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1500
Amerindians' Trading Systems
-They traded between families and various tribes at the Algonquian bands' summer camps. Example: Algonquins (nomadic hunters) got farming surplus such as corn from Iroquois (sedentary farmers), who got hunting surplus such as meat in return. Proof of the Trade System: We only know natives traded because they found items where they shouldn’t usually be. Example of items found: Shark tooth comes from ocean border yet it was found in the middle of forest territory in Ohio. -
1510
European Fishing Grounds
-Jean Cabot discovered Newfoundland in 1497, where many European fishermen came. Why French liked Fish in America:
People in the Catholic religion, which mainly consisted of French Europeans, couldn't eat red meat or beef on Friday so fish was the protein replacement. They came to America and took all the fish possible. -Journey across the Atlantic was long so fish brought to Europe was never fresh. It was either smoked, salted or sundried. -
Birth of Fur Trade between European Fishermen and Natives
Trade: Fishermen obtained furs from Amerindians, who in exchange received metals objects like pots. -Europeans felt that beaver pelts were worth more than metal objects and the Amerindians, who knew nothing about metallurgy, thought the opposite. -Realizing that they made higher profits with beaver pelts than with fishing, the Europeans loaded their ships with metal objects to trade with furs from animals like fox and moose. -Marks the beginning of fur trade and European and Native alliances. -
The Company of 100 Associates
Deal made: 100 Associates: Founded by Richelieu, this company obtained the monopoly on the fur trade. The fur was shipped to France where they were manufactured and finally sold. King: By leaving the company the monopoly on the fur trade, the 100 associates has to boost the population. Outcome: The company failed purposely because with more people, you would have more competition for fur hunting. -
Trading of Fur during French Regime
-Algonquins and Huron-Wendats, who were allied with the French, met yearly in spring at trade fairs. -Hurons-Wendats and Iroquois were the biggest suppliers since they got their pelts from the Great Lakes. -In 1649, Iroquois were running out of fur so they fought with the Hurons-Wendats whose village Huronia was destroyed. -After 1649, French authority hired engagés with trade license to go to the Amerindian territory to get pelts then sell them to trading companies. -
Attempts to Diversify New France Economy
-Economy revolves mostly around fur until 1663 -Jean Talon attempts to diversify economy after 1663 by bringing domestic animals such as cows to New France. Settlers use them to develop animal breeding. -Agriculture diversified with the addition of wheat, vegetable and cereal cultivation. -In the end, New France remained a resource supplier for France. This happened because France didn't want to compete with their own colony's economy if it became too diversified and advanced. -
Comparing New France to 13 Colonies
New France: Territory is big because of fur hunting, population remains small, sole purpose is to export fur and other natural resources back to France, poor compared to 13 colonies. 13 Colonies: Territory is small but population is immense, focused on diverse farming (tobacco, cotton, indigo) as well as fur trading, didn't have mercantilism so population grew and prospered. -
Obstacles to Diversifying Economy
Despite Jean Talon’s attempts to diversify economy, it became hard. Few people were specialized or skilled workers, the local market was weak and there was a higher production cost than in France. Also, the diversification of economy wasn't encouraged by the mother country, France, since they didn't want to compete with the economy of their own colony. -
Mercantilism
How it was used in France:
European Countries thought it was essential to possess lots of gold. You would accomplish this by exporting more than you import. King of France takes all raw materials from New France to make it into a finished product. France then sold all the products and kept all the gold. -Mercantilism isn't anymore since it leaves your colonies weak. Example: The 13 colonies and the British, whose economy was prospering, didn't use mercantilism. -
Development of Timber Industry in Canada
-Blockade by Napoleon in 1806, meaning the usual routes to get wood were closed off so Europeans took trees from Canada. Consequences of the Timber Industry:
-Creation of the Bank of Montreal in 1817 to allow investors to invest and obtain credit, can get loans and keep their money in safe keeping.
-New jobs such as lumberjacks and longshoremen.
-Improvement and development of transportation: canals, railroads and steamships.
-Development of new regions such as Saguenay and Mauricie. -
Agricultural Development
Great Britain could no longer produce enough food to meet its own needs so they started buying more from Canada. While Upper Canada produced lots of wheat, Lower Canada cultivated crops like oats and hemp. During this time, the dairy industry started to become more popular and cheese and milk industries started to make their appearance in the city. Regions like Mauricie that were opened up for forest development was now also used for agriculture. -
Hudson's Bay Company and Northwest Company
Hudson’s Bay: Powerful fur company founded in 1670. -In 1783, the creation of the United States led to the loss of territory south of the Great Lakes. Northwest Company: Fur company created by Montreal merchants after 1783 to re-direct fur trade to the Northwest. -These two companies competed against each other. However, they spent lots of money competing against each other while the fur trade was declining. In the end, they merged together in 1821. -
Transportation
To facilitate trade, the government started to initiate the construction of transports such as the canal or the railroad. The first railroad was built in 1836, connecting Montreal South Shore to St-Jean sur le Richelieu. Several other large-scale railroads were also built years later. Many canals such as Lachine Canal and Rideau Canal were also built in the first half of the 19th century so steamships can circulate. -
Reciprocity Treaty
Preferential/Protectionist treatment: Canada was one of Britain's favourite colonies so they got better deals and they didn't have to pay customs or taxes. However, free trade got taken away because Britain wanted to explore other colonies. Canada now needed a new trade partner. Reciprocity treaty: Canada signs a Reciprocity treaty with the USA in 1854 and it lasts 10 years. This treaty meant no customs and duties between the two countries. -
The National Policy
John A. MacDonald: First prime minister of Canada wanted to make this country an economic powerhouse so he created The National Policy. -Increase in custom duties to ensure Canadian industries were protected and promoted by making sure Canadians bought Canadian goods.- Railways like The Canadian Pacific Railway ran coast to coast, unifying people and making trade easier.
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1st Phase of Industrialization
People went from skilled craftsmen's, which took time and skill, to factory workers where no skill was required since each person repeated the same step all day. This phase focused on the production of finished goods such as textile. Many people moved to cities (urbanization) to be closer to the factories where they were overworked, paid little and kids and adults worked and lived in unsanitary conditions. During this phase, industries were powered by coal and steam engines. -
Unions
During the industrialization phase, work conditions in factories were terrible and it wasn't rare for workers to be abused. This caused unions such as CTCC to be created, which protected them. In 1885, the Provincial Manufacturing Law was put in place by the Quebec government and it limited the number of hours worked and created a minimum age for workers. However, unions like Knights of Labour were still created by workers, which used lockouts and strikes to protest. -
2nd Phase of Industrialization
This phase focused on the exploitation of resources like ore, pulp and paper. This led new regions to be opened up such as Gaspésie. During this time period, the main energy sources were oil and hydroelectricity. Materials like iron and steel also led to the construction of railroads and locomotives. -
Cause of the Great Depression
In the roaring 20s after WW1, people had lots of money so the population invested it in companies with money borrowed from the bank. However, during the stock market crash of 1929, the companies they invested in went bankrupt so they couldn't pay back the money borrowed from the bank. As a consequence, the bank, who gave so many people loans, didn't have the money to return to the population when they asked for it. As a result, lots of people became poor. -
Consequences of the Great Depression
The prosperity that came with the end of WW1 came to an abrupt end and the Depression impacted several people. -Most sectors of the economy were hit hard. Especially wheat farmers, who were brought down even more with the drought and plague of insects.
-Many people lost their jobs.
-Families bought as little as possible to save their money. -
Government Solutions to the Great Depression
Measures implemented by the government: 1.Public work projects- groups of people fixed streets.
2.Work camps- people were fed and given shelters and in return, they got a job.
3.Direct aid- people were given food stamps, which they could get food with.
4.Farming was encouraged since it's easy to feed your family when you plant your own crops. Outcome: Finally the start of WW2 in 1939 led to a huge economic boost since there were more jobs and The Great Depression ended. -
Maurice Duplessis:
He was the premier of Quebec and had old-fashioned thoughts on how the province should be run. For example, he supported the church, leaving them in charge of education. He also believed people should move to the country and farm and eventually made agriculture in Quebec the #1 exportation. Eventually, he even brought electricity and paved roads to the country so people would live there. Because of these terms, the rest of the world was advancing but Quebec wasn't developing. -
The Quiet Revolution
Jean Lesage of the Liberal party beat Duplessis. Everything he did, the Quiet Revolution undoes. To help Quebec advance:
Economics: The Trans-Canada and Montreal Metro were built. Education: Parent Committees and MEQ, the educational system that oversees the Quebec education, were created. Free public schools are also available until the age of 16. Church: Weakened and no longer had control of education and hospitals. -
Hydroelectricity
-Numerous waterways in Quebec led energy to be produced with hydroelectricity. -Hydro-Quebec, a government-owned company, provides electricity all across the province. In the 60's, this company ended private control of hydroelectric industries. -James Bay Hydroelectric dam, built in northern Quebec, was a large project that took place in the 1980s. It was very controversial since it was built on Native land and destroyed animal migration routes. -
Trade in Canada in the 20th century
-Canada signed the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico in 1993. This signifies that these three countries all circulate goods between each other, free of taxes. -NAFTA caused a growth in Canadian exports and a relocation of manufacturing jobs towards Mexico, where the cost of labour is cheaper than in Canada.
