History of Canada- Exploration, Colonization, & Changes in Power

History of Canada Notes

European Colonization

The First Nations• Native tribe of

Canada came from Asia 12,000 years ago.• crossed Bering

Land Bridge that joined Russia to Alaska

• 12 tribes made up the First Nations

Inuit• one of the First

Native tribes • still live in Canada

today • 1999—Canada’s

government gave the Inuit Nunavut Territory in northeast Canada

The Europeans in Canada…• first explorers to settle Canada were Norse

invaders from the Scandinavian Peninsula• In 1000 CE, they built a town on the

northeast coast of Canada & established a trading relationship with the Inuit.• The Norse deserted the settlement for

unknown reasons.• Europeans did not return to Canada until

almost 500 years later.

A Viking Ship

England Claims Newfoundland• 1497- Italian explorer John Cabot,

sailed to Canada’s east coast• He was looking for a sea route to

Asia. • His tales about Canada brought other

explorers• Cabot claimed an area of land for

England (his sponsor) & named it Newfoundland

John Cabot

New France• Jacques Cartier

sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1534.• claimed the land for

France• French colonists

named the area New France

New France (Quebec)• 1608--Samuel de Champlain built the

first permanent French settlement-later called Quebec.• population grew slowly•Many people moved inland to trap

animals—hats made of beaver fur were in high demand in Europe.• Trade with Natives became profitable and

more settled on the St. Lawrence River

Samuel de Champlain

New France (Quebec)• European fur traders were joined by

French farmers, merchants, and missionaries from the Catholic Church• brought with them French laws, traditions,

& religion• France wouldn’t let anyone move to

New France who was not Catholic.

Became an important part of the French empire- provided valuable furs, fish, timber, and other products.

The British in Canada…• British colonized region south of New

France• Saw New France’s success in fur trapping

& wanted to take control of the fur trade• France built forts on British land which led

to the French and Indian War in 1754.

French and Indian War (1754)• Great Britain and Iroquois Indians versus

France and Huron Indians• Great Britain fought for control of

Canadian territory & the fur trade.• British conquered Quebec in 1754 and

forced France to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1763

Treaty of Paris (1763)• Great Britain controls all lands east of the

Mississippi River, except for two islands off of Newfoundland• French gave up land in Canada• British forced Nova Scotia’s French-

speaking people to leave• Nova Scotia’s French went to another

French colony(New Orleans, Louisiana—descendants of these people are the Cajuns)

Quebec Act--1774• British allowed French to stay

in Quebec, but continued to control the region• Problems arose between the

two groups due to cultural differences• Quebec Act guaranteed the

French the right to maintain their culture (language, religion, traditions)

Quebec Act (1774)• Loyalists- people who supported the

British in America who did not want independence. • Loyalists moved into Canada to avoid war

in America. • Cultural difference between the English

speakers & French speakers sparked many conflicts.• 1774—The British government passed the

Quebec Act.

Quebec Act’s Results• Gave French Canadians in Quebec the right to

continue practicing the Catholic religion & and allowed French civil law• Loyalists were irritated with the new political

& cultural power of the French• The differences among the two groups

eventually led to a re-division of the country.

American Revolution• 1776—Americans gained independence from

Great Britain• This initiated a huge cultural change in

Canada.• Americans who did not believe in

independence left America and moved to Quebec.• These people were called “Loyalists”

because they were loyal to Great Britain.• Result—Quebec began to have people who

spoke English as well as French.

Division of Canada- British Solution•Most English

speaking citizens lived in Upper Canada (Ontario).•Most French

speaking citizens lived in Lower Canada (Quebec).

After the War of 1812•War of 1812 – French and British worked

together against the US who tried to invade Canada • French Canadians and British Canadians

hated British rule.• They felt that Great Britain was too far

away to understand their needs.• So…1837 – Louis Papineau organized a

revolt to establish Quebec as a separate country.• result of revolt: British easily defeated

Papineau

Road to Independence• Britain sends Earl of Durham• Canadians want:

1. more control over government2. all Provinces to unite

• The British only wanted Quebec and Ontario to unite. All provinces together could create a successful rebellion.

British/North American Act• July 1, 1867- Dominion of Canada Created• New country had four providences• Ontario (formerly Upper Canada)• Quebec (formerly Lower Canada)• Nova Scotia• Brunswick

*Results1. Canada was still part of the British empire2. Canada had their own central government3. Now they could solve their own

problems(Except in regards to defense, treaties, and foreign trade)

4. Happened without a war

20th Century Problems• 1931: Statue of Westminster gave Canada

independence from Great Britain• Canada became part of the British

Commonwealth of Nations.•WWII – built factories for war supplies

(clothes, shoes, etc.)• Immigrants poured in from Asia, Africa,

Europe, and the Caribbean.

20th Century Problems• Industrialization brought old conflicts:

1. British wanted factories in Quebec, French didn’t2. 1976 – French were tired of being part of Canada – wanted independence3. 1982 – new constitution – in response to French wanting a bilingual country – two official languages: French and English4. Canadian government modeled after British parliament – constitutional monarchy