Usually the best strategy to answer reading comprehension sheets is to read the questions first. Note: the Reading is typed AFTER these question.
If you like, print out the question sheet, or copy and paste the questions onto a word processing document and write out or type out your answers.
1. What was the even that cause the first group of Blacks to come to Canada?
2. Describe conditions for Blacks in American prior to and during the American Civil
War.
3. How did Britain convince the slaves to support Britain?
4. Where was the land that Blacks were granted located?
5. Do you think the Black Loyalists were pleased with their "reward"? Explain.
6. Why would the 1793 Abolition Act only apply to slaves over the age of 25?
7. Why did Upper Canada (Ontario) become a popular destination for runaway slaves?
8. What was the name of the route that Black slaves took to escape America for the freedom of Canada?
9. In what way did the Black Loyalists contribute to the early business and cultural landscape of Canada?
Black Loyalists
Da Costa, Le Jeune, Angelique, and Bonga were some of Canada’s “firsts” in that they were some of the first individuals to contribute to Canada’s history. The first “group” of Blacks to arrive in Canada came as a results of the American War of Independence (1775-1783).
America, during this time, was divided into two groups: The Rebels (who were looking to break their ties with Britain) and the Loyalists (who were looking to maintain ties with Britain).
Britain tried to recruit the help of the slaves of the Rebels to fight alongside the Loyalists. All men, women, and children were invited to join the British cause. To entice the Blacks to fight, Britain promised the slaves freedom, land, and supplies.
At least 3,500 Blacks supported the British and, along with the White Loyalists, were relocated to Canada. Blacks comprised about 10% of all Loyalists, although, they were the last to receive plots of land. They had to wait years. Part of the problem was the amount of land to be surveyed and too few surveyors were available to do the job. The land, when it was finally awarded, was usually remote, rocky, and too small to feed a family.
The earliest Black communities, then, were established where Britain gave the Blacks their land: in the Maritime Provinces. Birchtown became the largest settlement of free Africans outside Africa.
In 1793, the Abolition Act was passed in Upper Canada, now know as Ontario. This law freed slaves aged 25 and over and made it illegal to bring slaves into Upper Canada. Consequently, Upper Canada became a safe haven for runaway slaves.
Between 1800 and 1865, approximately 20,000 Black people escaped to Canada via the “Underground Railway”.
