Key Historical Terms and Events for Canadian History

Discrimination

Unjust treatment based on group characteristics.

Immigration

Movement of people into a new country.

Prejudice

Preconceived opinion not based on reason.

Primary industry

Sector focused on extracting natural resources.

Reciprocity

Mutual exchange of privileges or benefits.

Rural

Relating to countryside or less populated areas.

Armistice

Agreement to stop fighting in a war.

Attrition

Gradual reduction of strength through sustained attack.

Conscription

Mandatory enlistment for military service.

Franz Ferdinand

Austrian Archduke whose assassination sparked WW1.

Dogfight

Aerial battle between fighter aircraft.

Imperialism

Policy of extending a country's power and influence.

Militarism

Belief in building up strong armed forces.

Nationalism

Patriotic feeling towards one's own country.

No Man's Land

Territory between opposing trenches in warfare.

Poisonous chlorine gas

Chemical weapon used in WW1 combat.

Shell shock

Psychological trauma from intense warfare experiences.

Stalemate

Situation where neither side can gain advantage.

Trench warfare

Combat where soldiers fight from deep trenches.

Vimy Ridge

Significant WW1 battle for Canadian forces.

War profiteers

Individuals or companies making excessive profits during war.

Staple

Basic food item essential for diet.

Tariff

Tax on imported goods to protect domestic industry.

Antiquated

Outdated or no longer used.

Appeasement

Policy of conceding to aggression to maintain peace.

Blitzkrieg

Fast, surprise military attacks to overwhelm opponents.

Dunkirk

Evacuation of Allied soldiers in WW2.

Internment Camps

Detention centers for political or ethnic groups.

Lebensraum

Nazi policy for territorial expansion.

Normandy

Site of Allied invasion during WW2.

Nuremberg

City known for war crime trials post-WW2.

Rationing

Controlled distribution of scarce resources.

Star of David

Symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity.

Axis Powers

Alliance of Germany, Italy, Japan in WW2.

Allied Powers

Coalition opposing Axis Powers in both world wars.

United Nations

International organization for promoting peace and cooperation.

Triple Entente

Alliance of France, Russia, and Britain in WW1.

Triple Alliance

Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Black Tuesday

Stock market crash on October 29, 1929.

Pearl Harbour

Japanese attack that led to US entering WW2.

Hiroshima

First city targeted by an atomic bomb.

New Canadian flag

Adopted on February 15, 1965.

Official Languages Act

Established bilingualism in Canada in 1969.

October Crisis

1970 event involving FLQ and government response.

First referendum on Quebec independence

1980 vote on Quebec sovereignty.

Constitution returned to Canada

1982 patriation of Canadian Constitution.