-
1481
Organisation of society- First Occupants
-Trade network Between families
Between groups
Between various tribes
-Used the barter system (give and receive according to one's needs)
-organization of the society:
-Men=hunters
-Women=farmers
-Elderly watched after the children
-Used canoes and snowshoes for transportation -
1497
European Fisheries
European fisherman, mainly Bretons and Basques participated in cod fishing close to Labrador, Newfoundland island and the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence which was discovered by the explorer John Cabot in 1497. Fish was in high demand in Europe for religious reasons. Fish was salted and dried to last longer since bringing fresh fish back to Europe took several weeks since they had to cross the Atlantic. -
1500
Fur Trade
-Aboriginals main economic activity.
-High quality hats and coats were made from the beaver fur.
-The Amerindians offered furs to the European Fishermen in exchange for metal objects such as pots and knives.
-French allied with the Amerindians and began trading with each other.
-These alliances enabled the French to become established in the territory and to develop its resources. -
Jean Talon
Jean Talon's wanted to diversify the economy.
He tried many things such as:
-Triangular Trade
-He imported domestic animals
-Wheat cultivation
-Vegetable cultivation
-Produced wool, leather and beer
Result of Jean Talon's diversification:
-Failed because too much demand for the fur trade.
-Failed because not enough skills to diversify.
-Failed because mother country (France) did not support diversification because of fear that it would impact their exporting to us. -
Chartered Companies
-Population was kept small and mostly male.
-They were the only ones allowed rights to the fur trade.
-Supposed to develop a colony (obligation)
-Ignored developpement of the colony (didn't follow through)
-Result: immense territory with few people -
French Regime
-Economy was based on fur trade
-Less french population than amerindiens so alliances with the natives allowed more hunting to be done
-New france was constantly expanding to find new territories with more fur supplies
-Established trading posts in Quebec and Three Rivers -
Mercantilism
European countries thought it was important to be as wealthy as possible through trade. Exporting (selling) more than importing (buying). Trading for gold and other precious metals. -
The Currency used in New France
-The currency used in New France was the currency of France: the pound, divided into 20 sols and 240 deniers.
- When cash was lacking, it was usually replaced by animal pelts or wheat.
-Intendant Jacques de Meulles and his successors also issued the card currency.
-Other types of paper money were also used. Such as certificates, other script or exchange letters. -
Beaver Crisis
-Beaver economy was in crisis.
-Fur fashion was getting old and the demand for beaver pelts decreased.
-Fur trading was too intense.
-Pelts piled up in warehouses in France.
-King ordered ti slow down fur trade. -
Hudson's Bay Company
In the 17th century, Pierre- Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart Des Groseilliers explored Hudson's Bay, where they attempted to establish a fur trade. They had no help from France so they turned to Great Britain and founded the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. The company established trading posts all throughout the region to engage trading with the Cree nation -
Expansion of territory in New France
-The hunt for furs led to the exploration of North America.
-Adventurers travelled the territory on waterways.
-They explored the Great Lakes, the Prairies all the way to the Rocky Mountains, Hudson Bay, the Ohio Valley and the Mississippi River to Louisiana.
-The regions that were founded were often disputed between the British and the French. -
Population Changes
Population changes due to:
-Canadiens national policy favored immigration
-Because of this, from 1871-1901 Pop. of Qc & Cdn. rose 30-49%
-Birth rate was high but people were still emigrating QC because farm overpopulated.
-People moved to urban centers to work in factories
-Better jobs in USA, Ont, Western Canada, so we saw large emigration too.
-Rich lived well
-High pollution, no piped water, poor sanitation, diseases, working class malnourished.
-High mortality rate -
Railroads
Railroad construction needed the same needs as the canal construction. The first railroad route was inaugurated in 1836 connecting the South Shore of Montreal to St. Jean sur le Richelieu. Although, big scale projects were later undertaken: in 1848, a railroad connecting Montreal to Portland, in Maine, which allowed Montreal to access the sea during the whole year. In 1851, the manufacturing of the Great Trunk Railroad connected Sarnia, Ontario, to Montreal and Rivière-du-Loup. -
Development of the Timber Economy
-Originally great britain got its wood supply from Europe. But, France wanted to conquer all of europe so they created a blockade on great britain not allowing them to get their timber from europe anylonger. So, great britain turned to Canada for their timber supply helping the canadian economy.
-New jobs: lumberjack, loggers, sawmills.
-Improvement and development of transportation: canals, railroads, steamships. -
Economic Policies
-Economy was based on the preferential\protectionist policy between great britain and Canada.
-Trade with Britain was doing well until the preferential\protectionist policy ended.
-Britain established free trade.
-This affected the canadian economy because they no longer had a monopoly. So, they looked for new alliances to trade with their own neighbors.
-1854, Canada signs Reciprocity treaty with the USA
-This was good for canada because the USA had such a large market and economy. -
Canals
Waterways that already had been unnavigable saw the building of canals that facilitated the circulation of steamboats:
-Lachine Canal in Montreal.
-Rideau Canal between Ottawa and Kingston
-Chambly Canal at St.Jean -
Economic policies from contemporary period
The Nationalist politics of MacDonald
Three Main Points:
-Increase Custom Duties:Protect/Promote Canadian Industries by ensuring Canadians bought Canadian goods.
Build Railways: increase trade from coast to coast
-Encourage Immigration: Especially in Western Canada, because newer territory and lower population. -
First Phase Industrialization in Quebec
Late 19th century
Factories: unskilled labour, low wages, dangerous, assembly lines, more efficient but boring work.
Factories were powered by coal/steam engines
Phenomenon of urbanization
Quebec stopped farming: fish, fur, timber/wheat, dairy
Specialized in textiles, wood and dairy (processing in factories) -
The Great Depression
-Cause: Stock market crash of 1929 which set off a panic
-How?: People were buying shares in companies on borrowed money when banks wanted debts repaid. Stocks crashed (plummeted).
-Black Thursday: Stocks dropped drastically, people were ruined, many commited suicide.
-Most sectors of economy were hit hard: wheat farmers…
-Massive layoffs of employees
-Families bought as little as possible.
-Companies and families had no money. -
Economic Developpement- Primary Sector
-In the 19th century agriculture was really not doing well.
-This situation got with the mechanization of farming. Electricity was brought to the countryside and the start of new appliances came about such as refrigerators, mechanical milk extraction devices...
-Agriculture became more diversified.
-More specialized farmers.
-Family run farms became less popular and were replaced by small or medium farming enterprises.
-New natural resources were developped. -
Economic Development- Secondary Sector
-19th century, industrialization affected light industries producing everyday necessities such as leather, shoes, clothing, tobacco and food. -20th century, other industries joined these light industries:
-Pulp and paper and other wood-processed products.
-Ore processing
-Chemical products manufacturing
-Transportation material, particularly for railroads. -
The Quiet Revolution
-1960, started in QC.
-Union nationale by Jean Lesage and his liberal party were defeated.
-Maurice Duplessis and his traditionalism and conservatism won.
-Beginning of welfare state.
-Massive increase of government intervention. -
Economic Development-Tertiary Sector
-Throughout the 20th century, the tertiary sector grew.
-Jobs in administration and finance were more numerous.
-Office workers
-Consumption increase, retail activities multiplied and larger retail chain stores opened.
-Creation of numerous jobs in the social services, health and education fields.
-Most of these jobs were in the urban centers. -
Workers Demands
-With Industrialization came a lot of negative things. Workers were working in factories with terrible conditions. Long hours, Low pay, dangerous and gross work and living conditions... So, they decided to form a workers union.
-Development of unions: the first unions (CTCC) to the larger central unions (CSN, FTQ, CSQ).
-They went on strikes and lockout to fight for better working and living conditions. -
More recent history
-Canada entered into free trade agreements 1988 with USA.
-Mexico signed NAFTA free trade agreement in 1993.
-This shows the ever increasing effects of globalization.
