History Flashcards

Which Act of the British Parliament originally gave Canada its constitution in 1867, and what was it renamed to in 1982?

Answer: The British North America Act, renamed the Constitution Act, 1867

The British North America Act of 1867 was the foundational legislation that united the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada. When Canada patriated its constitution in 1982, this act was renamed the Constitution Act, 1867.

The Statute of Westminster (1931) was a landmark for Canada primarily because it:

Answer: Gave Canada full legislative independence from Britain, except over its own constitution

The Statute of Westminster granted Canada and other Dominions the ability to pass laws independently of Britain. However, Canada's own constitution still required amendment by Westminster until full patriation in 1982, which is why that exception is key to understanding the statute's limits.

Which of the following best describes the outcome of the 1837–1838 Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada?

Answer: They were violently suppressed and resulted in the Act of Union (1841), which merged the two Canadas

The rebellions led by Louis-Joseph Papineau in Lower Canada and William Lyon Mackenzie in Upper Canada were crushed militarily. The subsequent Durham Report recommended uniting the two Canadas, leading to the Act of Union of 1841. Responsible government came later, in 1848.

Canada's 'National Policy,' introduced by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald in 1879, combined three main pillars. Which combination is correct?

Answer: High tariffs on imports, construction of a transcontinental railway, and settlement of the West

Macdonald's National Policy had three interconnected goals: protective tariffs to shield Canadian manufacturing from U.S. competition, completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway to link the nation coast to coast, and aggressive immigration to populate and develop the Prairie West.

The Persons Case of 1929 ruled that women were legally 'persons' under Canadian law. Which court made this final ruling, and which earlier court had ruled against it?

Answer: The British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled in favour; the Supreme Court of Canada had ruled against

The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled in 1928 that women were NOT 'persons' eligible for Senate appointment. The Famous Five appealed to the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which overturned that decision in 1929 and declared women to be persons under the law.

Which event triggered Canada's invocation of the War Measures Act in October 1970, and which Prime Minister authorized it?

Answer: The FLQ kidnapping of British trade commissioner James Cross and Quebec Minister Pierre Laporte; Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau

The October Crisis of 1970 was triggered by the FLQ (Front de libération du Québec), which kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte (who was later murdered). Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, suspending civil liberties and allowing mass arrests — a deeply controversial decision.