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Early history and settlement
- Indigenous peoples lived on these lands long before European settlement and developed distinct cultures, languages, and ways of life.
- French and British settlement shaped many of Canada's early political, legal, and language traditions.
- Conflicts, alliances, treaties, and migration all influenced the development of Canada.
- The Vikings reached Labrador and Newfoundland about 1,000 years ago; L'Anse aux Meadows is a World Heritage site.
- John Cabot mapped Canada's Atlantic coast in 1497, and Jacques Cartier's voyages helped bring the name Canada from the word kanata.
Confederation and growth
- Confederation in 1867 created the Dominion of Canada through the union of several colonies.
- Canada expanded over time as more provinces and territories joined the country.
- Important milestones include responsible government, the railway, participation in world conflicts, and greater independence from Britain.
- The Fathers of Confederation worked to unite colonies into a federal country, balancing local provincial powers with a national government.
- The Canadian Pacific Railway helped connect the country from east to west and was central to settlement and economic growth.
New France and British North America
- Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City in 1608 and helped establish New France.
- The fur trade connected French traders, voyageurs, coureurs des bois, and Indigenous partners across large parts of North America.
- The Hudson's Bay Company received trading rights in 1670 and became a major force in northern and western trade.
- The British victory at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 ended France's empire in North America.
Loyalists, rights, and rebellions
- The Quebec Act of 1774 protected Catholic religious freedom and restored French civil law while keeping British criminal law.
- United Empire Loyalists moved north after the American Revolution, including Black Loyalists and Loyalist Mohawk led by Joseph Brant.
- The War of 1812 helped shape Canadian identity and included British, Canadian, First Nations, and volunteer militia efforts.
- Rebellions in 1837-38 helped lead to responsible government, where ministers must have the confidence of elected representatives.
Modern nationhood
- Canada fought in the First World War, and Vimy Ridge became a powerful symbol of Canadian achievement and sacrifice.
- Canada also served in the Second World War, including the Battle of the Atlantic, the Italian campaign, D-Day, and the liberation of the Netherlands.
- Women gained voting rights federally in 1918, and Agnes Macphail became the first woman elected to Parliament in 1921.
- The Statute of Westminster in 1931 and later constitutional changes increased Canada's independence.
Exploration and early contact
- Indigenous societies had different ways of life depending on region, including farming, hunting, fishing, gathering, and Arctic adaptation.
- European arrival brought trade, missions, settlement, conflict, alliances, and disease, changing Indigenous life permanently.
- Jacques Cartier claimed land for France and helped popularize the name Canada after hearing the word kanata.
- New France grew along the St. Lawrence River and through the fur trade, with alliances and conflicts involving Indigenous nations.
Road to Confederation
- The British North America Act, now called the Constitution Act, 1867, created the Dominion of Canada.
- The first four provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
- Sir John A. Macdonald became Canada's first Prime Minister.
- Confederation was influenced by defence concerns, railway plans, trade, political deadlock, and the desire for a stronger union.
Twentieth-century milestones
- Canada's sacrifices in the world wars strengthened national identity and international recognition.
- The Great Depression created hardship in the 1930s and influenced later social and economic policies.
- After the Second World War, Canada experienced economic growth, immigration, and a larger role in global affairs.
- The Constitution Act, 1982 included the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and marked an important constitutional milestone.
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Sample Questions
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In what year did Confederation create the Dominion of Canada?