Ontario Teachers' Manuals: History Part 16

_Outline of Terms:_

See _Ontario Public School History of Canada_, p. 215. Provision made for admission of new provinces.

_Expansion of Confederation:_

Admission of other provinces--Manitoba, 1870; British Columbia, 1871; Prince Edward Island, 1873; Alberta and Saskatchewan, 1905; Yukon territory also represented in the Dominion Parliament.

NOTES OF A LESSON ON THE INFLUENCE OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS ON THE HISTORY OF A COUNTRY

CORRELATION OF HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

GENERAL

The history of a nation is influenced very largely by geographical facts. Its internal relations, whether friendly or hostile, are affected by these. Natural barriers, such as mountains, seas, or great lakes and rivers, are often political frontiers exerting protecting or isolating influence.

Its industrial progress depends primarily upon its natural products--minerals, grains, woods, fish, etc., and the facilities which its structure affords for trade, both domestic and foreign. A sea-coast, with satisfactory harbours, tends to produce a sea-faring people, and therefore a trading people.

The character of its people is conditioned by the zone in which the nation is situated. In the north temperate zone is the climate best suited for the growth of peoples vigorous in mind and body, and lovers of freedom.

ENGLAND

_Position:_ The forming of the Straits of Dover cut off a corner of Europe, made Great Britain an island, and later a single political unit.

Situated between Europe and America with ports opening toward each, her position gives her the opportunity for naval and commercial greatness.

The narrow sea separating her from the continent is a defence in war and a means of intercourse in peace.

_Structure:_ Two regions--one of plain, the other of hills; a line drawn from the mouth of the Tees to the mouth of the Severn and continued to the south coast roughly divides these regions. The part lying east of this line is, roughly speaking, level and fertile, tempting emigration from the continent, and easily explored inward. The Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes found their way into this plain through the rivers that flowed east and south. The Pennines, the Welsh Peninsula, and the southwest of England from Bristol are in the hilly part, which, because of its mineral wealth, has become the great industrial district.

_Climate:_ Though England lies north of the fiftieth parallel, the moist southwest winds from the ocean temper the climate, making the winters mild and the summers cool, a climate favourable to the growth of a vigorous race. There is an abundant rainfall.

_Products:_ On the plains a fertile soil supported a large agricultural, and therefore self-contained, population in the earlier days, and the slopes furnished pasturage for cattle and sheep. Proximity to coal is an almost indispensable condition for industries, though other considerations come in. In the hill country coal and iron, essential materials for a manufacturing nation, lie near to the deposits of limestone necessary for smelting the iron ore. The coal-fields on or near the coast are centres of s.h.i.+pbuilding; and the interior coal-fields the centres of the great textile industries. Because of her insular position and fleets of s.h.i.+ps the raw products from other countries can be brought to England easily and cheaply, and then s.h.i.+pped out as manufactured goods.

Consult: _A Historical Geography of the British Empire_. Hereford B.

George, Methuen & Co., London. _The Relations of Geography and History_.

Hereford B. George, Clarendon Press, Oxford.

ANOTHER FORM OF THE LESSON

The teacher will announce the topic for discussion, namely, how the history of Great Britain has been affected by her insular position.

_T._--Trace on the map the coast line of Great Britain. (Pupil does so.) What do you notice about the coast line in comparison to the size of the Island?

_P._--It is very irregular and has a good many bays and inlets.

_T._--Would this have any effect on the life and occupations of the people?

_P._--They would almost have to be sailors.

_T._--In other words, a maritime people. Do you think that is usual? Look at the coast line of j.a.pan. (Cla.s.s sees that it is much the same as that of Britain: the j.a.panese are also a maritime race.) What is one occupation the people would follow?

_P._--They would probably be fishermen. (The teacher may give some idea of the extent of the fis.h.i.+ng. The same may be done with each new point, as it comes up.)

_T._--What else would they do?

_P._--They would probably engage in trade or commerce.

_T._--With which countries? Study the map for a moment.

_P._--With those on the west of Europe, and with America.

_T._--Yes. You must notice that Great Britain is situated very favourably for trade with the whole world. Is there anything on the map to show this?

_P._--There are a great many lines on the map that show the water routes from Britain to almost every country in the world.

_T._--Suppose Britain had trouble with any other country that might be a cause of war, would her position make any difference to her?

_P._--No country could attack her except by water.

_T._--How would she defend herself?

_P._--She would have to depend on her s.h.i.+ps. (A good opening for a brief outline of the growth of the navy.)

_T._--Where would she get her s.h.i.+ps?

_P._--She builds them herself.

_T._--Isn't she dependent on any other nation at all?

_P._--No, she has always had the material in her own country for that.

_T._--What are they built of?

_P._--The old s.h.i.+ps were wooden, and she had plenty of the best timber,--oak.

_T._--What are they built of to-day?

_P._--Most of them are of iron.

_T._--Where does she get that?

_P._--From her own mines.

_T._--Now, look at the lat.i.tude of Britain. What part of our country has the same lat.i.tude?