Grade 7 - Social Studies

Toward Confederation

Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions

Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of, and the relationships among, the Aboriginal, French and British peoples in forging the foundations of Canadian Confederation. 

Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the political, demographic, economic and social changes that have occurred since Confederation have presented challenges and opportunities for individuals and communities. 

Values and Attitudes

Knowledge and Understanding

Values and Attitudes

Knowledge and Understanding

Appreciate the influence of diverse Aboriginal, French and British peoples on events leading to Confederation 

Appreciate the challenges of co-existence among peoples 

Compare and contrast diverse social and economic structures within the societies of Aboriginal, French and British peoples in pre-Confederation Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues: 

Assess, critically, the economic competition related to the control of the North American fur trade by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Assess, critically, the political competition between the French and the British in attempting to control North America by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Assess, critically, how political, economic and military events contributed to the foundations of Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Recognize the positive and negative aspects of immigration and migration 

Recognize the positive and negative consequences of political decisions

Appreciate the challenges that individuals and communities face when confronted with rapid change

Assess, critically, the role, contributions and influence of the Red River Métis on the development of western Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Evaluate the impact of Confederation and of subsequent immigration on Canada from 1867 to the First World War by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Assess, critically, the impacts of social and political changes on individual and collective identities in Canada since 1918 by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Assess, critically, the impact of urbanization and of technology on individual and collective identities in Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

What were the different ways in which Aboriginal societies were structured (i.e., Iroquois Confederacy, Ojibwa, Mi’kmaq)? 

How did the structures of Aboriginal societies affect decision making in each society (i.e., role and status of women, consensus building)?

What were the social and economic factors of European imperialism? (

In what ways did European imperialism impact the social and economic structures of Aboriginal societies?

How was European imperialism responsible for the development of Acadia, New France and British settlements?

Who were the key figures in the French exploration and settlement of North America? 

What roles did the Royal Government and the Catholic Church play in the social structure of New France (i.e., governor, intendant, Jesuits, religious congregations)? 

Who were the key figures in the British exploration and settlement of North America?

What role did the British government play in the settlement of North America?  

How did the First Nations, French, British and Métis peoples interact with each other as participants in the fur trade? 

How did the fur trade contribute to the foundations of the economy in North America? 

How was Britain’s interest in the fur trade different from that of New France? 

How was economic development in New France impacted by the changing policies of the French Royal Government? 

What was the role of mercantilism before and after the 1763 Treaty of Paris?

In what ways did conflicts between the French and the British in Europe impact North America?

How did conflicts between the French and the British in Europe become factors in the Great Deportation of the Acadians in 1755? 

To what extent was the Battle of the Plains of Abraham the key event in achieving British control over North America?

How was British North America impacted by rebellion in the 13 colonies and by the subsequent Loyalist migration? 

What was the role and intent of Chief Pontiac in controlling British forts?

How was the Royal Proclamation of 1763 an attempt to achieve compromise between the Aboriginal peoples, the French and the British?

How did the Québec Act of 1774 contribute to the foundations of Canada as an officially bilingual country?

What was the role of Chief Tecumseh in the War of 1812?

How did the War of 1812 contribute to British identity in Canada?

How did the War of 1812 contribute to defining Canada’s political boundaries?

How was the Great Migration of 1815–1850 in Upper Canada and Lower Canada an attempt to confirm British identity in the Province of Canada?

How was the Act of Union of 1840 an attempt to resolve the issues raised by the 1837 and 1838 Rebellions in Lower Canada and Upper Canada?

To what extent was Confederation an attempt to provide the populations of Québec and Ontario with increased control over their own affairs?

To what extent was Confederation an attempt to strengthen the Maritime colonies? 

What factors led to Louis Riel’s emergence as the leader of the Métis? 

What similarities and differences exist between the causes of the Red River Resistance in 1869 and the causes of the second Métis uprising in 1885?

How did the Government of Canada’s response to the Red River Resistance and the second Métis uprising solidify Canada’s control of the West?

To what extent were the Red River Resistance and the second Métis uprising means to counter assimilation?

What were the Métis, First Nations, French and British perspectives on the events that led to the establishment of Manitoba?

How was the creation of Manitoba an attempt to achieve compromise between the Métis, First Nations, French and British peoples?

To what extent were the Manitoba Schools Act and evolving educational legislation in the Northwest Territories attempts to impose a British identity in western Canada? 

What factors led to the purchase of Rupert’s Land in 1869?

How did the National Policy determine the economic and demographic aspects of Canadian expansion? 

How did changing demographics resulting from Clifford Sifton’s immigration policies affect the collective identity of Francophones in communities across western Canada? 

How did Asian immigrants contribute to the development of Canada (i.e., Chinese railway workers)? 

In what ways did the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway affect the growth of Canada? 

What was the role of the North West Mounted Police in the development of western Canada?

What strategies were used by the government to encourage immigration from Europe? 

What strategies were used by religious communities and missionaries to encourage migration and immigration to western Canada from eastern Canada and the United States? 

What impact did immigration have on Aboriginal peoples and on communities in Canada? 

How did communities, services and businesses established by Francophones contribute to the overall development of western Canada (i.e., health, education, churches, commerce, politics, journalism, agriculture)?

How did immigrants from eastern Europe contribute to the development of western Canada (i.e., health, education, churches, commerce, politics, journalism, agriculture)? 

To what extent was agricultural activity a key factor in the population growth of western Canada? 

What factors led to British Columbia’s joining Confederation? 

What factors led to Prince Edward Island’s joining Confederation? 

How were the needs of varied populations considered through the creation of Alberta and of Saskatchewan?

What were the underlying reasons for the negotiation of the numbered treaties? 

What were the reasons for, and the consequences of, Newfoundland’s joining Confederation?

How did joining Confederation impact the citizens of Newfoundland?

What are the social and economic effects of the changing roles and images of women in Canadian society (i.e., right to vote, working conditions, changing family structures)? 

What challenges and opportunities have emerged as a result of increases in the Aboriginal population in western Canada?

How has the Official Languages Act contributed to bilingualism in Canada?

How have Canadian immigration policies contributed to increased diversity and multiculturalism within the Canadian population?

What strategies and conditions are needed for the Franco-Albertan community to counter assimilation?

What impact has increased urbanization had on rural communities in Canada?

How did the emergence of large factories in Canada contribute to the development of Canada’s economy?

In what ways did technological advances contribute to the development of Canada (e.g., aviation, farming equipment, radio transmissions, electronics, multimedia)?

What effects have La Société Radio-Canada (SRC) and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) had on Canadian identity?