Timeline of Canadian Nationalism

Confederation

Canada became an independent country on July 1,1867

The four original provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) unified for several reasons:

• To break up political deadlock--Ontario and Quebec had to work together with similar political power, and could not agree to pass laws
• Financial incentives (removing trade barriers, building railways, etc.)
• Fear of being attacked by the United States

Even after Confederation, most English-speaking Canadians considered themselves to be British, not Canadians.

The official Canadian flag after Confederation

Canada from 1867 to 1914

In the 1870's and 80's, Canada's size grew rapidly, quickly adding BC, PEI, and Manitoba. The Northwest Territories were bought from the Hudson's Bay Company at the same time.

Canada needed to fill this expansive territory with people in order to keep the land. Canada needed to attract immigrants, so the Minister of the Interior, Clifford Sifton, came up with a plan.

Sifton advertised in America and the United Kingdom to attract English-speaking immigrants. Central and Eastern Europeans were also encouraged to move due to their ability to work hard and endure terrible conditions

"I think a stalwart peasant in sheep-skin coat, born on the soil, whose forefathers have been farmers for ten generations, with a stout wife and a half dozen children, is good quality."

-Clifford Sifton

World War I (1914 - 1918)

Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge was the name given to a piece of high ground occupied by German forces. Both the British and French had tried to take Vimy but failed, suffering high casualties. Frustrated, Allied commanders assigned the task of taking Vimy to Canadians, led by General Arthur Currie.

What's the big deal about Vimy Ridge?

• It's seen as a starting point for Canadian nationalism
• It's the first time a Canadian general led Canadian troops that were serving under the Canadian flag to victory
• It showed Canadians that Canada could achieve greatness on its own instead of playing a support role to the United Kingdom

• This is the legislation that allowed Canada to work directly with other countries without having to go through the British parliament.
• Although we do not become fully independent until 1982, this is step towards sovereignty.

• Just like in WWI, we need soldiers to replace the injured and fallen.
• Just like in WWI, there aren't enough men volunteering.
• Just like in WWI, the country is divided on language lines on whether or not to enforce conscription.

• Eventually, conscription is brought in towards the end of the war
• Because the Prime Minister delayed conscription for as long as he could, he did not suffer as much political damage.

• Starting in the 1950’s with the “Quiet Revolution”, Quebec began to have a growing sense of nationalism and independence.
• This reached its peak in 1970 with the October Crisis, when a politician was kidnapped and another was kidnapped and killed.
• In 1980 and 1995, there were referendums asking if Quebec should become independent. Both were narrowly defeated.

• In the 1970’s, Alberta was experiencing a boom due to the high price of oil. However, the rest of Canada was struggling.
• To combat this, PM Trudeau (in the Liberal Party) created the National Energy Program. Essentially, the federal government took a larger chunk of tax money, leaving less for the province and business owners.

Because of the NEP and falling oil prices in the 1980's, many businesses in Alberta went bankrupt. A recession hit Alberta.

Many people were angry at the federal government because:

• The federal government wasn’t supposed to take that money
• PM Trudeau was favoring people in Ontario, who voted for him, over Albertans, who didn’t.

Regionalization

• This is when a country is divided up into certain regions—the Prairies, the Maritimes, the North, etc.
• Regional loyalty is loyalty to your region.
• In Canada, certain regions are better off than others. In order for all Canadians to access services, equalization payments are given to the poorer provinces from the wealthy provinces.

Canadian Multiculturalism

Prior to WWII, multiculturalism was not promoted in Canada.

White, English speaking immigrants were preferred. Other ethic and cultural groups were actively discouraged from entering the country. (e.g: Chinese head tax)

However, attitudes toward immigration began to change in the mid 20th century.

In 1971, then-Prime Minister Pierre Eliot Trudeau announced that the Canadian government would follow a policy of bilingualism and multiculturalism.

Policy changes were enacted to allow more immigrants to enter the country.

In 1988, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act was passed. This:

• Recognized the role all cultural groups have in building Canadian society
• Ensured all Canadians equal rights and opportunities
• Ensured that languages other than English or French would be spoken
• Ensured the preservation of various cultures within Canada

The idea of "being Canadian" is currently very different than "being Canadian" 50-100 years ago.

As well, what it means to be Canadian depends on many factors--even if you're in Canada!

"Old" Canadian Culture

"New" Canadian Culture

WARNING: Profane language!

• During World War II, once again Canada joined in, playing key parts in the Normandy landings and in the freeing of Belgium and Holland
• By the end of the war, Canada had the 4th most powerful armed forces in the world

Conscription Crisis, Part II

Quebec Nationalism

Alberta Nationalism

Timeline of Canadian Nationalism

• When the United Kingdom declared war at the start of WWI, Canada was automatically at war, too.
• English Canadians enthusiastically supported the war effort, with hundreds of thousands of volunteers.
• French Canadians did NOT support the war, believing it to be a European problem.

The Statute of Westminster

WWI Conscription Crisis

• Eventually, Canadians stop volunteering for the army, simply because everyone that wants to volunteer already has.
• A vote is held asking the people's permission to allow the government of Canada to begin conscription (forcing men to join and fight in the army.
• A majority of English-speaking Canadians support conscription, but a majority of French-speaking Canadians do not support conscription. The vote passes and Canadians are drafted into war.
• Quebecois are unhappy. Even though they did not support the measure, it gets passed anyway. Francophone Canadians are concerned about their rights within Canada.