Lesson 3

Who Were The Next Settlers? Why Did They Come?

 

Introduction

Explain to students that in 1849, Britain granted jurisdiction over the colony of Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Co. who had been running a fur trading post at Fort Victoria since the 1840s. Prior to the Gold Rush of 1858, B.C. had a population of only 700. With the news of a gold rush in the Fraser, its population swelled to about 30 000. Victoria became the service center for the miners and grew in size.

After the gold rush failed to produce as much gold as anticipated, many would be miners returned to Victoria. Some asked for land on which to settle. Eventually Gov. Douglas released land in the Chemainus area, which included Salt Spring.

 

Lesson Prep

 

Activity 1

Examine evidence

Examine Jonathan Begg's letter to friends explaining how land came to be available to settlers. In pairs use the Text Analysis Sheet to analyze the letter.

Discuss the class' findings.

 

Activity 2

Examing Maps

Make an overhead of an early of lands first released to settlers and share with the class. Discuss where these plots of land were.

 

Then share a Map of Early Salt Spring Settlements. Note which areas these settlements were in. Have the students mark these settlements on an empty Salt Spring Map of their own.

 

 

Teacher Resources

Jonathan Begg's letter
Survey Map
Map of Early Salt Spring Settlements
Salt Spring Map

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Lesson 1: What Is History?

Lesson 2: Who Were The First People Who Lived On Salt Spring?

Lesson 3: Who Were The Next Settlers? Why Did They Come?

Lesson 4: What Was It Like To Live Here?

Lesson 5: How Did The First Nations And Early Settlers Get Along?

Lesson 6: How Has Salt Spring Been Mapped?

Lesson 7: What Are Timelines?