THE NATIONAL DREAM NATIONAL DREAM Visions of a

THE NATIONAL DREAM

NATIONAL DREAM Visions of a Canada that spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific was an idea that began before the time of confederation. This vision was more formalized when British Columbia agreed to join Confederation in 1871. When BC began negotiating to join Confederation in 1868, its leaders came to the table with the requests that Canada take on BC’s debt and that a wagon road be created to connect BC with the East.

NATIONAL DREAM British Columbia got more than the wagon road it asked for…

NATIONAL DREAM Ottawa promised a railroad to built within ten years!

NATIONAL DREAM The MYP question for this unit is “Why go West? ” Why do you think John A. Macdonald so eager to bring British Columbia into Confederation and build a railroad?

NATIONAL DREAM Reasons to build a railroad? Improved transportation and communication Concern of assimilation by the United States The west could be a place market to sell goods produced in the east The west could be a source of raw materials for goods Others?

TRANSPORTATION Improved transportation and communication Consider the following two maps:

TRANSPORTATION Improved transportation and communication Consider the following two maps:

TRANSPORTATION Improved transportation and communication Consider the following two maps:

TRANSPORTATION

ASSIMILATION TO THE UNITED STATES Why was Canada be concerned about assimilation into the United States? Was this concern substantiated?

ASSIMILATION TO THE UNITED STATES During the 19 th Century some influential Americans believed that the United States was destined to expand across all of North America and advocated for this cause. If Canada did not settle the west quickly, John A. Macdonald feared that America would claim it as its own. There was also a movement in British Columbia to join the United States, particularly on Vancouver Island.

ASSIMILATION TO THE UNITED STATES Population and resources

MARKETS AND RAW MATERIALS During the 1870 s Canada’s economy was hurt by cheaper American goods. American products could be produced more cheaply than those made in Canada. As a result, products manufactured in Canada could effectively only be sold in Canada

MARKETS AND RAW MATERIALS Macdonald had a vision that the west would become a market where goods manufactured in the east could be sold. In order to pay for these manufactured goods, those that settled in the west would grow crops that would earn them income. The crops grown in the west would also be exported abroad.

THE PROPOSED RAILROAD – DIFFERING VIEW POINTS Critical Thinking! o In a group, assume the role of someone living in the 1870 s in one of the following locations: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario/Quebec, Nova Scotia/New Brunswick? Some questions to consider: o How might the proposed railway affect you? o What concerns might you have? o How might you benefit? o Do you support the project going ahead?

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Although British Columbia’s joining Confederation in 1871 came with the promise that the railroad would be built within 10 years, this was delayed somewhat due to a number of reasons. o What do you think was the biggest obstacle in making the railroad a reality?

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION Answer: Money.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Macdonald’s government had no intentions of building the railway itself. o Instead the government looked for private investors and companies to take on the project in return for financial benefits upon completion. o There were few individuals in Canada at the time who had the money to build the railway on their own.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o While attempting to find an investor that would build the railway, Macdonald’s Conservative party found itself embroiled in the “Pacific Scandal”. o This scandal entailed the promise of a guaranteed contract for the railway to Hugh Allan in exchange for contributions to the Conservative party. o The Pacific Scandal resulted in the election of Alexander Mackenzie and the Liberals in the 1873.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Alexander Mackenzie had no interest in building the railway believing it would far too expensive. o As a result, no track was laid during the five years of Mackenzie’s Liberal government. o The Canadian Pacific Survey did however survey all the possible routes the railway would take during this time in case this information might become useful.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o How do you think British Columbians reacted to a lack of progress on the railway?

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Reaction was extremely negative. o Politicians from BC lobbied the federal government and protested to the Governor General o There was even a movement in favour of leaving confederation.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o As the 1870 s progressed, memory of the Pacific Scandal began to fade and the political fortunes of Macdonald and the Conservatives improved. o In 1876 the “National Policy” was developed. o What do you think the name “National Policy” might imply its main purpose is?

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o It’s primary objective was to unite the many separate regions in Canada as really being one country. o This goal would be achieved using a three pronged approach. Any guesses what these are? o 1. o 2. o 3.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o 1. Introduce a series of tariffs o 2. Build the railway connecting the east and west o 3. Settle the west Contemplate for a moment how Canadian history might be different had the National Policy not been introduced. How might things be different?

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o The 1878 election was fought over the issues of the National Policy o There was a strong contrast between positions taken by the Liberals and the Conservatives in this election. o The Liberals favoured free trade rather than tariffs. They also continued to believe the railway was too financially risky to build.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Macdonald and the Conservatives won the election and began implementing the National Policy. o In 1879, tariffs were introduced helping to protect Canadian manufacturers. Industries affected included textiles, iron and steel, coal, and petroleum products. The tariffs were between 10 and 30%.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o In 1880, Macdonald pitched a proposal for the railway to a group of three investors. These were George Stephen, Donald Smith and James J. Hill. o It was an offer the investors could not refuse. o Upon completion of the railway they would receive $25 million dollars and 25 million acres of land, mostly in the prairies. They would also have a monopoly of rail traffic west of Lake Superior for the next 20 years. Let’s put that into perspective…

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION $25 million in the 1880 s would be worth $625 million today. Modern comparisons? Vancouver Olympics (2010): $1. 6 billion Vancouver Convention Center (2009): $883 million Three new “Coastal” BC Ferries (2008): $542 million Save on Foods Memorial Center (2005): $30 million

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION “$25 million dollars and 25 million acres of land, mostly in the prairies. They would also have a monopoly of rail traffic west of Lake Superior for the next 20 years. ” Any thoughts on implications of this? Discuss with a partner.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Work on the CPR was finally able to begin in 1881 o Shortly after being approved, the investors (CPR syndicate) changed the route to have more control of the project. o The route of the CPR had a significant impact on where new cities and towns would be created. o Changing the route meant the survey information collected during the previous decade was irrelevant.

THE PATH TO RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o Red: Original route from 1880 s o Blue: Current route

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o What do you already know about the experience of building the railway? o How was it built? o Can you describe the workers? o What were working conditions like? o How difficult was it?

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o At the peak of construction more 35 000 were involved in building the railway. o The wage was $1. 00 -2. 50 per day (worth roughly $2255 today). o To earn this, workers had terrible living and working conditions. They had to contend with dust, insects, overcrowding and filth. o Their diet was also unhealthy and lacked variety. No fruits and vegetables.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o The CPR was also built entirely by hand. That meant dangerous, back breaking work for these workers. o Those who were injured were never compensated. o Hundreds more died in accidents. o http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=o 87 Mgk. GAqe. U

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o As many as 17 000 Chinese workers came to Canada to work on the railway as labourers. o These workers received the lowest wage of about $1. 00 a day. o They also had to pay for food, and cooking and camping gear out of this while other workers did not. o Chinese workers were also given the hardest and most dangerous work. o In 2006 the Canadian government issued a formal apology to the Chinese population in Canada for their treatment both during and following the construction of the CPR.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o William Van Horne was hired to manage the building of the CPR in 1881. o Van Horne’s no nonsense management style ensured the building of the CPR was an efficient operation. o Instead of taking 10 years to build the CPR, Van Horne’s leadership ensured it was completed in less than five.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest obstacles to building the CPR was money. o As the only received payment from the Canadian Government after sections of track were completed the money ran out in 1883. o Workers could not be paid, which resulted in a strike. o The Canadian Government reluctantly gave the CPR a $22. 5 million loan to finish the railway. A further $5 million loan was given in 1885.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION o As money for the railway was somewhat limited Van Horne cut corners as much as he could. o The most expensive sections of the railway were those through the Rocky Mountains involving steep inclines and declines. o Rather than have a gradual decent, Van Horne had sections built with steep grades as high as 4. 5%. o Grades this steep are quite dangerous and accidents did occur. The CPR later changed the track in the early 1900 s to make these sections safer

COMPLETION! o Finally on November 7, 1885 the last spike was driven in at Craigellechie, British Columbia!