The Great Migration Loyalists Arrive in British North

The Great Migration Loyalists Arrive in British North America (BNA)

Why would people come to Canada? 1. Loyalists - left the United States during and after the American Revolution. 3 types of Loyalists • African American Loyalist – Britian offered freedom to any slave who would join British Troops (3500 came to Nova Scotia) • Aboriginal Loyalists – The Iroquois were allies of the British & were worried their lands would be lost if the Patriots won (5000 Iroquois settled in Canada) • Supporters of the British side during the American civil war

Many Loyalists were supporters of Britain • Political refugees who moved to Quebec & Nova Scotia for safety • They were loyal to the British Empire • Did not want to separate from Britain. • Most farmers, merchants, doctors, & lawyers • AKA “Tories” (British and proud of it!) • Today, the Conservative Party of Canada is referred to as ”Tories”.

Where did they go? • Quebec: travelled by land (1776 -1785) • Nova Scotia: travelled by sea • By 1785, nearly 100, 000 Loyalists left the United States • 40, 000 - 45000 British NA • 34, 000 Nova Scotia

Overnight, population of towns grew from a few hundred to 10, 000. The entire population of Nova Scotia was 12, 000 before the arrival of 35, 000 refugees. There were many disappointments among the Loyalists, who had been promised free land food. Many were dumped ashore and expected to survive on their own. They had come from prosperous farms and now had to start all over again, clearing farmland building houses. The British government split the colony of Nova Scotia (1784) in two and created the colony of New Brunswick. 80% of the settlers in the new colony were Loyalists.

Loyalists - continued The Loyalists were the first large group of English speaking newcomers to settle in Quebec and Nova Scotia. Their experiences during the American Revolution helped make sure that Canada remained connected to England.

The Migration continues. 2 st phase of large-scale immigration 1791 -1812 • “Late Loyalists” • Some “true Loyalists” • Some opportunists – came for cheap land on good locations • Upper Canada’s population rose from 14 000 (1791) to 90 000 (1812)

Consequences • Resulted in two new colonies: • New Brunswick formed from a part of Nova Scotia • Upper Canada and Lower Canada (1791)

Good Idea? Bad Idea? • Splitting Quebec on cultural and linguistic lines has created the problem we have today (separatism) • American Revolution convinced Britain the problem was TOO MUCH FREEDOM – Sought to limit “mob rule” of democracy – Constitutional Act, thus, strengthened the role of the Governor • Decisions made directly by Governor and appointed Council

SOURCE B: Eyewitness sketch of Loyalist refugees at Johnston, Upper Canada 1784 Why would people of Nova Scotia have been not happy to see the Loyalists arrive? Using Source B • What would life have been like in the Loyalist camp in the picture? • What challenges faced the Loyalists even if they were given free land? • Imagine that you are one of the people in the picture. Write a letter to a relative, describing your feelings about your new country.

SOURCE B: Eyewitness sketch of Loyalist refugees at Johnston, Upper Canada 1784 Each person should make a list of all the ”things” a loyalist family would need to start a new life in BNA. Hand this in please.

Why would people come to Canada? Canada 2. Many tenant farmers in Great Britain were being forced to leave their small farms because it was more profitable for the landlords to use the farms to graze sheep. They sold the wool to factories – made more money than renting to farmers

Come to Canada – Con’t 2. Unemployment -the 25 year war in Europe was over and many soldiers were not needed - Machines were taking jobs away from craftspeople (eg. Weavers)

Come to Canada – Con’t 3. In Ireland in the 1840’s, many people were starving because of poor potato crops. Video Alternate link

Come to Canada – Con’t By 1860, the majority of English speaking people in Canada were of Irish Descent. • Irish greatly changed make-up of Canadian society a) They were mostly Catholic b) not necessarily loyal to England • Many preferred cities to farming a) By 1871, there were 846 000 Irish in Canada, out of a population of 3. 5 million b) Only the French outnumbered them

Recruiting Britain was eager to see more people settle in British North America (Canada) so: 1. Immigrants were offered free passage to Canada 2. Soldiers were given great incentives to go to Canada (food for a year, tools, etc) This turned out to be very expensive for the British Government so Private Land companies were formed.

Private Land Companies Land developers were granted large sections of land (Crown Land) and in return, they promised to bring in Settlers.

What to Bring Families should take their Bedding Blankets Sheets, &c. Pewter plates, or wooden treuchers Knives and forks, and spoons Metal cups and mugs Tea kettles, and saucepans Working tools, of all descriptions. (A large tin can, or watering pot would be useful. ) Single Men must have A bed or mattress A metal plate, or wooden trencher Some kind of metal cup or mug Knife, fork, and spoon All, or any of which, may be procured at Portsmouth, if the parties arrive there unprovided. * See Capt. Hale's Instructions, p. 72

More What to Bring The following is the lowest outfit, recommended to Parishes for their Laborers, of course, including such articles as they already possess. A fur cap A warm great coat A flushing jacket & trowsers[sic] A duck frock and trowsers A canvas frock and two pairs of trowsers. Two Jersey frocks Four shirts Four pairs of stockings Three pairs of shoes A bible and prayer book Women in the same proportion, especially a warm cloak. All the above may be purchased at Petworth. • It is also a matter of great importance, that emigrants should take with them a good character, (if they should have the happiness to possess one, ) fairly written, and well attested; also, copies of marriage or baptismal registers, or any other certificates or papers likely to be useful; the whole to be inclosed in a small tin case.

C. Coffin Ships • The voyage lasted 20 -60 days • CARGO ships (made for carrying timber) • Called coffin ships, because when they sank everyone went down with the ship.

Living Conditions • • Primitive Unsanitary Cramped Rat infested

Living Conditions