Canadian History & Politics Review

Flashcards providing vocabulary terms and their definitions based on the lecture notes about Canadian History & Politics.

Worldview

A person or group’s overall perspective on life and society, shaped by culture, traditions, and history. Important in comparing Indigenous vs. European perspectives.

Dialectical Thinking

Looking at issues from multiple sides to find balance or resolution. Helps explain debates in Canadian politics (e.g., federalism, Indigenous rights).

Oral Tradition

Passing knowledge, history, and culture through spoken stories rather than written records. Central to Indigenous societies.

Primary Sources

First-hand accounts of history (e.g., diaries, treaties, speeches). Used to study Canada’s past accurately.

Acculturation

Cultural exchange where groups adopt aspects of each other’s culture while maintaining their identity.

Assimilation

Forcing a minority group to abandon its culture and adopt the dominant one (e.g., residential schools).

Accommodation

Allowing space for cultural differences and adjusting to include them (e.g., bilingualism in Canada).

Annihilation

The attempt to eliminate a culture or people entirely (e.g., banning ceremonies, residential school deaths).

Segregation

Forcing groups to live separately (e.g., reserves for Indigenous peoples).

Royal Proclamation of 1763

British law that recognized Indigenous land rights; foundation of treaty-making.

The Numbered Treaties

11 treaties (1871–1921) between Canada and Indigenous peoples, meant to share land/resources but often unfairly implemented.

Indian Residential Schools

Church-run, government-funded schools (1870s–1996) that tried to assimilate Indigenous children by erasing their culture and language.

Indian Act (1876)

Federal law controlling Indigenous peoples’ lives (status, land, governance). Still affects Indigenous communities today.

Colonialism

Control of land/peoples by another country; in Canada, it meant European dominance over Indigenous peoples.

Sixties Scoop

Removal of thousands of Indigenous children from families (1960s–80s) and placement into non-Indigenous homes.

Federalism

Political system dividing powers between national and provincial governments (central to Canada’s identity and debates).

Constitution of Canada

The highest law, defining government powers and rights. Patriated in 1982.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

Part of the Constitution; guarantees fundamental rights like equality, language, and freedoms.

Notwithstanding Clause

Allows governments to override certain Charter rights temporarily (used by Quebec, Saskatchewan, etc.).

Indian Status

Legal identity under the Indian Act, historically restricting rights but also giving certain benefits.

Bill C-31 (1985)

Amended the Indian Act to restore status rights to women and children who lost them through discrimination.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)

Study recommending reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination.

Neoconservatism

Political ideology favoring free markets, privatization, and smaller government (influenced 1980s–90s Canadian politics).

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance Canada joined in 1949 to defend against Soviet threats.

Peacekeeping

Canada’s international role sending troops to stabilize conflicts (e.g., Suez Crisis, Cyprus, Balkans).

Equalization

Federal payments to less wealthy provinces to ensure similar services across Canada.

Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (1989)

Trade deal eliminating tariffs between Canada and the US.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, 1994)

Expanded free trade to include Mexico.

Western Alienation

Feeling of political/economic neglect in western provinces, especially Alberta.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

Ongoing crisis of violence and disappearance; highlighted systemic racism and lack of protection.

The Seven Years’ War (1756–1763)

Conflict between Britain and France (and Indigenous allies) for control of North America. Ended with Britain taking control of New France, shaping Canada’s future.

American Revolution (1775–1783)

13 Colonies broke from Britain; Loyalists fled to Canada, strengthening English presence and influencing Canadian identity.

War of 1812 (1812–1814)

War between Britain (with Canadian and Indigenous allies) and the U.S. Secured Canada’s borders and strengthened a sense of Canadian identity.

Act of Union (1841)

United Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada; intended to assimilate French culture but fueled French-English tensions.

Fur Trade (1600s–1800s)

Economic foundation of early Canada; shaped Indigenous–European relations and encouraged exploration/settlement.

Confederation of Canada (1867)

Union of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. Expanded later to include more provinces/territories.

Red River Resistance (1869–1870)

Led by Louis Riel and the Métis against Canadian government surveyors. Resulted in the creation of Manitoba and raised Indigenous/Métis issues.

North-West Rebellion (1885)

Another Métis and Indigenous uprising led by Riel against Canada’s neglect. Defeat led to Riel’s execution and worsened French-English relations.

World War I (1914–1918)

Canada fought for Britain, gaining recognition (Vimy Ridge, Treaty of Versailles). Conscription crisis divided French and English Canadians.

World War II (1939–1945)

Canada declared war independently of Britain. Significant contributions (Dieppe, D-Day, liberation of Holland). Conscription crisis returned. Canada emerged stronger internationally.

Conscription Crises (1917 & 1944)

Forced military service caused deep French-English divisions, especially in Quebec.

Cold War (1945–1991)

Period of tension between the West and USSR. Canada joined NATO, NORAD, and engaged in peacekeeping missions.

Patriation of the Constitution (1982)

Canada gained full control over its Constitution. Added Charter of Rights and Freedoms, increasing civil rights protections.

Oka Crisis (1990)

Armed standoff between Mohawk people and Quebec police/military over land rights. Brought Indigenous land disputes to national attention.

Somalia Affair (1993)

Canadian peacekeepers tortured and killed a Somali teenager. Damaged Canada’s international reputation.

Meech Lake Accord (1987–1990)

Attempt to recognize Quebec as a “distinct society. ” Failed after Elijah Harper’s opposition, showing exclusion of Indigenous voices.

Charlottetown Accord (1992)

Attempted constitutional reform addressing Quebec and Indigenous self-government. Failed in a national referendum.

Quebec Referendum (1995)

Second referendum on Quebec sovereignty; nearly passed (“No” won by ~1%). Highlighted ongoing unity issues.

Residential School Apology (2008)

PM Stephen Harper issued an official apology for the government’s role in residential schools.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008–2015)

Investigated residential schools, gathered survivor testimonies, and issued 94 Calls to Action for reconciliation.

Pierre Trudeau (1968–1979, 1980–1984)

Prime Minister; promoted bilingualism, multiculturalism, and patriation of the Constitution (1982). Introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Brian Mulroney (1984–1993)

Prime Minister; negotiated the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (1989) and NAFTA (1994). Attempted constitutional reforms (Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords).

Elijah Harper (1949–2013)

Cree politician who blocked the Meech Lake Accord in 1990, advocating for Indigenous inclusion in constitutional negotiations.

Jean Chrétien (1993–2003)

Prime Minister; opposed Quebec sovereignty during the 1995 referendum. Oversaw the Residential School Apology and advanced Indigenous reconciliation efforts.

Murray Sinclair (1951– )

Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; former Senator and lawyer. Advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

Reform Party of Canada (1987–2000)

Western-based political party advocating for smaller government, democratic reform, and addressing Western alienation.

Bloc Québécois (1991– )

Federal political party advocating for Quebec sovereignty and protecting French-Canadian interests.

United Nations Peacekeepers

Canadian soldiers serving in international missions to maintain peace and stability (e.g., Suez Crisis, Cyprus, Balkans).

Stephen Harper (2006–2015)

Prime Minister; conservative policies, emphasized economic management, law and order, and international trade.

Justin Trudeau (2015– )

Prime Minister; focused on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, climate change, and social justice policies.