Atlantic Canada Study

In Atlantic Canada, Margaret R. Conrad and James K. Hiller provide a detailed account of ester Canadian history from the time of Early Contact with the indigenous peoples. The history of Canada consists of various part like culture, economy, political, women and others. And economy is an indispensable part to tell Canadian’s history. In assessing Margaret R. Conrad and James K. Hiller’s work, they present their argument with a balanced use of appeals. As my response, I agree with the authors that they carefully added Newfoundland and Labrador as a part of Atlantic region in order to introduce the history of east coast as a whole. However, there are always something that I want to know more about the region as a student comes from overseas.

Summary of Economy

 The early exploration of the Atlantic region was driven by the desire for trade. At first, many explorers tried to find gold and spices in North America; however, their voyages ended in disappointment. Afterwards, at the time of returning, the first generation of explorers found that there is a more profitable source, which is fish. The reason why source of fish is profitable was fish contain more protein, and was easy to transport and preserve. Afterwards, Atlantic region rapidly became one of the biggest pole in the world, as a result, there were at least 400 European ships each year and carrying almost 200,000 metric tonnes of cod back in 1580s.

At sixteen centuries, because fisheries were seasonal, therefore, fur trade, which was one of the most important economic pattern, developed gradually in order to promote economic development. At first, the aboriginal peoples were usually trade fur to European and got some knives, axes and other iron goods. After 1580s, the European demanded more and more hats made of felted beaver fur, therefore fur trade became well established.

From 1815 to 1860, Atlantic region became maturing colonial societies. Farming, fishing, and shipbuilding helped to establish communities. Also, many infrastructures like churches, schools, and colleges were built. In 1840, people accepted free trade pattern because Great Britain abolished mercantile system. Industries gradually changed from 1873 to 1901; therefore, so many Maritimers had to face a difficult transition from dependence on export to a diversified economy due to the fast-paced industrial age. As a result, “National Policy” was issued and the whole economic pattern changes. According to the policy, there were more and more transcontinental railway needed to be built, western territories had to be developed and all imported goods needed to be imposed a high tariff. Therefore, Canadian industries could have a stronger competition than the United States. What’s more, the central industry shows a better situation in maritime province, however, and forest industry in New Brunswick suffered a bad lose because amount of lumber and wooden ships that British need decrease.

During the period if end of first World War and beginning of the second World War, the economy of Newfoundland and Maritime suffer a big damage, poverty, unemployment and labour unrest became a big economic problem. However, some industries were still doing well. According to the data, the gross value of production in the Maritimes actually increase 17.3%. (P201 Economic uncertainty). In the late 1920s, one of the biggest economic crisis “The Great Depression” began from USA and spread to the whole world, prices fell, markets collapsed and unemployment climbed. According to the data, by 1931 almost 20% of wage earners were employed. From 1933, the government adopted a serious of polities in order to help economic recovery.

In 1950s, the fisheries, which is the keystone of economy, suffered a crisis. For the first generation of explorers, people seemed the source of fish like an inexhaustible treasure, therefore, the fishing vessels from Canada, Western Europe, Iceland, the Soviet Union, and elsewhere fished indiscriminately and intensively, without regarding the health of stocks as a result, Canada issued policies to declare 200 miles marine limit in 1977 in order to save fisheries economy.

Form twentieth century, the government began to rebuild economy. In different region in Canada, they had their own way to increase economy. For example, Prince Edward Island built Confederation Bridge, and this construction gave a welcome boost to PEI’s economy. The biggest economy development was that the government found there were lots of offshore oil and gases reserve, with the following years, the Canadian economy reached a dramatic increase.