A permanent union of political units for common action. Usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution, confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues (such as defense, foreign affairs, or a common currency), with the central government being required to provide support for all members.
100
Name one pro OR con of joining Confederation.
Answers will vary. See Pros and Cons of Confederation Worksheet.
100
What factors needed to be considered before constructing the railway?
Which towns should it run through? Where are the natural resources (i.e. best farmland)? Which route will be the shortest and cheapest (require the least amount of materials)? What geographical features pose an obstacle?
200
On what date did the Confederation of Canada occur?
July 1st (Canada Day!)
200
Who was John A Macdonald’s French partner in initiating Confederation?
George-Etienne Cartier
200
Define the term bilingualism.
The ability to speak two languages fluently; a government-supported program encouraging all citizens to acquire a knowledge of both English and French.
200
Name one pro OR con of building the railway.
Answers will vary. See Pros and Cons of the Railway Worksheet.
200
What happened to cities that the railway did not pass through?
Many became ghost towns because people moved elsewhere.
300
When did Alberta become a part of Canada?
1905
300
What were the first four provinces to join Confederation?
Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.
300
What are the two official languages of Canada?
French and English
300
What concerns did the French have about joining Confederation?
They were worried that their culture, identity, language, and religion would be disregarded and lost.
300
What were the living and working conditions like for the railway workers?
Extremely poor. Railway workers risked accidents, disease, malnutrition, and death. They faced dangers like wild animals, sun-stroke, and bone-chilling winds.
400
What was the last province or territory to join Canada in 1999?
Nunavut
400
Who was left out of Confederation meetings? Why?
The First Nations, because they were not considered citizens of the new country. The colonists did not perceive them as important after the decline of the fur trade.
400
The official set of rules about how a country is governed is called ____________________.
a constitution
400
Would expansion Westward into Rupert's land be considered a pro or a con of Confederation? Explain.
Pro for colonists because they got to take over more land.
Con for the First Nations because their land was being taken over.
400
Why were the bison herds destroyed and who was most negatively impacted?
The bison were killed to prevent train delays. The First Nations were most negatively affected because they depended on the bison for many things including: food, clothing, and tools.
500
In the 1950s, the First Nations began a group that would become known as the ____________________________. They won the right to vote in provincial and federal elections in ______.
Assembly of First Nations, 1960
500
Did the First Nations people and colonists agree on land ownership? Why or why not?
No, the Europeans thought it could be owned, but this went against First Nations beliefs.
500
What city was chosen as Canada's capital? Why?
Ottawa, because it is located approximately halfway between Montreal and Toronto, providing a compromise between the French and English.
500
After Confederation, the federal government became in charge of defence, trade, and the railway. What did provincial governments maintain control of?
Schools and hospitals.
500
People had to build ______km of railway tracks across muskegs and through steep mountains.