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The Colony of Vancouver Island to 1858

The Colony of Vancouver Island to 1858. BC to 1896. US territorial exapnsion. By mid-1840’s: US wanted to expand its territory Wanted to claim the Oregon Territory Britain wouldn’t give up its claim Boundary extended along the 49 th parallel to the Pacific Ocean

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The Colony of Vancouver Island to 1858

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  1. The Colony of Vancouver Island to 1858 BC to 1896

  2. US territorial exapnsion • By mid-1840’s: US wanted to expand its territory • Wanted to claim the Oregon Territory • Britain wouldn’t give up its claim • Boundary extended along the 49th parallel to the Pacific Ocean • Vancouver Island remained in British hands • All Br. territory S. of 19th parallel became Am. territory (incl. Fort Vancouver and Puget Sound)

  3. British territory • Br. G’ment decided its territory on the Pacific coast required a more official presence than the HBC • Created Crown Colony of Vancouver Island • BR. gave HBC a trade monopoly • HBC had to sell land to Br. settlers

  4. James Douglas • Governor of the colony • Encouraged British settlement of the colony • Free grants of land to prospective colonists • Br. G’ment had different idea • Wanted to recreate the English class system • Settlers: purchase land at £1/acre (min. purchase: 20 acres) • More than 100 acres: bring at least 5 people to work the land

  5. Settlers • Old system of rural England being transported to Canada • Sm. # would be land owners • Many servants to farm the land • Only settlers in 1849: ex-HBC employees • Already acquired much of the best farmland

  6. Economy • Dominated by HBC in 1850’s • Began to diversify • Coal discovered near Nanaimo in 1840’s • Immigrants arrived: intention of starting mining operation • Customer lined up: Royal Navy • Esquimalt harbor: naval base • Mid-1850’s: more mine est. further north

  7. Upper Class • Royal Navy: huge role in the social life of Fort Victoria • Douglas not impressed by the new upper class • Was a fur trader, married to Métis (Amelia) • View shared by many of ex-HBC employees

  8. Legislative Assembly • 1856 • Partly in response to complaints from ex-HBC employees that Van. Island was becoming a private club upper class • 7 elected representatives • People couldn’t vote unless they owned property • Only about 40 of colony’s 450 adult citizens could vote • Douglas insisted on retaining final authority in the colony • LA could pass resolutions, no authority to enforce them • LA had authority to grant $ for g’ment’s use

  9. First Nations • 1855 census: 30,000 Native peoples on Van. Island • Douglas would have to negotiate with Native peoples in order for colony to prosper • Rich farmlands occupied by Native peoples • Douglas decided to negotiate treaties with FN

  10. The Douglas Treaties • FN would surrender their lands to the Europeans • Would retain hunting and fishing rights • Seemed as if Douglas was leasing the land from Native peoples • Annual compensation of £2 10 shillings per family • Some people say Douglas confirmed the FN had title to the lands • G’ments of Britain, Canada, and BC have all acknowledged this title • Only treaties of this nature negotiated in BC in 19th century

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