Following the l763 conquest, the influential British military establishments occupied a prominent place in many Canadian urban centres. Britain sent thousands of soldiers and sailors to British North America to secure its frontiers and assist with its administration. Their contribution to defence, the maintenance of civil order, surveying, engineering, and cultural life helped shape Canada's social and economic fabric. This section of the Canada Hall explores the role officers and servicemen played in the administrative, cultural, social, and scientific aspects of colonial life between 1760 and 1871.
The War of
1812 with the United States underscored the vulnerability of British
North America. The St. Lawrence-Great Lakes axis, a populated but poorly
defended border region, was particularly at risk. As the population
increased in the American Midwest,
the
Prairies also became open to attack.
All of these factors contributed to a major initiative to improve Canada's
defence in the first half of the nineteenth century.
The exhibit entitled The Geography of Defence focuses on efforts to
fortify the borders of British North America through the construction of
citadels, forts, and blockhouses. Equally important was the construction
of roads, bridges, and canals to permit easy and rapid displacement of
troops, arms, and equipment. The largest and most expensive of these
initiatives was the
Rideau
Canal, which links the eastern edge of the Great Lakes to the Ottawa
Valley. The canal provided a safe route for both civilian and military
boats to travel between
Upper
and Lower Canada, in case the upper St. Lawrence River was ever blocked
by the Americans.
Since it is difficult to defend territory without a thorough knowledge of the land, surveying and map making became essential tasks of the British military. The exhibit entitled The Military Engineer as Land Surveyor highlights the achievements of Samuel Holland, a military surveyor, cartographer, and engineer who surveyed Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton in the l760s. In addition to designing military works, Holland founded a system of surveys based on farm lots, parishes, and townships in Lower and Upper Canada.
The military was responsible for more than just
defence.
One of its duties was to maintain the authority of the government in times of
armed
rebellion and extreme civil disorder. From the 1830s to the 1850s, the
army was called in to control riots, particularly in the large urban
centres. Soldiers like the one from the 24th Regiment shown in the exhibit
could be required to disperse angry mobs or to ensure that local elections
were conducted in an orderly fashion.
There was a lighter side to military life. Army barracks were usually located in urban areas, and the soldiers were allowed to intermingle with the local populace. Soldiers took to Canadian winter pastimes with a passion. They even introduced some of their own sporting traditions such as bandy, an early form of ice hockey originating in England, and the old Scottish game of curling. Public sporting events promoted social interaction between civilians and soldiers. | |
Drum used by the 24th Regiment, ca.1830s. |
In addition, regimental bands (numbering twenty or so wind instruments) and public military ceremonies were often the only musical entertainment available to the local inhabitants. Military officers were respected members of the urban elite, and many settled permanently in the colonies following their tour of duty. |
Women were involved in many aspects of garrison life. During the day they were often invited out for a stroll or to the races. The garrison's evening events -- theatre, music hall, balls -- were special occasions for dressing up. Women did not simply attend these functions, for, frequently enough, they organized them as well. |
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Created: November 25, 1994. Last update: December 16, 2004 © Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation |