Indigenous Worldviews & Early Contact
How did Indigenous peoples traditionally view land ownership?
Land was viewed as sacred, shared, and communal, not privately owned.
What promise helped convince British Columbia to join Confederation?
Canada promised to pay BC’s debt and build a transcontinental railway.
What document gave Canada full control over its laws and foreign policy?
The Statute of Westminster (1931).
What triggered World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914.
What day marks Germany’s surrender in Europe?
VE Day.
What military alliance did Canada join in 1949?
NATO.
What was the main goal of residential schools?
To assimilate Indigenous children and erase Indigenous culture.
Why did early treaties in British Columbia lead to long-term disputes?
Indigenous peoples and colonial governments understood the treaties differently, especially about land ownership and use.
Why was the Cariboo Wagon Road built?
To move miners, supplies, and gold to Barkerville more easily
What did the King–Byng Affair show about Canada’s political independence?
The Governor General should not overrule an elected Prime Minister.
Why is Vimy Ridge important to Canadian identity?
All four Canadian divisions fought together and won a major battle, building pride.
Why is the Dieppe Raid remembered as significant despite being a failure?
The lessons learned helped plan the successful D-Day invasion.
Why did Canada join NATO?
To support collective defence against Soviet aggression.
What was the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
To collect survivor testimonies and issue Calls to Action.
Describe one positive and one negative impact of the fur trade on Indigenous peoples.
Positive: access to trade goods and alliances.
Negative: disease, overhunting, dependency, and cultural disruption.
How did the Fraser River or Cariboo Gold Rush affect Indigenous peoples?
It caused displacement, disease, conflict, and loss of land.
How did the Statute of Westminster strengthen Canadian autonomy?
It ended Britain’s authority over Canadian lawmaking and foreign policy.
How did the home front change during World War I?
Examples include rationing, women working, propaganda, Victory Bonds, censorship.
How did Canada’s declaration of war in 1939 show independence?
Canada declared war after its own parliamentary vote, not automatically with Britain.
Why did the National Energy Program cause Western alienation?
It reduced provincial control over energy and was seen as favouring Central Canada.
Why is Japanese Canadian internment considered an injustice?
Property and rights were taken without evidence or justification, causing long-term harm.
How did differing Indigenous and European views of land cause conflict during colonization?
Europeans viewed land as property to own, while Indigenous peoples viewed it as shared and sacred, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.
Why was fear of American expansion important in BC’s Confederation debate?
Leaders feared the United States might annex BC if it did not join Canada.
Why did some Canadians support autonomy while others wanted strong ties to Britain?
Nationalists and many French Canadians supported independence, while Imperialists preferred loyalty to Britain.
Did conscription create more unity or division in Canada?
Mostly division, especially between English and French Canadians, though war work created some unity.
Why is D-Day (Juno Beach) considered a defining moment for Canada?
It showed Canada’s major combat role and strengthened its global reputation.
How did Quebec nationalism challenge Canadian unity?
Through events like the Parti Québécois election and referendums.
How did the 1969 White Paper attempt to change Indigenous status?
It proposed ending Indian Status and assimilating Indigenous peoples.
To what extent did early contact benefit Europeans more than Indigenous peoples?
Europeans benefited more through land control and political power, while Indigenous peoples experienced displacement and loss of sovereignty.
Was Confederation more beneficial for British Columbia or for Canada overall?
Either answer:
BC gained railway and debt relief
Canada secured western territory
Which event best represents Canada’s move toward independence?
Acceptable answers include the Statute of Westminster, King–Byng Affair, Halibut Treaty, or 1939 declaration of war, with justification.
Choose any World War I battle other than Vimy Ridge and explain why it was historically significant for Canada.
Ypres was significant because Canadian troops held the line during the first large-scale poison gas attack, earning international respect and demonstrating resilience.
Passchendaele was significant as a symbol of the extreme suffering and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers, with high casualties for limited gains.
The Somme showed the devastating human cost of modern warfare and helped shape Canada’s understanding of sacrifice and loss.
Choose a World War II event other than D-Day that significantly shaped Canada’s international reputation.
Liberation of the Netherlands → created a lasting humanitarian legacy and strong diplomatic ties with the Dutch people
Battle of Britain → demonstrated early commitment to the Allied cause and defence of Britain
Hong Kong → highlighted sacrifice and the cost of Canada’s global involvement
Dieppe Raid → despite failure, influenced later Allied strategy and planning
Did Pierre Trudeau strengthen or weaken Canadian unity?
Either answer is acceptable if supported by policies such as the Charter, the Official Languages Act, the NEP, or the War Measures Act.
How has reconciliation changed Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples, and what challenges remain?
Progress includes TRC, Section 35, and court rulings; challenges include land claims and ongoing inequities.