CANADIAN ECONOMIC HISTORY
ECONOMICS 310
OCTOBER 1999
STUDY GUIDE FOR FALL MID-TERM
Structure of the examination: There will be three sections. Section A will contain two questions. You will answer one. Section B will also contain two questions. You will answer one. Questions in sections A and B will be worth 45 points each. Section C will contain questions on the three presentations made to class. You must answer one of them (but you may not answer the question on your own presentation.) These questions will be worth 10 points each. Time spent on the questions should be proportionate to the points allocated.
1. Explain why the Spanish discovery of the New World had a lasting impact on the economies of the new and old world while the Viking discovery of the New World had no lasting impact.
2. Compare and contrast the impact of Europeans on native peoples in Central America and on native peoples in Canada, giving explanations for the differences.
3. Use the staples model to explain the impact of fish, fur and sugar production on the pace and nature of economic development. Which staple was better for the economic development of a region? Justify your answer.
4. How would the evolution of Canada's economy differed if there had been no European demand for furs in the 17th and 18thcenturies? How would the evolution of Canada's economy differed if the French government had not taken direct control of the colony during the second half of the 17th century?
5. Compare and contrast trading relations between the French and the native peoples before 1650 with trading relations after 1650.
6. Using the staples thesis, describe the linkages of the fur trade and discuss the contribution of that industry to the economic and political development of Canada.
7. Discuss the place of Canada in trade within North America and between North America and Europe in the 17th and the 18th centuries.
8. Discuss the importance of military alliances between native peoples and Europeans to the evolution of the fur trade.
9. Describe the obligations of the censitaire in the seigniorial system. What impact did the system have on the economic development of New France?
10. Discuss the role of agriculture in the economy of New France and describe its place in trade in the New World.
11. Describe the seigneurial system established in New France and discuss the impact that system of land granting had on the economic well-being of the habitant.
12. Discuss the major tenants of mercantilism and explain how the colonies of New France and Newfoundland met the policy goals of their governments.
13. The Old World governments which promoted settlement in the New World believed that the colony should serve the interests of the mother country. Discuss the benefits mother countries expected to receive from their colonies and indicate which colonies of all those in the New World best met the goals of the mother countries.
14. The early history of the regions which became Canada consisted of a few relatively unimportant colonies in the new world. Survey the various new world colonies, outlining the nature of their economies and their relationships to each other, and discuss the extent to which their economic activities met the mercantilist goals of their mother country.
15. The Acadians grew grain and a variety of other crops on the diked marshlands. By the early nineteenth century, the English settlers used those marshlands almost entirely as pasture. Briefly explain why the change in land use occurred
16. The English colony of New England developed a thriving commerce with the West Indies and Europe. Quebec's commerce was not nearly as vigorous. Outline the major reasons for the differences in economic performance.