Internal/Domestic Influences on Canadian Identity and Culture

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Modern Canada inherited much from the Loyalists, including a certain conservatism, a preference for “evolution” rather than “revolution” in matters of government, and tendencies towards a pluralistic and multicultural society.

Much fewer people lived outside the 13 colonies in North America than lived within. This was due to the wealth and fertility of those southern lands.

Loyalists were instrumental in establishing educational, religious, social and governmental institutions. As well as developing a culture still connected to the British Empire.

A feat that could not be achieved without the work of explorers and cartographers that came before.

In 1789 the North West Company began their own search for the pacific with Alexander Mackenzie at the helm of the expedition.

Served as an important hub of western exploration, travel and expansion.

The Hudson’s Bay Company had attempted to find a route to the pacific without much success to the disappointment of England.

He found politics static and dull. The opposite of the exploration he enjoyed.

With the success of his expedition and the success of the book he published, Alexander Mackenzie became an influential figure in Canadian society earning his chance at politics.

The rebellions were the inevitable result of an undemocratic, unworkable, and unmaintained colonial system. The imperial government cared little for the reform of the colonies.

This provided opportunity for self-reflection of the colonies and made it clear that political reform was necessary for colonial citizens.

In order to observe and report upon the growing instability in Upper and Lower Canada, lord durham travelled to these colonies. He advocated for more independence in the colonies from British parliament in his report.

Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine(Lower Canada) and Robert Baldwin(Upper Canada) peacefully fought for the same democratic ideals.

They worked around language barriers to bring democratic reform and self-government to the newly United Canada.

A large part of Canadian identity is reconciling all the wrongdoings towards indiginous peoples of Canada.

Stephen Harper issued the first official apology for residential schools on behalf of the government of Canada. The apology openly recognized that the assimilation policy on which the schools were established was "wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country."

Many native American communities today are out of touch with their cultural roots as a result of European intervention.

Upon forced assimilation and eventually leaving residential schools, students are left disoriented and alone. Unable to fit in either settler or indiginous society.

The consequences of residential schools can be seen today. Native Americans remember the abuse of their people and hence are opposed to the Canadian government.

Students were isolated and their culture was disparaged or scorned. They were forbidden from speaking their own native languages.

Only requires to swear an oath of loyalty to the king that made no mention of one’s religious affiliation.

This change was in stark contrast to the anti-catholicism measure imposed by British Parliament for 200 years prior.

Aimed to assimilate the French population of North America into British society, namely residents of Quebec, making the Act’s influence domestic in Canada. This was unacceptable in the eyes of the 13 colonies.

The Intolerable Acts were punitive measures put in place by the British parliament that provoked war with the 13 colonies.

Alexander Mackenzie serves in the parliament of lower Canada.

Display of competition in the North American fur trade industry.

1805 British explorer Simon Fraser founded the Rocky Mountain settlement of Fort McLeod as the region's first permanent white settlement.

Paved the way for more moderate reformists.

The Durham Report.

Democratic reform in the North American Colonies.

Identity Crisis among Residential School Students.

Lasting hostilities between Native Americans and European Settlers.

Closure of residential schools.

Start of Substantial Population in the region.

Political Independence.

Formation of Canadian politics.

Freedom of religion. Allowed French to freely practice Roman Catholicism.

The American Revolution. The revolutionaries considered the Quebec Act an Intolerable Act.

Both colonies benefited from political separation and the formation of individual legislative bodies.

Came from French fearing the loss of their rights as more and more English speaking loyalists settled the area.

This was a compromise that divided the province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada.

The Constitution Act 1791 followed the Quebec Act.

Internal/Domestic Influences on Canadian Identity and Culture

British Explorer Alexander Mackenzie Claims Pacific Coast of North America for England (1793)

The Quebec Act 1774

Influx of Loyalist Refugees from the American Revolution

Residential Schools (Open 1831)

Rebellions Against British Rule in Upper and Lower Canada (1837-1838)