Answer: In the mid 1800s, there was a lot of slavery in southern United States. Many Black people from United States escaped their masters and headed to Canada. They settled all over the country because they wanted to escape slavery. Moving to Canada was possible because of the Underground Railroad. European immigrants were the best settlers for the challenging Prairies, because of their familiarity with agriculture, rural lifestyles, and harsh climates. Economic and social situations in Europe were increasingly challenging in the mid to late 1800s.