Quick Answer
The North West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) was established in 1873 to maintain order in the western territories and enforce Canadian law on the frontier. Expect this exact question on your Canadian citizenship test.
When was the north west mounted police (now rcmp) established canada citizenship test?
If you are preparing for your Canadian citizenship test, you need to know the exact year the North West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) was established. The correct answer is 1873. The North West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) was established in 1873 to maintain order in the western territories and enforce Canadian law on the frontier. This is a vital piece of Canadian history that highlights the nation's commitment to the rule of law and orderly settlement during a period of rapid expansion. When you sit down for your exam, you will likely see this question formatted exactly as it appears in official study materials. Knowing the year is only the beginning; understanding the context of why this police force was created will help solidify the information in your memory and ensure you pass your test with confidence.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is Canada's national police force, founded in 1873. They serve as the federal police and also as the provincial and territorial police in many areas across the country. The iconic image of the Mountie in the red serge uniform is recognized worldwide, representing a tradition of law enforcement that predates many of the modern institutions we rely on today. As you study for your citizenship exam, you will find that the creation of this force is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of Canada's development following Confederation in 1867. The establishment of the force was a defining moment that set Canada apart from its neighbours to the south, emphasizing a peaceful and legally structured approach to westward expansion.
Why Does This Come Up on the Citizenship Test?
You might wonder why the Canadian government specifically tests your knowledge of the North West Mounted Police's founding year. The citizenship test assesses your understanding of the core values, history, and institutions that shape modern Canada. The creation of the RCMP in 1873 is one of the most significant events in Canadian history because it represents the country's commitment to establishing peace, order, and good government—key principles found in the Canadian Constitution. Unlike the United States, where westward expansion was often characterized by military conflict and vigilante justice, Canada sought to establish its authority through a formalized police presence.
When Canada acquired the vast Northwest Territories from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1870, the region was largely unpoliced. American whiskey traders were crossing the border, causing immense harm to Indigenous populations, and lawlessness was spreading. The Canadian government under Prime Minister John A. Macdonald recognized that to safely settle the West and build the Canadian Pacific Railway, they needed a robust legal presence. By establishing the North West Mounted Police in 1873, Canada asserted its sovereignty over the western territories. The force was designed to be a semi-military police organization that could enforce Canadian law, prevent conflict, and build relationships with First Nations communities. This approach was crucial in facilitating the peaceful negotiation of treaties and establishing the foundations of a society built on laws rather than force.
For your citizenship test, understanding this context helps you grasp why the RCMP is so deeply respected in Canadian culture. The force was not merely created to catch criminals; it was founded to establish the very presence of the Canadian state in remote areas. The RCMP eventually absorbed the Dominion Police in 1920, becoming the federal police force we know today. When you learn about the establishment of the North West Mounted Police, you are learning about the mechanisms Canada used to grow as a nation while attempting to maintain peace and order. This historical narrative is a central theme in the Discover Canada study guide, which is why you must be prepared to answer questions about it accurately.
Memory Trick
To remember 1873, think of the 18th-century expansion continuing into the West. 1867 was Confederation, and just 6 short years later in 1873, Canada needed police to manage the new western lands. Visualize the Mounties riding West: 18 (age of a young officer) + 73 (the year they rode out to establish order).
What Are the Common Wrong Answers?
When taking your Canadian citizenship test, you will encounter multiple-choice or true/false questions that try to distract you with plausible but incorrect years. Knowing why these wrong answers are wrong will help you eliminate them and confidently select the correct year of 1873.
1867: This is the year of Canadian Confederation, when Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick united under the British North America Act to form the Dominion of Canada on July 1st. It is a crucial date for your test, but it is incorrect for the founding of the police force. Test creators love to use 1867 as a distractor because it is the most famous year in Canadian history. Remember that in 1867, Canada did not yet control the western territories that would require policing. The North West Mounted Police were created specifically to manage the lands acquired after Confederation.
1869: You might see this year if you confuse the founding of the police force with the year Canada acquired Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. The transfer of these vast territories happened in 1869, setting the stage for western expansion, but the police force was not established until four years later to manage the resulting challenges. If you see 1869 on a test, remember it as the year of land acquisition, not law enforcement.
1920: This is a tricky distractor. In 1920, the Royal North West Mounted Police (as it had been renamed) was merged with the Dominion Police to form the modern Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). While 1920 marks the creation of the RCMP under its current name and federal mandate, the original frontier force was established much earlier in 1873. Do not let the name change fool you into choosing this date. The citizenship test specifically asks about the establishment of the North West Mounted Police.
1759: This is the year of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, a pivotal moment in Canadian and world history where the British defeated the French. It is entirely unrelated to western policing and exists on the test to distract you with another major historical date. Keep your centuries straight: 1759 is the French and Indian War era, while 1873 is the post-Confederation era.
By understanding why these years are incorrect, you train your brain to recognize the correct context when you see 1873. The North West Mounted Police was established in 1873 to maintain order in the western territories and enforce Canadian law on the frontier. Do not let these common traps derail your test performance.
How Should You Study This?
Studying for your Canadian citizenship test requires more than just memorizing a list of dates. You need to build a mental timeline of Canadian history so that events like the establishment of the North West Mounted Police fit logically into the broader narrative. Start by ensuring you have a solid grasp of Confederation in 1867. Once you know that Canada became a country in 1867, it makes logical sense that the country needed to figure out how to govern its newly acquired western territories a few years later. That is exactly what happened in 1873. By linking events chronologically, you reduce the cognitive load on your memory.
Next, use active recall to test your knowledge. Do not just read the Discover Canada guide repeatedly; close the book and ask yourself, "When was the North West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) established?" If you hesitate or think of 1867 or 1920, you need to review. Write the question on one side of a flashcard and the answer on the other. Include the context: "Established in 1873 to maintain order in the West." This reinforces not just the date, but the purpose, which helps cement the fact in your mind.
Another effective strategy is to group related historical events. When you study the creation of the RCMP, also review the creation of Nunavut as Canada's newest territory on April 1, 1999. Think about how Canada's borders and governance evolved over time, from the original four provinces in 1867, to the establishment of a frontier police force in 1873, to the creation of a new territory in 1999. Building these webs of knowledge will help you answer a wide variety of questions on your citizenship test.
Finally, take advantage of practice tests. Simulating the test environment will help you manage your time and reduce anxiety. When you encounter a question about the RCMP on a practice test, pay attention to the exact wording. The test might ask, "What is the RCMP?" or "When was the North West Mounted Police established?" Ensure you can answer both. The RCMP is Canada's national police force, founded in 1873. They serve as the federal police and also as provincial and territorial police in many areas. Being able to recall both the definition and the founding year will guarantee you secure these points on your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly was the North West Mounted Police?
The North West Mounted Police was a frontier police force established in 1873 by the Canadian government to maintain law and order in the western territories, prevent American whiskey traders from causing conflict, and establish Canadian sovereignty. It later became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
How is the RCMP different from the North West Mounted Police?
The North West Mounted Police was the original organization founded in 1873. In 1904, King Edward VII granted the prefix "Royal," making it the Royal North West Mounted Police. In 1920, it merged with the Dominion Police to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is now Canada's federal and national police force.
Who founded the North West Mounted Police?
The North West Mounted Police was established by the government of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. The force was modeled after the Royal Irish Constabulary and was created to ensure that Canadian westward expansion would be governed by law rather than the violence seen in the American West.
Does the RCMP still police all of Canada today?
The RCMP serves as Canada's federal police force. However, it also serves as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial police forces (the Ontario Provincial Police and the Sûreté du Québec). It also serves as the municipal police in many communities across the country.