Citizenship
What is citizenship?
The legal status of belonging to a country.
What changed about how Canadians saw themselves at the turn of the century?
They started to see themselves as Canadians, not only British.
List two groups who were excluded from this emerging Canadian identity in some way:
Answers may include:
First Nations
Certain religious groups (ex: Jewish people)
Immigrants
Women
What did "Last Best West" advertisements offer to potential immigrants to Canada?
Answers may include:
Fertile farming land for free (or at low cost)
Job opportunities
A new, better life in the countryside
What is colonial ideology?
The mindset that European countries like the British had when they colonized other nations.
What privileges traditionally come with citizenship?
Legal and political rights. Voting rights.
How did Canadians have a dual identity at the turn of the century?
They felt British but also Canadian.
What is an example of a religious minority at the turn of the century?
A non-Christian.
Examples include Jewish people, Hindus, Buddhists, even sometimes Catholics.
Answers may include:
Chinese
Japanese
South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, etc.)
Scandinavians (Danish, Swedish, etc.)
Jewish immigrants
African Americans
Answers may include:
Dominance and control: wanting to set up systems that allow colonizers to be the authority and wield power
Exploitation and Extraction: aiming to collect and use whatever resources necessary to build the empire
Cultural supremacy: the belief that the European way of life was the supreme one that set the standard for all other cultures.
How did not being citizens affect Canadians?
They had fewer political rights and voting rights.
What are the four ways Canadian identity was forged at the turn of the century?
1. Shared history
2. Symbols
3. Literature and Arts
4. Sports and Recreation
How were First Nations excluded from the emerging sense of Canadian Identity?
Answers may include:
Indian Act of 1876: legal, systemic discrimination, fewer rights
Cultural Suppression and Assimilation: forced conformity, banned cultural practices
Social Exclusion and Disrespect: negative, distorted ideas of First Nations, stereotypes (ex: Buffalo Bill shows)
What were some of the realities immigrants faced when arriving to Canada?
Answers may include:
Harsh Conditions: severe Canadian winters, climate that made farming difficult
Lower land quality: many immigrants ended up with low-quality land that was not suitable for farming
Isolation: many immigrants settled far away from established cities
Indigenous peoples: many immigrants were not made aware that they were moving onto existing Indigenous land, leading to competition for resources.
Economic realities: many immigrants struggled to get by and did not "make it rich" as they expected.
Discrimination: many immigrants were not welcomed with open arms by Canadians, and instead faced discrimination.
Name and explain one impact of colonial ideology:
Answers may include:
Cultural suppression and assimilation: Non-European cultures were prevented from existing and forced to conform to British standards (residential schools, banning of cultural practices, etc.)
Resource extraction and exploitation: Lumber, water, minerals, and coal were collected, causing pollution and damage to land while also building up the country
Social and economic inequality: discrimination and exclusion of non-European peoples occured
How did the Greeks contribute to the evolution of citizenship?
They created the idea of citizenship for free, property-owning males only.
What symbols helped create a shared sense of identity?
How were certain religious groups excluded from the emerging sense of Canadian identity?
Answers may include:
Discrimination and prejudice: Certain religious groups were banned from some places, employment discrimination, negative attitudes.
Dominant religious norms: It was believed that to be a Canadian meant to be a Christian, which left non-Christians excluded.
What was the goal of the voyage of the Komagata Maru?
To challenge discriminatory immigration laws that prevented people from India from entering while still allowing white immigrants to enter the country.
Traditionally, this is broadened to mean around 1890 to 1910.
How did the French Revolution contribute to the evolution of citizenship?
Citizenship was now considered a human right.
How did literature and arts help shape Canadian identity?
Art and books (like Anne of Green Gables) showed that Canadians could make their own artistic contributions to the world separate from Britain.
How were immigrant groups excluded from the emerging sense of Canadian identity?
Language and cultural barriers: Immigrants often didn't speak English, lived different lifestyles, which made it harder for them to fit into Canadian society
Systemic Discrimination: Jobs could discriminate against certain immigrants applying ("Irish Need Not Apply"). Schools, landlords, and hospitals could also discriminate.
Xenophobic Attitudes and Stereotypes: Stereotypes about immigrant groups reinforced negative attitudes about them.
Why is the Komagata Maru historically significant?
1. It is a symbol of resistance against discriminatory immigration policies
2. It raised awareness about these policies
3. It contributed to change in Canada's immigration laws.
What was Canada considered at the turn of the century?
A dominion.