Student Activity #4: Dancing and Democracy

The Royal Tour is about to leave the Canadian colonies to visit the United States. I have a meeting with the Duke of Newcastle to talk about my impressions so far. My biggest question for the Duke will be:

EVERYONE IN THE COLONIES SEEMS TO LOVE THE PRINCE. BUT … I’VE ONLY SEEN VERY RICH PEOPLE DIRECTLY SOCIALZIING WITH HIM. DOES THIS MEAN THAT ONLY RICH PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNMENT?? DO YOU HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO VOTE??

Find an image!

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/
Be sure to click the 'portraits' button beside the search box, and check the dates accompanying the images to be sure that you have found the Duke of Newcastle for this time period.

Before you begin your research, predict when you think the right to vote was extended to all Canada adults? Predicted year:_________ Do you think some groups are/were still excluded? Who? Why?

Access the Museum of Civilization website (www.civilization.ca) for information on the history of the vote in Canada. Once on the site, click on Educational And Teacher Resorses, then "History", then choose "Social Progress Gallery", then "History of Voting".

Your Task: Compose a dialogue between Will and the Duke of Newcastle in which Will questions the equity of voting privileges in the colonies in 1860? How would the Duke reply? What would he defend? What changes would he support? How would Will react? At the last exchange, you need to step in as an observer from the future of 2006 -- how would you explain the changes in voting in Canada? Would Will be satisified?

Will’s notes: I want to include some of my photographs of “ordinary” people to convince the Duke that everyone deserves a voice in governing the colonies. I’ll definitely be sure to add in images of:

The Prince of Wales has completed the British North American segment of his journey. From Windsor, the royal party crossed over to Detroit. However, our intrepid footman, Will Thayer, will not be continuing on with Prince Edward.

The Duke of Newcastle has arranged for Will to work for George Brown. Brown, a prominent Toronto politician and newspaperman, was so impressed with Will’s inquisitive nature and photographic expertise, that he has agreed to take him under his. The Duke feels this will be an excellent opportunity to have first-hand observations of the ongoing political changes and alliances in the British North American colonies.

Will will continue to amass material for his album and observethe political, social, and economic elements of 1860’s Canadian society.