were the Canadian pacific railway, good farmland, the Marquis wheat, the first nations were in reserves, the Dominion land act of 1912 and because most of the Chinese navvies couldn’t go back to China after the construction of the Canadian Pacific railway because they couldn‘t afford the ship ride back to China.
With the treaty number 7 the first nations people were put in reserves so they couldn’t affect the immigration in the western part of Canada, more farm land became available so more families could settle in western Canada and the net outcome of marquis wheat would increase instead of first nations people doing nothing with the land. The marquis wheat was another one of the main factor’s which contributed to the settlement of the west is the marquis wheat that was growing mainly in the western part of Canada. The marquis wheat was introduced to Canada by Sir Charles Edward Saunders. The discovery of the Marquis wheat helped shape the identity of western Canada because the marquis wheat mainly gave the identity of Canada as the “bread basket.”
Around the late 1800’s and 1900’s western Canada started to put first nations in reserves which then in the west that started to clear up good farmland that wasn’t used by the first nations as farming grounds. The good farmland resulted in one of the main factors to the settlement of the western Canada because it opened a lot of job opportunities, it helped the economy become stronger in the job employment and the food net output for western Canada and Canada. The farmland usually came from the Dominion Lands Act which offered 160 acres of land for a $10 administrative fee but you would have to be 21 years old or older to be under the act. The good thing was you pay the $10 administrative fee and after three years if you don’t move to another place in eastern Canada you would own it in 3 years and all it costed was a $10 administrative fee but since it was only in the west it attracted a lot of settlers and immigrants which was a huge part of the development of western Canada
The biggest factor of the development of western Canada was the Canadian Pacific railway because the Chinese navvies mainly couldn’t go back to China because the ships to get back to China were so expensive because the Chinese navvies only got paid a dollar a day and the railway aloud immigrants from eastern Canada to immigrate to western Canada quicker than going by horse around the mountains to get to British Columbia but the railway made it quicker to travel through the mountains and you didn’t have to go around the mountains. The railway aloud more people at once to immigrate to western Canada so the could get more money and 160 acres of land. These were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west.
By: Keith
Excellent posts! Great detail and specific examples.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you argue were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west?
ReplyDeleteThe main factors that I believe contributed to the settlement of the west were the building of the CPR, the NWMP, the Numbered Treaties, and the National Policy.
The CPR was probably the biggest factor to settling the west. This railway helped the economy out west and it also provided protection to those living out west in case Canada’s neighbor the USA decided they wanted to start annexing Canadian western territory.
The creation of the NWMP was also an important factor in the settling of the west. Before the NWMP was created the west was lawless. Macdonald’s government finally made their decision to create a police force out west after an incident at Cypress Hill resulted in the death of 36 Nakota. The NWMP were created to maintain law and order in the west.
The Numbered Treaties helped ensure peace between the First Nations people and the settlers out west. These treaties granted land to First Nations people so that there would be no land disputes between First Nations and settlers.
The National Policy helped bring prosperity to those setting in the west. This policy that was instated by Sir John A. Macdonald helped raise the economy in the dominion of Canada, helped to create the construction of the CPR, and put protective tariffs on any goods coming into Canada. This meant that farmers and merchants in the west began to gain business rather than lose business like before when they were competing with other merchants and farmers in different countries such as the USA.
These are the main factors that I feel contributed to the settlement of the west. Once again these points are the CPR, the NWMP, the Numbered Treaties, and the National policy.
What would you argue were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west?
ReplyDeleteI strongly argue that the main reasons why the settlement flourished in Western Canada are for the following reasons.
1. Dominion land act- where the Canadians encouraged immigration to Canada west. The registration for the land was only $10. But if they stayed on the land for 3 years it was theirs.
2. North West Mounted Police- these were the men who kept all the law, order as well as safety to the people in the west. This would make it very safe for settlers to live in the west.
3. Treaties- in the west many treaties or agreements between the first nations and Canadian government, were the government moved the Natives to the reserves.
4. Canadian Pacific Railway- So people could travel and goods could move from the West to the East.
5. Marquis Wheat- was the discovery of wheat that could grow in 115 days and could survive the winter which gave Canada the name the world’s bread basket.
6. The Last Best West- was the good farm land near transportation routes.
7. Another big player who contributed to the settlement of the west was Clifford Shifton- he was the government minister in charge of immigration. He sent out many advertisements in the news paper. He sent out 6000 newspapers to the USA and Europe. He also gave free guided tours to the American journalists. So that they could see the fertile land for themselves. He was very successful with the advertisement campaign. Soon after governments encouraged people to settle in the west. Clifford was the reason why almost thousands of people settled in Canada every month.
Response to Joshua’s Answer:
ReplyDeleteOverall, I agree with your answer and the proof your provided with each point your gave, but I adamantly believe that there are more significant factors that contributed to the settlement of the west. Of your three points the only two I support 100% are the National Policy and the Canadian Pacific Railway. I like how you stated, “The CPR was probably the biggest factor to settling the west.” However, is I disagree with the other half of your proof, “This railway helped the economy out west and it also provided protection to those living out west in case Canada’s neighbour the USA decided they wanted to start annexing Canadian western territory.” Sure, the railway helped with the transport of troops and goods, but the people who would be the first to stop to the United States, if they were to invade the country would have been the North West Mounted Police. Your second factor was the Numbered Treaties. These treaties were specifically designed to help First Nations people, not European settlers, therefore not really settling the west just relocating First Nations to reserves. Finally, you said that National Policy was a factor in settling the west and I absolutely agree! The political leader was very influential and if they did not support settling the west, it would probably not happen. A large component of John A MacDonald’s Nation Policy was the settlement of the west and with his and the conservatives support the job could be done much more efficiently and effectively. In conclusion, I agree with all your factors but, I adamantly believe there was a stronger option for your second point.
Question: What would you argue were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the west?
ReplyDeleteAnswer:
I would stubbornly argue the main factors in settling the west were the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), John A MacDonald’s National Policy and the creation of the North West Mounted Police. The Canadian Pacific Railway in my unbiased opinion was the most significant factor in the settlement of the west. Without the CPR, the thought of an agonizingly long journey across Canada in the bitter cold with all their possessions would not have appealed to settlers. The Canadian Pacific Railway provided a comfortable way for settlers to move west, where there were acres and acres of farmland ready to be put to use. Moreover, the institution of the North West Mounted Police really would have given the settlers a sense of comfort and safety in their new home. Before the NWMP were in the west liquor traders from the south wreaked havoc and there were ever deaths. No settlers would have wanted to move before the threat was gone. Furthermore, John A MacDonald fully supported the settlement of the west. In the National policy he said that he planned to support immigrants settle in the west. A countries political leader was very influential and if he did not support something it made it a great deal harder to accomplish. In conclusion I unwaveringly believe that the three main factors in settling the west were the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), John A MacDonald’s National Policy and the creation of the North West Mounted Police.
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ReplyDeleteWhy did immigrants come to Canada West?
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that immigrants came to Canada West for many reasons. The first reason why I believe that immigrants came to Canada is because of the vast amount of free land. Western Canada had an abundance of farmland. As well, Canada was giving away “free land.” 65 hectares of land offered by Sifton’s homestead system, with only a $10 registration fee, was definitely a pull factor for immigrants. In many countries around the world, land was highly taxed; therefore it was harder for lower class families to afford it. This is one of the many reasons why I believe that immigrants came to Canada West.
Another reason why I adamantly believe that immigrants came to Canada is because of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The CPR allowed settlers to travel to West much easier and faster. As well, crops from the West could be transported by railway to the markets of Eastern Canada. Moreover, the CPR created jobs in Canada just like the industrial revolution did. This is definitely a pull factor for immigrants to come to Canada West.
The third reason why I obstinately agree that immigrants came to settle in Canada West was because Canada was so multicultural. People from different backgrounds and religions lived in Canada. This was a pull factor for immigrants. Also, in many countries, religious prosecution was very popular. An example is Russia. This was a push factor for people living in these countries.
As you can see, there are many reasons why immigrants came to Canada West. There was an abundance of free land, the CPR, and the fact that Canada was extremely multicultural are just some of the many pull factors that brought immigrants to Canada.
Question #3.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous issues that I would argue were the main factors that contributed to the settlement of the West. One was the Canadian Pacific Railway because it was the most monumental factor in the settlement of the West. Lacking the CPR would have been devastating due to the consideration of the settlers roaming across the sea in the treacherous weather conditions would not have been an attractive journey to settlers. The CPR was by far more pleasing for the settlers heading west, benefiting them with a generous amount of land to settle on which could be put to beneficial use.
Second, Sir. John A MacDonald undeniably supported the settlement of the west. He stated in the National Policy that he had planned to support immigrants who are settling in the west. If John. A MacDonald didn’t completely and utterly support immigrants settling in the west, it would just make duties harder to achieve.
Third, the North West Mounted Police would have let the settlers going to the West feel more safe and comfortable, especially after all the incidents in the west such as the Americans selling whiskey and ammunition to the First Nations people. Also, after all the stealing going on (primarily the horse theft) no one was desired to move to the west unless the NWMP stepped in enforced and maintained law and order. Without the NWMP no settlers would have moved to the west, although they were eager to before the crimes, it was essential to enforce the laws in the west in order to be safe and secure.
In conclusion, I entirely agree the three main factors in the settlement of the west were the CPR, the National Policy, and the NWMP.
<3
Why did immigrants come to Canada West?
ReplyDeleteI believe that there was more than one factor that contributed to the immigration to Canada west. The first being the very generous offer put out by the Canadian government. That deal being that if you immigrated to Canada there was a rather good chance that you would get free land to start a farm and the west was officially open so you could start a business in Canada west. I also believe that the NWMP had also a large pull factor to it. The fact that they had law and order is a big thing. It provided a safe community that was at times, not excisable because of the looming shadow of world war one. Next there was the spur of the industrial era. The industrial era created the shift from the farms to the factories. This created more jobs and better pay. Because of all of these factors there were many immigrants coming to Canada.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why immigrants came to Canada. I am going to bring out a few main reasons why.
ReplyDeleteThe CPR was one big one. This is because back then it was hard to get around and the Canadian Pacific Railway would indeed help those who needed a way of transportation, and they would not have to pay anything to use it.
Another point I am going to bring up is to start a better and easier life. This would be important because back then a lot of people had families (most with young children). In Canada their were not that many wars going on like their were in for example United States. So mainly to keep their families safe.
Those are two points why I think immigrants moved or would move to Canada.
(Emily B)
Why did immigrants come to Canada?
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why i believe immigrants came to Canada. I, like Emily B, believe one of the main reasons is because of the railway. This is because the railway was a faster way of shipments through Canada, and was also a cheaper way of shipping. The railway was also a much faster at travelling in Canada, and was cheap to ride in it. So therefore the railway was a cheaper way of living with.
Another reason is because many immigrants were searching for a better way of life. In some other countries there could be wars going on as Canada did not have any. Saying this Canada was also a safer place to live if you have a family, or even if you do not. It is also because in places like Europe, you could not live with much freedom, because of the government. But in Canada you could live with much freedom, and enjoy it much more.
These are just few of the many reasons why i believe that immigrants came to Canada.
Question:
ReplyDeleteWhy did immigrants come to Canada West?
Answer:
There are many factors of which pulled immigrants to Canada West and some of which probably were personal reasons for the family and their situation but there were also a few general reason that would have made Canada West more desirable to immigrants. I am going to state a few of the main pull factors of Canada West but please note that their are still several others that would welcome much more people to this area.
One pull factor that would make Canada West appeal to the immigrants is that it's a good way to start a fresh new life. In Canada west the Canadian government was giving 160 acres free for the immigrants to get started on their new life and have a free life not controlled by the government from their home town/country. In Canada West their is also much more land for crops and farming so you could probable have much more land for farming in Canada West then in an old popular and high populated area.
Canada West will not force young men to join the army and go to war. If the family had an older son or a young father then in America they may be forced to join the American forces but in Canada West they will have the choice and not be force to go to war against their will.
One last factor that i will state is that their were much more job opportunities in Canada West. In Canada West the women and men both had job opportunities and had much better working conditions and payment then in other areas.
As you can tell Canada West was a better area to live compared to others at this time, which made it that much more desirable.
3. Immigrants came to Canada West for many reasons, the main one being that they were searching for a better life.
ReplyDeleteOften in their home countries (in the case of Asian or European immigrants), the government controlled their way of life. In some places, they were not allowed freedom of worship, there were no jobs (and the jobs that they did have paid very little) and many were poor and could barely survive.
In Canada, people were worried about the low population in the West. They realized that if they wanted to bring up their numbers, they had to allow people to immigrate and settle the west. They opened up their country to foreigners and promised them forty acres of land to settle. The Canadian government also, with the development of the CP Railway, offered jobs to new settlers. For the immigrants, this was a tremendous opportunity. They would be able to come to Canada and build a new life there. Some immigrants hoped to start up new businesses and send money back to their family at home.
As well as the immigrants from Europe and Asia, there were many people coming from America. Since all the land in America was taken, the “Last Best West” was high in demand. Moreover, the advances of farming techniques and the newly discovered strain of wheat served as an added bonus.
In conclusion, immigrants came to Canada West for many reasons. In many cases, they were poor and barely made enough to survive. The living conditions there were bad and as a result, they looked to Canada West for a better life. They were motivated by the advances in technology and the land grants that were given to them.
(Alisha)
Why did immigrants come to Canada West?
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe immigrants came to Canada for these reasons: farm land offered, jobs, the CPR, and safety.
1. If you come to Canada you get 160 acres of free farmland (even if you pay $1o registration fee and wait 3 years for the land to be yours, it’s still a good deal). In other countries they got a small amount of farmland and that was heavily taxed. Marquis Wheat is cheap, fast maturing, and high yielding so immigrants can get top dollar for their crops. Farmers can transport their goods to the market fast with the CPR. If immigrants don’t like farming there are lots of trees around therefore immigrants can be a lumberjack instead.
2. If immigrants don’t want to farm or lumberjack, factories are popping up everywhere so they don’t have too. Canada is entering the industrialization age therefore immigrants can work in factories. The owners hire everyone and you don’t have to have experience to join.
3. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) replaced older methods of transportation (i.e. horses, boats, walking). The CPR can transport goods to the market quick and efficiently. The CPR can transport people all across the great nation. In the winter water transportation doesn’t work therefore the cozy and warm CPR would be the next choice.
4. The NWMP keep Canada safe, Maintain order. The First Nations are moved on too reserves therefore more land is freed up and First Nations won’t harass settlers. In other countries there is war going on.