Transcript The Great Migration

The Great Migration
1815-1838
Upper Canada
After the War of 1812, waves of settlers from
Great Britain (Ireland, Scotland, England,
and Wales) took their place.
In 1832 – 50,000 people came to Canada
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
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 and 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 and 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.
SOURCE B: Eyewitness sketch of Loyalist refugees at Johnston, Upper Canada 1784
Using Source A
•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.
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.
Why would people come to
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 trowsersTwo 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