Key Historical Vocabulary and Figures in Canadian History

Free trade

trade between different countries without taxes or restrictions

Seigneur

Wealthy landowners who rented out smaller plots of land to Canadien farmers

Assimilate

to bring into conformity or adapt to the customs and attitudes of a group

Metis

an Aboriginal person descended from a First Nations mother and a father of European descent

Abolitionist

a person who wants to work to end slavery

Nationalism

a desire for people sharing a common culture, language and history to form an independent nation

Joseph Salter

Joseph Salter was a successful New Brunswick businessman and politician.

Fame of Joseph Salter

In 1855 he became the first mayor of Moncton. His shipbuilding company was one of the largest employers in the Atlantic colonies in the 1850s. In 1859 the demand for his ships dropped and he turned to mining. He worked as an executive in a mining company in New Brunswick. Moved to Nova Scotia where the large coal supply offered more opportunities and Slater became wealthy.

American Civil War impact

In 1861 the American Civil War broke out in the United States. The war created an increased demand for agricultural products and other natural resources from the Atlantic Colonies. The Americans began heavily taxing goods from British North America. As a result, these colonies lost valuable markets for their products.

Martin Butler

Martin Butler was born in New Brunswick in 1857 to a working class family and was the youngest of 11 children. Like many other children, Martin spent his childhood working and contributing to the family.

Butler family occupation

The Butlers were farmers. Farming could not support the family alone. Martin's father and brothers often worked in the lumber industry in fall and winter.

Martin Butler's early work

Martin left home at age 11 to work for another family as their servant and store clerk. He was paid room and board.

Martin Butler's injury

At age 18 he lost his arm in a piece of machinery. Later becoming a poet and printer later in life.

The Papineaus

The Papineaus were seigneurs that owned 178,000 acres of land on the Ottawa River.

Papineau's business

The Papineaus rented lots of land and did lots of business with sawmills, and large commercial farms. Many farmers rented on credit and at times could not make payments and as a result had to give up their land.

French Nationalism

French Nationalism was an effort by Canadien leaders to create a national identity and protect French language, religion, and culture.

Governors' stance on assimilation

Some governors such as Lord Metcalfe (1843 - 1845) and Lord Elgin (1847 - 1854) favoured abandoning assimilation. They supported the Canadiens keeping their culture.

Gold discovery in New Caledonia

Gold was discovered in 1858. Governor James Douglas declared it as British Colony and renamed it British Columbia.

Impact of gold rush

Thousands of miners came to the area and disrupted the First Nations. They disrupted and polluted their fishing waters. Conflicts with the First Nations and the miners causing the Fraser Canyon War in 1858.