Canadian history: Opening the West

Multiple choice questions. Choose the best answer.

1. First Nations people who live primarily in what is now British Columbia are called
   
   

   a) Innuit and Dene.
   b) Metis and Cree.
   c) Sioux and Blackfoot.
   d) Haida and Tlingit.




2. First Nations People who live primarily in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are
   
   

   a) Iroquois and Huron.
   b) Tlingit and Haida.
   c) Dene and Chipewyan.
   d) Sioux and Blackfoot.




3. The British explorer who visited the West Coast in 1776 and later died in Hawaii was
   
   

   a) Captain James Cook.
   b) Captain George Vancouver.
   c) Alexander MacKenzie.
   d) Simon Fraser.




4. In 1792, who arranged for the transfer of Spanish claims on the West Coast to Britain?
   
   

   a) Captain James Cook
   b) Captain George Vancouver
   c) David Thompson
   d) Simon Fraser




5. Who was the first European to cross North America?
   
   

   a) David Thompson
   b) Simon Fraser
   c) Alexander MacKenzie
   d) Samuel Hearne




6. Who was the first European to explore the Columbia River to its source?
   
   

   a) David Thompson
   b) Simon Fraser
   c) Alexander MacKenzie
   d) Samuel Hearne




7. The explorer who searched for a route to the Pacific and named the Thompson River was
   
   

   a) David Thompson.
   b) Simon Fraser.
   c) Alexander MacKenzie.
   d) Samuel Hearne.




8. The explorer who searched for a route to the Pacific and named the Fraser River was
   
   

   a) David Thompson.
   b) Simon Fraser.
   c) Alexander MacKenzie.
   d) Samuel Hearne.




9. Fort William was constructed at the head of Lake Superior because
   
   

   a) it was an excellent transshipment point for furs.
   b) it was pleasant place for the fur traders to spend the winter.
   c) it provided easy access to the Thirteen Colonies.
   d) the native people in the region were friendly.




10. In 1821, the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company
    
    

    a) merged as the Hudson’s Bay Company.
    b) merged with the American Fur Company.
    c) increased their competition for control of the fur trade in North America.
    d) moved their western headquarters to Astoria on the Columbia River.




11. The first governor of Vancouver Island and the "Father of British Columbia" was
    
    

    a) Amor de Cosmos.
    b) Captain George Vancouver.
    c) James Douglas.
    d) Billy Barker.




12. A major event which stimulated development in British Columbia was
    
    

    a) the opening of ranchlands in the interior.
    b) the Cariboo gold rush.
    c) the opening of a cannery in Prince Rupert.
    d) the arrival of Judge Begbie.

Answer key	1. d	6. a	11. c
	2. d	7. b	12. b
	3. a	8. c
	4. b	9. a
	5. c	10. a

Compiling such a data bank is an ongoing process. Comments and contributions are appreciated by those persons who use this resource.

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