Artifact #2: Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory Order (1870)

Citation:

"Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory Order (UK)." June 23, 1870. PrimaryDocuments.ca. https://primarydocuments.ca/ruperts-land-and-north-western-territory-order/.

Label:

This is the first page of a significant document from the time of Confederation, known as Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory Order. This document finalized the transfer of Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory from the Hudson’s Bay Company to the Dominion of Canada on June 23, 1870. The Company was struggling due to the declining fur trade, and sold the land to Canada for £300,000. This purchase added a large amount of territory to Canada’s geography, led to the creation of the Northwest Territories, and laid the foundation for Canada’s expansion into the west.

Acquiring this vast territory was a key step in fulfilling the motives of Confederation. This purchase was motivated by Canada’s desire to expand westward and prevent American expansion in the region. It was also driven by the desire to secure valuable lands for settlement and economic growth. Over time, parts of the Northwest Territories were divided to form other provinces such as Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as parts of Ontario and Quebec. The territories Yukon and Nunavut were also cut out from the Northwest Territories. This purchase remains one of the most important in Confederation history, displaying the nation's desire to expand further.

Bibliography:

Hall, David J. "North-West Territories (1870-1905)." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Last modified August 18, 2022. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-west-territories-1870-1905.

Tattrie, Jon. "Northwest Territories and Confederation." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Last modified February 20, 2015. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/northwest-territories-and-confederation.