CanadaHistory, land, and culture

Canadian History• Like the U.S.:– Colonial history– British influence– Multicultural– Large country w/ many differences region to region• This makes it hard to find a “national identity”

• 1st groups to live in Canada– Inuits & Native Americans (Native Canadians)– Some lived along the coast, some made settlements in

the Great Lakes region, others were nomads• British & French– Most Canadians have British or French ancestry (British =

40%, French = 27%)– Started arriving in the 1600s– Wiped up much of the native population– Fought each other for land

• Period of war: 1689-1763• British won Battle of Quebec in 1759; France surrendered all its

land by 1763• Under British law, French colonists were allowed to stay & keep

their culture; Canadian gov’t continues to protect rights

• British control– Canada was a British territory until 1867– 1867 BNA created the Dominion of Canada• Gave Canada its own gov’t; military & foreign policy still

controlled by Great Britain

– Canada gained full independence in 1931– British monarch is still a symbolic ruler in Canada

• Quebec– Home to most French-speaking Canadians

• English & French are the 2 national languages

– Many Quebecois feel different from other Canadians• French culture/language• Feel they are discriminated against

– Separatist movement• Many in Quebec want to secede (or formally withdraw)

from Canada and become a new country

• New cultures– Canada still receives many immigrants from Europe

and, more recently, Asia

Canada Today• Challenges– Balance natural resource use/extraction with

environmental preservation• Oil pipelines, lumber, fishing

– Problems with urbanization

• Over 75% of pop. lives in urban areas• Housing shortages, pollution, providing services/resources

• Links with the U.S.– Longest undefended border in the world (5,000+

miles)– Cultural ties• Radio & TV programs• Pro sports leagues • Easy travel/vacation

– Similar language & heritage

– Economic ties• Canada buys 25% of U.S. exports, U.S. buys 85% of

Canadian exports• Trade agreements

– FTA (1988); eliminated many tariffs (taxes on imported goods); mixed results

– NAFTA (1993); Canada, US & Mexico; more successful

– Many Canadians feel the US/Canadian relationship is uneven• Feel overshadowed; feel they know more about the

U.S. than we know about them

• Global role– Location on Atlantic & Pacific oceans gives the

opportunity for trade with Europe & Asia– Membership in the Commonwealth of Nations

provides links to developed & developing countries• Good trade relationship with Europe

– “Middle power”• Cooperates with other countries to achieve global impact

– Known for its role as “global peacekeeper”• Promotion of arms control & peace negotiations

The U.S. & Canada – Shared Features

• Physical characteristics– Central plains– Rocky mountains & App. Mountains– Pacific & Atlantic Oceans– Great Lakes

• Climates– Humid Continental– Tundra/subarctic– Highlands– Marine west coast

• Ecosystems– Deciduous & coniferous forests– Tundra– Prairies

• People & culture– Sports & recreation– Media & entertainment– Religion– Language – Large, diverse populations

• Economics, tech., environment– Advanced technology– Developed nations– Capitalist economies– High standard of living