Over the past few years, a number of commentators have argued that we as a nation have reached the end of one stage of our cultural development, but are having trouble finding the way into the next (Tom Henighan, quoted in Conlogue; Kingwell, quoted in Cobbs, A3). I want to develop this theme.
1. introduction
I take the matter of arts funding as an index of this country's commitment to the arts. In funding the arts, our governments at all levels take a middle way, below the European approach, which tends to be complete support, and above the American approach, which tends to be a combination of private patronage and free market (Conlogue). I employ the terms "old order" and "new order" to evoke old world thinking and new world thinking in this matter. I want to identify the dynamics at work here, rather than develop a detailed history of cultural policies.
2. the old order
We begin with the British connection, which for many generations was strong indeed (I follow Bliss 2003a). Great Britain gave birth to British North America and later (1867) the Dominion of Canada. We gained our independence from Britain in 1931, when Parliament in Great Britain passed the Statute of Westminster, clarifying the powers of the dominion governments; at Canada's request, the British Parliament retained the power to amend the BNA Act, i.e., the Canadian constitution.
In short, Canada's political institutions, its economic orientation, the flow of immigrants, its dominant culture were shaped by the Mother Country. The Thirteen Colonies had left (1776) the British Empire in violent revolution and had developed distinctive political and social institutions, leading the world in the development of democracy and individual liberties. Canada...
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...003a, p. A12.
---. "Deux Nations in the socialist North." National Post, 14 January 2003b, p. A14.
---. "The Multicultural North American Hotel." National Post, 15 January 2003c, p. A14.
Cobb, Chris. "What does it mean to be a Canadian?" National Post, 2 July 2005, p. A3.
Conlogue, Ray. "Culture is a Blood Sport." Globe and Mail, 10 May 2001, p. A15.
Fulford, Robert. "How Massey smothered the Arts." National Post, 22 December 2001, p. A16.
Garnham, Nicholas. "Concepts of Culture: Public Policy and the Cultural Industries" (1985). In Ann Gray and Jim McGuigan (eds.), Studying Culture: An introductory Reader. 2nd edn. London: Arnold, 1997, pp. 54-61.
Taylor, Kate. "Fifty Years ago Canada's Culture began to Bloom." Globe and Mail, 6 April 2002, pp. R1 and R10.
Ward, Olivia. "What's in Canadian Culture for the Americans." Calgary Herald, 17 February 1987, p. A 5.
To begin, Canada became an independent nation on paper through two very important papers. The first paper was the Balfour Report at the imperial Conference of 1926, which stated that Britain's dominions were independent communities from Britain. This was the first step to the official declaration of Canada's independence. The second paper was the Statue of Westminster, the Act signed in the Britain that declared the Balfour Report law. This caused the establishing of The Commonwealth of Independent States. These two papers are of great importance in the formal creation of Canada as an autonomous state from Britain.
Stevenson, Garth. "Canadian Federalism: The Myth of the Status Quo." Reinventing Canada: Politics of the 21st Century. Ed. M. Janine Brodie and Linda Trimble. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2003. 204-14. Print.
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
Newman, Garfield et al. Canada A Nation Unfolding. Toronto: Mc Graw – Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000.
In conclusion, Canada was influenced throughout the 1920's by America, that by 1929 Canada became very similar to America in social trends, economics and produce. But has this stopped in modern day era? Canada continues to be heavily influenced by the amount of American products and media outpouring into Canada. Canada has made attempts throughout time to impede the onslaught of American invasion but American invasion is seen on a huge global scale. Hit movies, tv shows, products among others are generally based on American culture, views, or based within American domain. It is a reign yet to be stopped.
It was once stated by F.R.Scott “ There are two miracles in canadian history. The first is the survival of French Canada, and the second is the survival of Canada.” His quote came to reality as of Canada grew to be a stable and secure country where everyone would want to be. Yet to accomplish this, many obstacles and events occurred such as the Spanish Succession war in 1713 , the seven years war in 1763, the constitutional act in 1791 and finally the Act of Union in 1841. First in 1713, the Spanish Succession war occurred where the British took control of Acadia. Soon after that, in 1763 the Seven Years War ended where the British took over New France and was later renamed British North America. Before the British most of the colonies were
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
Canada, G. o. (2013, 05 13). Defining Culture. Retrieved 03 12, 2014, from Statistics Canada: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/87-542-x/2011001/section/s3-eng.htm
Two history texts by Bumstead and Silver will be considered. The manner in which they organize Canadian history into logical and comprehensive periods will be taken into account. Each text establishes a chronological framework and within this, creates historical periods. Each period is intended to represent as logically as possible, the major cultural inclinations, political and social events, and thematic trends occurring within that period. Bumstead and Silver outline several broad periods, then delve into each period with a precise focus. Silver has a social focus within each period, and Bumstead has a thematic focus.
Canada experienced the revolution of changing politics and new ideologies, it was a necessary wave
Canada has become a superior nation thru, perseverance, courage and even care as they persevered thru many dark battles, and made sure they all came thru together as a unit other than individuals. Their courage made there fighting 100% stronger as they wouldn’t back down to any task and they weren’t afraid to lose their life to help a fellow friend and country out. Care played a major aspect in each Canadian heart. There cared about Britain so they weren’t to go help them when they declared war, they helped other troops with their emotional problems and lastly they even cared a little about there enemies as they are the same person, however the only thing separating them is there culture. Canadians contributed in many ways to help our country's great efforts in the First World War.
Finally, if the comparison were ever made a survey, it would really show the full scale of Americanization in Canada. But until now we can only see from the daily life, how American culture is inviting Canada. Today more then ever, Canadians are in real danger of loosing their national identity. It is unfortunate that if the study of this cultural influence will be done few years later, it might be too late to save Canadian culture and identity.
A century ago, Canada was under control by the British Empire. The battles we fought the treaties we signed and the disputes we solved all helped us gain independence from our mother country “Britain”. Canadians fought a long battle protecting others, and from these battles we gained our peaceful reputation and our independence from Britain. Canada became a nation on July, 1st 1867. Although we were an independent country, our affairs and treaties were all still signed by Britain.
... Ed. W. Gordon West and Ruth Morris. Toronto, Canada: A Canadian Scholar? Press, 2000.
Kroeber, A. and C. Klockhohn, Culture: A Critical Review of Concept and Definition New York: Vintage Books, 1989.