Chapter 26.1

Master Canada's Westward Territorial Expansion in Early Democracy

Discover how Canada grew from eastern provinces to a continental nation through railway construction, government policies, and territorial acquisition.

What You'll Learn

Canada acquired Rupert's Land doubling the nation's territorial size
Canadian Pacific Railway connected eastern provinces with British Columbia
Government policies encouraged settlement through free prairie homesteads
Expansion caused environmental damage and displaced Indigenous communities

What You'll Practice

1

Analyze territorial acquisition impacts on Indigenous peoples and wildlife

2

Examine railway construction's role in connecting Canadian provinces

3

Evaluate government policies that facilitated westward settlement expansion

Why This Matters

This topic helps students understand how historical expansion policies continue to influence modern Canadian society, Indigenous relations, and environmental challenges.

This Unit Includes

Practice exercises
Learning resources

Skills

Territorial Expansion
Nation Building
Historical Analysis
Government Policy
Indigenous Relations
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NS Curriculum Aligned

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