Impacts of Canada's Railway System on its population(Key question, *What impact did the railway system have on Chinese immigrants and/or indigenous communities? Connect this to Canada's legacy of colonialism. Think about the role exploitation and slavery
The development of Canada's railway system in the mid-1800s had profound impacts on both First Nations people and Chinese immigrants, reflecting the broader context of colonialism and exploitation.
Impacts of Canada's Railway System on its population(Key question, *What impact did the railway system have on Chinese immigrants and/or indigenous communities? Connect this to Canada's legacy of colonialism. Think about the role exploitation and slavery played in the formation of Canada as a nation.)
Connection to the legacy of Canadian colonialism(the role exploitation and slavery played in the formation of Canada as a nation.)
In the history of Canada, this nation was formed through colonialism the settlers were applying to the First Nations. The construction of the railway has demonstrated a clear connection to the legacy of Canadian colonialism. During the construction of the Canadian Railway, the government of Canada tricked the Chinese immigrants into thinking this was a good investment(you see this is similar to how the settlers tricked the First Nations into believing that the residential schools, were good for their kids). This act from the government of Canada to the Chinses community then led to further exploitation and slavery that was being applied during the construction of the Canadian railway which perfectly relates to what the settlers did to the First nations with the reserves and the language barrier used to sign unwanted agreements.
Impacts on First Nations people
During the mid-1800s the process by which the railway was being developed was to help grow the economic activities for farmers. This has impacted the First Nations community because, during this period, it is stated that the First Nations communities had successfully adopted European styles of agriculture. This ties to the identity piece that has been robbed from the First Nations people by colonialism displayed by the Canadian government.
As the railway was being built the demand for fertile land was desperately needed by land development companies. This land was not acknowledged by the government that it was owned by the missisagaus which has caused the land to be taken away unfairly and forcefully.
Impacts on Chinese immigrants
During the completion of the Canadian railway, many Chinese workers became unemployed and many returned to China according to the Asian Heritage Society. This impacted the Chinese community in Canada as the reason they even immigrated to Canada was to find a better life to sustain their families. This led the Chinese community to be exploited and enslaved for no personal/financial development but for the personal gain of the government of Canada.
