Post on 27-Mar-2015
Chapter EightChapter EightCanadaCanadaSection TwoSection Two
The Search for a National IdentityThe Search for a National Identity
Understanding the PastUnderstanding the Past
• Canada’s population is as vast and varied as its land.
• Most people identify with regional or ethnic groups rather than the nation as a whole.
• The two largest groups are:
1. British Ancestry 40%
2. French Ancestry 27%
The First CanadiansThe First Canadians
• The first people to live in what is now Canada were Inuit and Native Americans.
• These people developed stable societies and adapted to a wide range of environments.
• In the 1600’s, the rival European empires of England and France began colonizing the region.
• Soon England and France were battling each other for control of the land.
Colonial RivalriesColonial Rivalries
• French and English colonists clashed over the fur trade and land claims.
• Between 1689 and 1763, the English and French fought four wars in North America.
• The English defeated the French in the Battle of Quebec in 1759.
• In 1763 France surrendered all of its empire in what is now Canada to the English.
Ties to BritainTies to Britain
• Canada remained under direct British rule until 1867, when it received some control over domestic affairs.
• In 1931 Canada became an independent country, even though the British monarch is still Canada’s symbolic ruler.
Conflict Between Two CulturesConflict Between Two Cultures
• 70,000 French colonists lived in Canada when the British took control in 1763.
• The British government passed laws ensuring that French Canadians would be able to maintain their own language, laws, and culture.
• Today both English and French are the official languages of Canada.
• Many French Canadians feel discriminated against by the English speaking majority.
• In the 1960’s the Quebecois, Quebec’s French speaking citizens, began to embrace the idea of separatism.
• Separatism- The desire to make Quebec an independent country.• In 1974 French became the official language of Quebec.• In 1995 a referendum was held on the issue of secession, but failed
by a slim vote.• Secede- To formally withdraw (in this case from Canada).
Welcoming Diversity, Promoting Welcoming Diversity, Promoting UnityUnity
• Many different groups make up Canadian society:
1. British 40%
2. French 27%
3. Other European 20% (Mainly German, Italian, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Dutch, and Polish)
4. Asian 11.5%
5. Native Canadian 1.5%
A Multicultural SocietyA Multicultural Society
• There are 554,000 Canadians of Native decent in Canada. 41,000 of these are Inuit.
• Most Native Canadians live in the territories, or northern areas of Newfoundland, Ontario, and Quebec.
• The largest number of recent immigrants are form Asia, who are settling mostly in British Columbia.