Chapter 8: Canada's Metropolis 1896-1914
1)Between 1896 and 1914, which factor contributed to Montréal's population boom?
A.Immigration B.The municipal annexation program C.The rural exodus D.All of the above
Comment: During the 20 years leading up to World War I, Montréal experienced one of the most prosperous periods in its history. A sign of these affluent times, the population boom resulted from many factors. First, a wave of immigration diversified the city’s population. The exodus of French Canadians from the countryside to the city also contributed to the city’s expanding numbers and, lastly, the program to annex neighbouring municipalities was in full force: between 1905 and 1914, there were no fewer than 26 annexations, increasing both the city’s territory and its population. Sources: Jean-Claude Robert, Atlas historique de Montréal, Libre expression, 1994.
Sources: Jean-Claude Robert, Atlas historique de Montréal, Libre expression, 1994.
2)Which street—still important today—was home to immigrants at the turn of the century?
A.Rue Saint-Jacques B.Rue Sainte-Catherine C.Boulevard Saint-Laurent D.Rue Jean-Talon
Comment: Starting at the end of the 19th century, Boulevard Saint-Laurent, also known as the Main, was the site of successive waves of immigration. Although today immigrants settle in other neighbourhoods of the city, most cultural communities that arrived before World War II chose to live along this main artery that separates the Island of Montréal in two. Interestingly, the Main’s ethnic neighbourhoods are aligned practically in the same chronological order in which the communities arrived. For example, Chinatown, located to the South and whose first inhabitants arrived in 1880, is followed by the businesses in the Jewish neighbourhood and then, to the North, by little Italy, whose residents also arrived around this time.
Sources: : Barry Lazar et Douglas Tamsin, Guide du Montréal ethnique. XYZ, 1994. Commission de toponymie of Québec, www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (page consultée le 28 janvier 2007).
3)In which year did Canada's first movie theatre open its doors?
A.1895 B.1896 C.1900 D.1906
Comment: In June 1896, the first movie was shown in Montréal at the Palace Theatre. After that, Montrealers went to see “moving pictures” in attraction parks—particularly, Parc Sohmer. It was only on January 1, 1906, that the first permanent movie theatre, the Ouimetoscope, opened its doors in the metropolis. Founded by Ernest Ouimet, one of Canada’s cinema pioneers, the theatre was located on the corner of Rue Montcalm and Rue Sainte-Catherine. In 1907, Ernest Ouimet rebuilt the theatre, which originally seated 500, to hold 1,200 movie-goers.
Sources: Mario Robert, « Les 100 ans du Ouimetoscope » in MTL, 2006. Centre d’histoire de Montréal, Montréal-Clic, no 20, ville.montreal.qc.ca/chm (page consultée le 27 janvier 2007).
4)At the beginning of the 20th century, which political group called for changes in municipal administration in order to eradicate corruption?
A.The Populists B.The Reformists C.The Conservatives D.The Liberals
Comment: Starting at the end of the 19th century, a reform movement criticizing the municipal government began to take shape, primarily made up of French- and English speaking businessmen who called for a revised voting procedure and strongly denounced elected officials’ patronage, sponsorship and corruption. In 1904, they entered municipal politics when their leader, Hormidas Laporte (1850-1934), was elected mayor. Despite their good intentions, the Reformists were defeated in the following elections by the Populists who were increasingly gaining support.
Sources: Ville de Montréal. Section des archives, La démocratie à Montréal exhibit, www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives (site visité le 2 février 2007).
