Respond to any two (2) of the following questions with a clearly written answer of 750 to 1,000 words each.
You should write in a ‘loose’ essay form. By “loose” I mean it should be written in good clear paragraphs but it does not need footnotes. If you want to cite our textbook or anything else in particular, you can do that with an in-text reference. Remember that paragraphs should be used as your main way to organize your thoughts and your different points. On occasion, if you have a number of short sub points to make, you may list those in point form within a paragraph. E.g., “there are five reasons for this…… (and then list in point form your five reasons.)”
Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of:
a. Knowledge and understanding of course material including the course text book, class discussion online and the instructor’s comments. Each response should demonstrate a grasp of material drawn from several of the course units.
b. The ability to evaluate the differing perspectives and come to your own conclusions, giving good reasons from the course material for your position.
c. The ability to write with enough clarity that your knowledge, understanding, evaluations and conclusions are communicated clearly to the reader.
Questions:
1. The story of the interaction between aboriginal peoples and Europeans in what is now Canada is a very complex one yet we tend to reduce it to overly simplistic statements. An example of such is that European fur traders, missionaries, settlers and governments easily subdued the weak aboriginal societies into submission. To what extent do you believe that such a statement is true? To what extent do you believe it to be false? Give a number of examples, drawn from a number of course units, to illustrate your position(s).
2. In what ways did the French colonizers in North America and the societies that they produced differ from their British counterparts? Give a number of examples of the differences drawn from various aspects of life and from different course units.
3. The responses of the various British North American colonies to the proposal to confederate into the Dominion of Canada were very different. Upper Canadians generally tended to be supportive. Lower Canadians (French Canadians) were somewhat nervous at first but most came to be supportive. Large numbers of Nova Scotians and New Brunswickerswere opposed to it but various circumstances and British pressure caused them to enter Confederation. Prince Edward Islanders and Newfoundlanders were generally opposed and those colonies initially stayed out of the new dominion. Briefly review the developments in each of these colonies in the decades before Confederation and provide explanations for their responses to Confederation. Make sure that you draw material from other chapters in addition to Chapter 14.