Abstract
The paper looks at whether or not the fragmentation of Canadian history has been bad for Canada - as noted historian Jack Granatstein suggests - or whether it has really been a boon for all those who believe that education should be about introducing new ideas and modes of thought to young Canadians. Ultimately, this writer takes the view that Granatstein's 1998 book, "Who Killed Canadian History?" raises some worthwhile points but fails to consider all the ways in which a new approach to teaching history has engaged minority students and compelled those in the majority to take a more thoughtful look at their own past.

From the Paper
"The last 40 years have been years of extraordinary change in Canada. This nation has seen its traditional Anglo-British base gradually give way to be replaced by a more "multi-cultural" mosaic at precisely the same time as traditional gender and racial stereotypes have been turned upside down. No less importantly, history departments across the land have gradually "fragmented," with feminist history, "gay" history, African-Canadian history, various branches of social history, and native history all pulling and tearing at the traditional, monolithic portrayal of the Canadian past which existed without challenge until the 1960s."

Tags:canadian, history, debate

Abstract
The paper looks at Jack Granatstein's 1998 text, "Who Killed Canadian History?" and argues that Granatstein's central thesis - that the history of this country has been seriously damaged by the practice of studying differences rather than commonalities - is overwrought and that he fails to appreciate how a multi-faceted historiography is actually in keeping with Canada's immigrant-based, cosmopolitan and multicultural ethic. The paper contends that Dr. Granatstein does not appreciate that history - like most other academic disciplines - entails an ongoing process of negotiation between different groups and peoples.

From the Paper
"The discipline of historical scholarship has changed dramatically over the past 40 years as feminism, the rise of group politics, a changing demographic situation and new political sensibilities have led to a break-down of the "consensus" historiography that characterized the field prior to 1960. With this in mind, the following paper will look at Jack Granatstein's 1998 text, "Who Killed Canadian History?" Specifically, the next several pages will argue that Granatstein's central thesis - that the history of this country has been seriously damaged by the practice of studying differences rather than commonalities - is overwrought and that..."

Tags:canadian, history, granatstein

Abstract
The paper looks at Jack Granatstein's "Who Killed Canadian History?" where he claims that the history of Canada has been seriously damaged by the practice of studying differences rather than commonalities. The paper asserts that Granatstein fails to appreciate that there is ample room for group and particularist histories that do not fit easily within an over-arching historical narrative. The paper maintains that Granatstein fails to recognize that Canadians, living in an evermore diverse society, need to have an ever-expanding and ever-diversifying view of history too.

From the Paper
"In fairness to Jack Granatstein, there are various problems afflicting public memory in Canada - or at least there were in 1998 when his tome was released. For instance, one online source notes that a 1997 Angus Reid poll found only one-third of Canadians knew that Remembrance Day commemorates the end of World War One whereas a scant five percent knew that the Upper and Lower Canada rebellions took place in 1837. More unsettling, given its political relevance today, only 10 percent of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 24 who were contacted by pollsters knew what the Quiet Revolution was all about and 17 percent of respondents - nearly one out of every five - inexplicably claimed Tennessee Williams and Andy Warhol were Canadian. To this melange of error and misunderstanding could be added numerous other instances drawn from the same survey. The end result of all of this, in the view of Dr. Granatstein, will be - may already be fast becoming - disaster."

Tags:differences, commonalities, cosmopolitan, diversity, society

Abstract
This paper looks at whether or not the fragmentation of Canadian history over the course of time has been bad for Canada, as historian, Jack Granatstein suggests in his book "Who Killed Canadian History?" Ultimately, the author of the paper takes the view that Granatstein's book raises some worthwhile points, but fails to consider all the ways in which a new approach to teaching history has engaged minority students and compelled those in the majority to take a more thoughtful look at their own past.

From the Paper
"Additionally, critics of Granatstein's work argue that he fails to appreciate that the proper role of education is not simply to give students dry "facts" but to teach them the skills they need to critically assess those facts and to arrive at their own conclusions after systematically amassing and analyzing the available evidence. Suffice it to say, proper teaching (at least in the social sciences) is about having students critically engage the "big" questions which will eventually confront them as voting adults; it is not about giving them questions which have already been answered."

Tags:critics, multi-cultural, nation

Abstract
In this article the writer looks at the Historical Minutes, sixty five short films which recreate key moments and persons in Canadian history. The writer describes that these films are defined by a proud, intensely nationalistic viewpoint and delivered in a glossy theatrical sheen reminiscent of a Hollywood film. The writer points out that though the Minutes are divided into different sections, the majority of the content is political in nature with an emphasis on the growth of democratic Canada, the unification of Canada as a nation, and its struggle against the bonds of the Commonwealth and the typical struggles all democratic nations undergo in achieving political freedom and equanimity.

From the Paper
"Canadian Symbols assemble a somewhat disconnected bunch of people and events, the most obvious and relevant being that of the Canadian Flag and its identity. (Several segments expanding on the history of the Flag and the players involved may have provided more relevant and interesting history than some of the other Canadian Symbol features, such as British actor Pierce Brosnan playing the first Englishman to apparently be inducted into the Red Indians). The Commerce pieces cover mostly uninteresting territory, attempting to connect with modern viewers by reference to such icons as the Bell network and the word "Cineplex"."

Tags:historical, minutes, canada

Abstract
This essay reviews J.L. Granatstein's book "Who Killed Canadian History?" The essay argues that while Granatstein is right that a national vision needs to be kept in Canada's consciousness, there does need to be room for diversity as well.

Abstract
This paper is a review and analysis of a book "The Donut: A Canadian Histor" by Steven Penfold on the history of the donut as a vehicle for explaining social historical issues in Canada since the end of World War II. It considers the rise of the donut as a symbol of Canada and a national obsession. It is a fun review of the rise of the donut, but somewhat disappointing as social history.

From the Paper
"It is rather hard to take the book seriously a first glance: The Donut. The subtitle (A Canadian History) does not lessen the oddity of the book. The "Acknowledgements" seems to add to the less-than-serious tone I am so thoroughly six of donuts, I could die. . . . Any random confrontation with a round object makes me physically ill. Pumping a time makes me dizzy. I can't even look at a DVD. Don't mention the word "dip" or "glaze" anywhere within earshot; it is likely to send me into a deep depression. That I survived this decade-long snack-food ordeal owes much..."

Tags:canada, donut, social history

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that there are three moments in Canada's history since 1900 which may be said to be defining moments. The writer then explains that these are the Statute of Westminster in 1931, the 1970 FLQ crisis, and the 1982 patriation of the Constitution. Further, the writer points out that these moments are significant for a number of reasons.

From the Paper
"In the case of the 1970 FLQ crisis, the fundamental acrimony of the French-English divide within Canada was exposed and so too were the extremist elements of the silent Revolution in Quebec Society. Finally, the 1982 Constitutional patriation upon which Pierre ... "

Tags:canada, events, nationhood

Abstract
This paper offers a succinct history of Canada from the time of the early settlers until modern day. The focus of the paper is the battles between different countries to rule over the area and the affect that this had on the development of a multi-cultural country.

From the Paper
"However, good relations with England and status as a commonwealth nation would cause considerable dissention among the French minority in Canada. Pro-British members of government supported several of Britain's war efforts, including those in the World Wars. Canada became a major political and economic world power in the twentieth century. Although bilingualism and multiculturalism were adopted as official policies of the state, French separatists in Quebec struggled fiercely for independence. The last of two official referendums for separation from Canada was defeated in 1995 by a narrow margin."

Tags:quebec, english, french, rule

Abstract
This paper discusses characteristics of smallpox and describes a typical epidemic of 1616-1636 that started in New France and spread. The paper addresses matters of natural immunity, the eradication of smallpox worldwide in 1980 and the new bioterrorism threat with smallpox a disease to which North Americans no longer have natural or vaccinated immunity.

From the Paper
"Amid popular debate on whether or not to vaccinate Canadian children in the early 20th century, the example of smallpox and its eradication refers to a medical and human breakthrough in immunization that has prevented much suffering, debility and death and, in the end, enabled the disease's eradication in Canada. Smallpox was known for more than 2500 years in Asia. (Behbehani:1983) In 1980s, the World Health Organisation (WHO) asserted that smallpox had been eradicated world wide, a claim that can seem premature for as this paper explains, the easy..."

Tags:quebec 1616, smallpox range, history