Social 7 Final Review Study Guide

Fundamental Concepts of Citizenship and Culture

Active citizenship is defined as being someone who gets involved in their community and helps make it better. Understanding a society requires looking at the elements that make up a person's culture, which include language, religion, food, clothing, and traditions. In the context of North America, the original people of Canada are identifyed as the First Nations and the Inuit. These groups were highly experienced and had established vast trade networks long before Europeans arrived. Within these groups, specific social structures existed, such as the Haudenosaunee, who were known for creating the sport of Lacrosse and choosing their leaders through the authority of Clan Mothers. Their society is described as being matrilineal, which means following the mother’s family line.

European Exploration and the Mercantilist System

European exploration began in the late 1400s, driven by several major factors. The primary push factor to explore west was the search for a shorter route to Asia to obtain spices and silk. The broader goals of exploration were to find gold, resources, and land. This era of travel was supported by specific technologies, including the compass, the astrolabe, and caravel ships. Economic activity during this time was driven by Mercantilism, which aimed to make a home country rich by using resources extracted from its colonies. One notable outcome of this period was the establishment of the Thirteen Colonies, which are better known today as the United States.

The Governance and Development of New France

New France was a colonial territory with a economy centered on the Fur Trade. It was governed by a Sovereign Council established to rule the region, led by three primary figures: the Goven er, the Intendant, and the Bishop. The land was managed under the Seigneurial System, which was a method of farming land where the land was owned by lords. Samuel de Champlain is recognized as the explorer who founded Quebec City in 1608.

To increase the population of New France, King Louis XIV utilized three specific tactics. First, he sent the "King's daughters" (women sent to marry). Second, he gave land to Soilders. Third, he sponsored migration and paid for large families by giving money to those who had many children.

Conflict, Treaties, and Transition to British Rule

The geopolitical landscape was shaped by various conflicts and legislative acts. The War of 1812 was ended by the Treaty of Ghent. During this war, the Indigenous leader Tecumseh supported British efforts because he did not want Americans to take Indigenous land; his goal was to protect that land. Earlier, under the Treaty of Paris, France lost much of its territory but kept the colony of Pierre and Miquelon.

British North America was governed by a Colonial Goverment, which was ruled by Britain. The Quebec Act of 1774 was a significant piece of legislation that recognized French culture and rights, specifically the Catholic religion and French laws. This act, along with the British North America (BNA) Act, is where the origins of bilingualism in Canada are found.

Confederation and the National Policy

Confederation was the process that created Canada, and it was deemed important because it helped the colonies with trade and defense. The British North America (BNA) Act of 1867 is the agreement from which bilingualism originated, and it originally acknowledged two founding nations: the French and the British. The first four provinces to join Confederation were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Within this new government structure, the responsibility for defense was assigned to the Fedral goverment.

In the era following Confederation, Prime Minister John A MacDonald introduced the National Policy, which was a plan for railroads, settlement, and taxes. One of the reasons Canada wanted to expand into the west was to find farm land and to stop the USA from taking that territory. This period also saw the settlement of the Metis in an area called the Red River. A key feature of the Canadian system is responsible government, which occurs when the goverment must answer to the people.

Glossary of Key Terms

Several specific terms are essential for understanding the history and structure of Canada. An Alliance is defined as a team-up between groups. Economy refers to how money and goods are managed within a society. Matrilineal describes a system of following the mother’s family line. Colonization is the act of taking over land to build a colony. The Seigneurial System refers to the specific practice of farming land owned by lords. Samuel de Champlain is identified as the explorer who started Quebec, and Tecumseh is noted as a key protector of Indigenous land during the conflicts of the early 19th century.