Settlers
TASK 1: Make a glogster about the first settlers
THE FIRST SETTLERS
Some of the people settled in western Canada came from Ontario and Quebec. Some came from the United States. Others came from different countries in Europe. People who come from one country to live in another are called immigrants.
Why did people want to immigrate to Canada? There were a number of reasons why these people LEFT their homeland and cAme to a strange new land.
They were not allowed freedom of worship.
The government had control over their way of life.
Men were forced to serve in the army.
There were no jobs or the jobs were low-paying jobs.
Many were poor
Farmers wanted to own their own land.
Cities were overcrowded, dirty and polluted.
The Government of Canada was offering free land to those who were willing to settle on the prairies. For many this was an opportunity to own land and have a better life. People were also told that there were plenty of jobs. Some immigrants hoped to make some money and buy land or set up a business.
PREPARING FOR THE LONG JOURNEY
Money was required for the journey. Families had to decide what they would take with them and what had to be left behind. They took only what was really necessary and the rest was left with family and friends or sold. Money was needed to get to a port and to purchase passage on a ship. Train tickets had to be purchased when they arrived in Canada. Food and supplies had to be bought when they reached Canada.
The family had to put all their belongings into a large trunk and three or four large suitcases. Some of the things they packed were clothing - blankets - tools used to make new clothing - pots for cooking - dishes - tools needed for farming - seeds - food for the trip. Before the voyage overseas, the family had to get passports and medical checkups. Finally they were ready to board a ship and cross the ocean to a new country.
For the people who came from Europe, the journey to Canada was a long one. The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean often took two weeks by steamship, and even longer by sailing ships. The steamship was faster than a sailing ship, but most of the steamships were overcrowded and dirty. Many passengers became seasick.
THE OCEAN VOYAGE
The poorer families could not afford a cabin, so they had to sleep below with hundreds of other families. The steerage was a large area under the deck of the ship. Since so many families had to live together there was no privacy. It was damp, crowded and noisy. There was no fresh air to breathe.
In bad weather. People became seasick Many brought their own food. Food spoiled and was unsafe to eat. There were only a few toilets and washbasins provided. The passengers couldn’ t wash themselves or wash their clothes. They wore the same clothes for days. People fell ill because of the cold and the dampness in the steerage. Diseases spread among the passengers. Some did not survive the voyage.
Crossing the ocean took anywhere from ten days to a month depending on the weather and the type of ship. To pass the time, the immigrants went up on the deck when the weather was nice. They played cards, sang and talked with others.
After the ship finally docked at the ports of Halifax, Montreal or Quebec City, the immigrants could not leaveI immediately
They were given medicals and their travel papers were checked over. During this time, they stayed in large buildings called immigration halls. Their next journey was by train to the prairies.
HEADING WEST
The immigrants travelled in train cars called "colonial cars". The journey by train from Quebec to western Canada took from four to six days. The trains were often overcrowded and without heat. There were many delays. Passengers had to bring their own food or buy food during the trip.
OthHER SETTLERS
Families who came to Canada from the United States often travelled in covered wagons. The wagons were made of wood and metal and were pulled by horses or oxen. All the belongings were packed in the wagons - cooking pots, clothing, tools and furniture. They also brought along a cow and some chickens.
TRAVELLING IN COVERED WAGONS
In the wagon was everything that family would need - bedding, clothing, pots, pans and dishes, food and water, butter churn, washtub and pails. The pioneers also brought hunting gear (guns and ammunition) and some furniture. Tools (crow-bar, axes, shovels, hammer) and other supplies were hung on the sides of the wagon.
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