Canada History, land, and culture. Canadian History Like the U.S.: – Colonial history – British...
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Transcript of Canada History, land, and culture. Canadian History Like the U.S.: – Colonial history – British...
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