Creation of B.C.. British Columbia: From Colony to Province 1850s great change on Pacific Coast Agriculture community established on Vancouver Island.

British Columbia: From Colony to Province1850’s great change on Pacific CoastAgriculture community established on

Vancouver Island to stop USA expansionHBC looked after area (agent-monopoly)HBC was responsible for settling areaHBC dominant forceJames Douglas: Chief Officer of area

James Douglas

British Columbia: From Colony to Province Settlement grew slowly

Main economies were:1. Farming2. Fur Trading3. Mining- 1st economic boom in B.C. (Gold

Rush)

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush

Prospectors worked there way North looking for gold

1857, prospectors find gold on the Fraser River

25,000 adventurers arrive

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold RushGovernor Douglas was alarmed with all of

the Americans coming. He does 3 things:1. He declared that all miners needed a

license2. Blockade entrance to Fraser to check all

incoming shipping3. Appointed Justice of Peace and police force

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush: Aboriginals upset1858, armed opposition to new arrivals

200 miners gather at Boston Bar to force their way through the blockade

30 Aboriginals killed before Douglas could arrive.

Douglas settles the Aboriginals down and the Gold Rush continues.

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush

1858: Britain declares B.C. as a new colony

Douglas is the 1st Governor.

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush

Moves further North

Miners collect $200 a day in gold

The majority of the gold had to be separated from gravel by sluicing.

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush:Reaching remote mine fields was a problemDouglas builds a wagon road1865: road opens. It stretches 640km, from

Yale to BakervilleIt cost $1, 250, 000Travelers had to pay tolls

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceGold Rush: Results Represents settlement in B.C.Farmers found market for produceMerchants couldn’t keep up stockCoal production increasedTransportation network was createdSmall towns developedGovernment develops2 colonies developed Vancouver Island and

B.C.

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceBritish Columbia enters Confederation1866: B.C. and Vancouver Island unite

Became known as British Columbia

B.C. was feeling squeezed with Dominion of Canada moving further west and the USA in Alaska

Residents had to decide: USA or Canada

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceBritish Columbia enters ConfederationReasons for USA:1. USA had transcontinental railway2. Merchants wanted to be part of big

market-even sent a petition to USA President.

However, the majority wanted to be part of Canada

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceBritish Columbia enters Confederation Amor De Cosmos favoured union with

Canada but wanted best deal 1870: delegation sent to Ottawa

What delegates wanted:1. Delegates wanted Canada to take over their

debt2. Road going west from Fort Garry

British Columbia: From Colony to ProvinceBritish Columbia enters ConfederationHow Canada responds:

1. Canada promises to build a railway within 10 years

2. B.C. would receive a sizeable annual subsidy to cover their debt

Result:July 19th, 1871 B.C. joins Canada and becomes the 6th province