question archive Read the article provided and prepare individual written responses to the following: Globe & Mail Editorial, When Canadian inclusiveness began, The Globe & Mail, Sep
Read the article provided and prepare individual written responses to the following: Globe & Mail Editorial, When Canadian inclusiveness began, The Globe & Mail, Sep
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Read the article provided and prepare individual written responses to the following: Globe & Mail Editorial, When Canadian inclusiveness began, The Globe & Mail, Sep. 14, 2009. If it wasn't for the controversy, tomorrow's 250th anniversary of the Battle on the Plains of Abraham might go entirely unnoticed. There have been no stamps, no coins and almost no recognition from Ottawa that anything important might have happened on Sept. 13, 1759. This official disregard for the Battle of Quebec, born of a fear of angering a few perpetually aggrieved separatists, is unfortunate. Not only does it represent a crucial moment in the modern history of Canada but, more importantly, it marks the birth of the great Canadian spirit of cultural accommodation. From a purely historical perspective, it is impossible to ignore the significance of the battle. It settled, once and for all, the question of which crown would control Canada. Further, the cost of winning the war proved so onerous for the British treasury that it necessitated a host of new taxes on American colonies - setting in motion the events of 1776. The trajectories of both Canada and the United States were determined that day. More than the historical fact of Canada was decided on the battlefield, however. Our character was defined there as well. In draft articles of capitulation drawn up before the battle, the victor, Major-General James Wolfe, sketched a new model of British occupation. Despite his reputation as a brutal military leader, Maj.-Gen. Wolfe was prepared to preserve Quebec's unique cultural character and population. "There shall be no innovations in religious matters or any interruption of Divine Service, as it is now preach'd in the Colony," he wrote. Such generosity had not been found at the fall of Louisbourg a year earlier, where the British razed the city and expelled the citizenry. Maj-Gen. Wolfe's more liberal position has proven enduring. It defined the official surrender of Quebec City after his death, as well as the capitulation of Montreal a year later. It found its way into the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and, later, Canada's Constitution. This was not an arrangement inspired entirely by generosity. The British army hoped to avoid the hassle of becoming an occupying force. Co-operation was far more appealing than further confrontation. After the battle, French hospitals served the wounded from both sides, with bilingual British soldiers conscripted as orderlies. Of course not every French habitant willingly accepted British rule, just as today many Quebec nationalists still cling to an emotional connection with the Conquest, in spite of more rational arguments. Nonetheless, the events of Sept. 13, 1759 and its immediate aftermath marked the origin of minority rights and religious freedom in Canada, as well as the acknowledgment that governing this diverse country requires an appreciation for what may be possible, given the circumstances. It is certainly cause for commemoration. Article name: Author: Publisher: Date: 1. What is the main point (thesis/argument) of the article or editorial? (one sentence) 2. Which political issues can you identify? [Look for examples where power is used to change people’s action s or behaviour, and/or examples of conflict over resources or values.] 3. How have the historical events depicted in the article influence Canadian society? 4. As a result of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and the takeover of North America by the British, who were the winners and the losers? What did they win or lose? Provide an example of each.
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Although not nationally recognized, the Battle of Quebec was an important historical event that greatly impacted Canada culturally.
1. "When Canadian Inclusiveness Began" article recognizes this importance in that its main idea revolves on the emphasis of the significance of the battle as it denotes a pivotal moment in Canada's modern history and symbolizes the start of the Canadian spirit of cultural inclusiveness, thus deserves to be commemorated.
2. The power rivalry in the form of politics and commercialization between the French and the Brits began in Europe as both forces sought to outdo the other in terms of resources and, consequently, power. The same case applies in Canada; both superpowers were conflicting on potency and resources. Canada is rich in natural resources, which were desperate in demand in the British and French textile and housing industries back home in Europe. With both countries draining money and resources in their local war in Europe, they needed to capture Canada to recover lost finances and strategic reasons. Quebec especially was a great vantage point that overlooked all ships which entered North America. Henceforth, seizing it would begin the journey to colonize not only Canada but the whole of America. Therefore, the British capturing Quebec was a power play as much as it was for commercial reasons. Additionally, the British allowing the French citizenry to retain their language, religion, and legal system was a power play move that ensured no revolts or opposition against British governance.
3. Despite the battle of Quebec not being commemorated in Canada, it played a crucial part in influencing Canadian society. After prohibiting alterations and innovations in religious matters, Major General Wolfe defined the Canadian character in that it promoted cultural diversity and inclusiveness of all religions (When Canadian Inclusiveness Began, 2009). Additionally, the battle laid a foundation for the emergence of rights of minority and religious freedom in Canada since it resulted in the Quebec Act in 1774, which revoked the Royal Proclamation of 1763.
4. Both the French and British are both in their rights losers and winners due to the war. The French's most significant loss was giving control of Canada to the Brits, and in doing so, they relinquished the potential of Canadian wealth and strategic command over America. Additionally, the French lost the war, resources in the long run, and many people died. However, the small win for the French is that a part of its culture was left in Canada after the Brits allowed the French citizenry to practice their culture, religion, and legal system in Quebec. British was the overall winner of the war, took the spoils in terms of Canadian resources, and positioned themselves strategically for the control of America. However, the bigger picture shows that the British may also be losers of the war. The Quebec battle motivated British colonies such as New York and Massachusetts to revolt, leading to the American Revolution, which ousted the Brits.
