Early 20th Century Canada: The Age of Prosperity and Its Realities

Historical vocabulary and key concepts from Canadian lecture notes covering the Laurier era, immigration policies, industrialization, and social reforms.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier

The first Francophone Prime Minister of Canada, in power from $1896$ to $1911$, who favored immigration, national unity, and the development of the West.

Age of Prosperity

A period at the beginning of the $20\text{th}$ century characterized by rapid economic growth, massive immigration, industrialization, and technological innovation.

Urbanization

A transformation where cities grew rapidly and rural villages emptied as people moved toward industrial centers.

Klondike Gold Rush

An event triggered in $1896$ in the Yukon, fueled by a Seattle newspaper report in $1897$, attracting many to Dawson City.

Chilkoot Pass

One of the perilous routes taken by prospectors during the Yukon gold rush.

Clifford Sifton

The Minister of Immigration from $1896$ to $1905$ who actively recruited 'robust peasants' from Eastern Europe to farm the Prairies.

Head Tax

A fee imposed by the Canadian government on Chinese immigrants, which increased from $50$, to $100$, then finally to $500$ dollars.

Vancouver Riots of 1907

Violent anti-Asian riots where homes and businesses were destroyed under the slogan 'A White Canada.'

Day of Humiliation

The term used for July $1$, $1923$, when Canada passed a law completely banning Chinese immigration.

Square Mile

A wealthy neighborhood in Montreal inhabited by a small elite that controlled a large portion of the Canadian economy.

Radium Girls

An example mentioned in the notes regarding the exploitation and dangers faced by workers due to lack of protection laws.

Tailors' Strike (1912)

A nine-week labor struggle that resulted in a victory for workers through the reduction of work hours.

Chinese Railway Workers

Key labor force for the railroad where more than $15,000$ workers faced dangerous conditions, resulting in an average of $1$ death per mile of track.

Child Labor

A common practice in the early $20\text{th}$ century where children worked long hours, often up to $12$ to $18$ hours a day.

Urban Poverty Statistics

In early $20\text{th}$ century slums, the life expectancy was approximately $50$ years, and $1$ out of $4$ children died before the age of one.