Question

By the mid-1870s Canada wanted an immigrant population of agricultural settlersestablished in the West. No urban centers existed on the grassland in the 1870s, and rural settlement was the focus of the federal government’s attention. The western rural settlement was desired, as it would provide shelters and farmlands for the sons and daughters of eastern farmers, as eastern agricultural landfilled to capacity. As well, eastern farmers and politicians viewed western Canada, with its broad expanses of unpopulated land, as a prime location for expanding Canada’s agricultural output, especially in terms of wheat production to serve the markets of eastern Canada. To support Canada’s population and agricultural output, the federal government took steps to secure western land. The Dominion of Canada purchased Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870. In 1872, the federal government enacted the Dominion Lands Act. This act enabled settlers so acquire 160 acres of free land, as long as settlers remained on their land for a period of three years, made certain minor improvements to the land, and paid a $10.00 registration fee. The Canadian government also created a Mounted Police Force in 1873. The Mounties journeyed west to secure the area for future settlers. All of these initiatives attracted a number of eastern-Canadian settlers, as well as European and American immigrants, to Canada’s West, and particularly to the area of Manitoba. The majority of settlers to Winnipeg – the metropolist of the West, and the surrounding countryside, during this early period, were primarily Protestant English-speaking settlers from Ontario and the British Isles. These settlers established Winnipeg upon a British- Ontarian ethos which came to dominate the society’s social, political, and economic spirit.This British-Ontarian ethnic homogeneity, however, did not last very long. Increasing numbers of foreign immigrants, especially from Austria-Hungary and Ukraine soon added a new ethnic element to the recent British, the older First Nation Métis, and Selkirk’s settler population base. Settling the West with (in particular) Eastern Canadians and British immigrant offered the advantage of safeguarding the 49th parallel from the threat of American take-over, had not the Minnesota legislature passed a resolution which provided for the annexation of the Red River district. The Red River in 1870 was the most important settlement on the Canadian prairies. It contained 11,963 inhabitants of whom 9,700 were Métis and First Nations. But neighboring Minnesota already had a population of over 100,000. The Canadian government presented Canada’s attractions to potential overseas migrants in several ways. The government offered free or cheap land to potential agriculturists. As well, the government established agents and/or agencies for the purpose of attracting emigrants overseas. The most influential form of attracting others to Canada, however, remained the letters home written by emigrants already in Canada – letters from trusted friends and family members. Letters home often contained exaggerations of the ‘wonder of the new world.’ Migrant workers and settlers already in Canada did not want to disappoint, or worry, their family and friends at home. Embellished tales of good fortune and happiness often succeeded in encouraging others to come. Summarize and write a paragraph to reflect about it.

Answer 1

To expand agricultural output and settle the western lands, Canada's mid-1870s federal policies, such as the Dominion Lands Act and the creation of a Mounted Police Force, attracted settlers, ensuring strategic and demographic growth in regions like Manitoba.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the mid-1870s, the Canadian government aimed to populate the Western regions with agricultural settlers to utilize the vast expanses of land for farming, primarily focusing on wheat production. The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 was a critical step in this process, offering 160 acres of land to settlers for a nominal fee and the promise of improvements over three years. The establishment of the Mounted Police Force in 1873 helped secure the area for settlers, bolstering the immigration of both Eastern-Canadian settlers and foreign immigrants to the burgeoning urban center of Winnipeg and its surrounding countryside.

The initial phase of settlement was dominated by Protestant, English-speaking settlers from Ontario and the British Isles, but this homogeneous community was soon diversified by an influx of immigrants from Austria-Hungary and Ukraine. These developments not only assisted in expanding Canada's agricultural output but also played a strategic role in safeguarding the 49th parallel from potential American annexation. Government initiatives, combined with personal communications from early immigrants, bolstered the allure of Canada's West, leading to substantial immigration and the formation of new, diverse communities.

Answer 2

Main Answer:

By the mid-1870s, Canada aimed to establish an immigrant population of agricultural settlers in the West, focusing on rural settlement due to the saturation of eastern farmlands. The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 and the purchase of Rupert's Land in 1870 were pivotal steps to secure western land.

Step-by-step explanation:

The creation of a Mounted Police Force in 1873 aimed to safeguard the area for future settlers, attracting Eastern Canadian, European, and American immigrants, particularly to Manitoba. Initially dominated by a British-Ontarian ethos, the demographic landscape soon diversified with an influx of immigrants from Austria-Hungary and Ukraine, contributing to a dynamic cultural mix in Canada's West.

The mid-1870s marked a crucial period for Canada's westward expansion, driven by the need for agricultural settlers. The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 and the acquisition of Rupert's Land exemplify the government's strategic moves to secure vast expanses of unpopulated land. The creation of a Mounted Police Force in 1873 highlights the commitment to ensure a safe environment for future settlers. This proactive approach attracted a diverse range of immigrants, transforming Manitoba from a predominantly British-Ontarian society to a culturally rich melting pot.

The demographic shift was not just a result of government initiatives but also influenced by the threat of American takeover, emphasizing the strategic importance of settling the west with Eastern Canadians and British immigrants. The allure of free or cheap land, along with government-established agencies, played a role, but the most influential factor was the persuasive power of letters home.

These letters, often embellished with tales of prosperity, served as a potent tool for encouraging others to join the Canadian venture. In essence, the West's settlement was a multifaceted process driven by government policies, strategic considerations, and the compelling narratives crafted by those already established in Canada.