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Indian Act Part One (political)
The Indian Act was passed in 1876 with the intent of enfranchising First Nations, i.e. making them more European. The Act was highly discriminatory and passed many laws intent on changing the First Nations way of life. In 1914 the government outlawed traditional dancing off of reserves. A big part of the Act was intended to get First Nations to stop with their spiritual beliefs. This was a downgrade for Canada and I think it's a level -2. -
Wartime Election Act (political)
The Wartime Election Act let women who had relatives fighting in the war vote. This was a step forward to getting women the right to vote. Although the Election Act was only made so that Robert Borden would win the election. Robert Borden created conscription but many people were against conscription. The mothers of soldiers agreed with conscription so Robert Borden gave them the vote so he would win.
I think that this was progressive for Canada and I give it a level 1. -
Passchendaele (social)
Over 4,000 Canadians died and even more injured during the battle of Passchendaele. The same strategies were used in Passchendaele as in the battle if Vimy. This didn't work because Passchendaele was so muddy. Soldiers and horses drowned in the mud. Canada won the battle, but we gave up all the land we won.
I give Passchendaele a -2. So many people died and all for nothing. -
Aboriginals Right To Vote (political)
This was the first time aboriginals got the right to vote. However, it only included men who were serving with the military. They could vote without the fear of losing their Indian status. This was a big step to accepting aboriginals and they didn't have to change their spiritual beliefs.
I give the aboriginal rights to vote a level 1. -
Arthur Currie (political)
Arthur Currie was the strategist behind Vimy Ridge. This battle was a huge win for Canada and all of the Canadian troops fought together without any supporting British soldiers. Arthur Currie built a scale model of the battlefield so everyone would know exactly what to do. He was also the first Canadian promoted to general. It was hard for Canada to be respected by other countries. Because of Arthur Currie, Canada got the respect it deserved.
This was progress for Canada, level 2. -
Halifax Explosion (social)
A ship with explosives was headed to the battlefields when it crashed with another ship. This was the second biggest man-made explosion in history, the first being the first atomic bomb (1945). The explosion caused a tsunami that whipped out the north end of Halifax. About 2,000 died, 9,000 were injured and 25,000 lost their houses.
The Halifax explosion was a negative development and I give it a level -2. -
General Strike (economical)
The Winnipeg general strike was the biggest in Canadian history. Over 30,00 workers walked off of their jobs from May 15th to June 25th. During the protests, there were arrests, injuries, and two deaths. Multiple factories, shops, transit and city services were shut down. It took a while to improve job conditions, but it worked in the end. The strike helped unit the working class.
This was progress for Canada and I think it's a level 2. -
Agnes Macphail (political)
Agnes was the first female Member of Parliament. She was also one of the two first women to be elected into the Ontario legislate. Agnes Macphail was the founding member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. When she was a member of the Ontario Legislate she was the one who championed equal pay legislation.
This was huge progress for Canada because it made a path for other young women to follow. Level 2. -
Frederick Banting (social)
Frederick Banting was a Canadian doctor who discovered insulin. He also received a Noble Peace Prize a year after discovering insulin. Being 23 when he received the prize he was the youngest person to get the Nobel Peace Prize in medicine/physiology. In 1934 Fredrick Banting was knighted by King George V.
I give Fedrick Banting a level 2. His discovery has saved millions of people's lives. -
Indian Act Part Two (politcial)
In 1914 dancing was outlawed outside of reserves, but in 1925 it was outlawed in general. The government didn't want the First Nations dancing even if they were in their own houses. The government believed that they could destroy the First Nation culture by imposing restrictions on their traditions, language, and beliefs.
This is a decline for Canada and I think it's a level 2. -
Famous Five (political)
The famous five were five women who fought for women's rights. In 1927 they started the person's case. The person's case was to get women the right to vote. The Supreme Court ruled that women were not "persons" in 1928. They would not take no for an answer and in 1929 they appealed to the Privy Council in London. Finally, it was recognized that women were "persons" and they got the vote.
This was progress for Canada, level 2. -
Indian Act Part Three (political)
In 1927 the Indian act was updated again. It was now illegal for First Nations to hire lawyers or bring land claims against the government.
This is a decline for Canada and I think it's a level 2.
