Canadian History and Geography Flashcards

What was the Indian Act of 1876, and what was its primary impact?

Answer: Federal legislation that controlled many aspects of Indigenous peoples' lives and imposed assimilation policies

The Indian Act gave the federal government wide control over First Nations peoples' lives, land, and governance, and was used to enforce assimilation.

What was the significance of the Statute of Westminster (1931) for Canada?

Answer: It gave Canada full legislative independence from Britain, making it a fully sovereign nation

The Statute of Westminster granted Canada and other Dominions full legislative independence, meaning Britain could no longer legislate for Canada without its consent.

Which mountain range runs along the western edge of Canada?

Answer: The Rockies and Coast Mountains

The Rocky Mountains and the Coast Mountains form the major mountain ranges along Canada's western edge in British Columbia and Alberta.

What was the Meech Lake Accord?

Answer: A 1987 constitutional agreement that recognized Quebec as a 'distinct society' but ultimately failed to be ratified

The Meech Lake Accord was a package of constitutional amendments (1987) intended to bring Quebec into the Constitution Act, 1982, but it failed when Manitoba and Newfoundland did not ratify it.

The Canadian Shield is geographically significant because it:

Answer: Covers over half of Canada's landmass and contains vast mineral and freshwater resources

The Canadian Shield is an ancient rock formation covering more than half of Canada and is rich in minerals, forests, and freshwater lakes.

Why was the National Policy introduced by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald in 1879?

Answer: To protect Canadian manufacturing with tariffs, build the CPR, and encourage western settlement

The National Policy combined high tariffs on imports, construction of the CPR, and settlement of the prairies to build a strong Canadian economy.