Key Historical Figures and Events in Early Canadian History

These flashcards cover key historical figures and events in early Canadian history, focusing on contributions, actions, and impacts of various individuals.

Gabriel Segard

Wrote 'Life among the Hurons' in 1623.

Jean de Brébeuf

French Jesuit missionary who worked among Wendat, captured and martyred, later canonized.

Marie de L'incarnation

Opened the first school for Indigenous girls in Quebec, previously managed a shipping company.

Esther Wheelwright

Puritan captured by Wabanaki, became a Catholic nun, mother superior of the Ursulines.

Jeanne Mance

Founded the first hospital at Ville Marie, inspired to do missionary work during a pilgrimage, taught by the Ursulines.

Marguerite Bourgeois

Founded the colony’s first teaching community Soeurs de la Congrégation de Notre Dame, and was the first female Canadian saint.

Kateri

Mohawk convert and Catholic saint who blended Indigenous and Catholic traditions.

The Sons of Liberty

Secret group resisting British taxation, known for organizing protests like the Boston Tea Party.

Committees of Correspondence

Organizations coordinating anti-British propaganda between 1772 and 1776.

George Washington

First leader of the Continental Army, chosen by the Second Continental Congress.

Mary Ludwig Hays

Also known as Molly Pitcher; carried water to soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth.

Deborah Sampson

Disguised as a man to fight in the war, treated her own injuries to avoid detection.

Ann Bates

Loyalist spy who gathered information for the British during the American Revolution.

Polly Cooper

Oneida woman who supported Washington's troops with food during the winter at Valley Forge.

Molly Brant

Utilized her status to relay military intelligence and organized supplies for the Indigenous allied with Britain.

Lord Haldimand

British governor of Quebec; arranged land for Indigenous loyalists after the Revolutionary War.

Isaac Brock

Notable British military leader in the War of 1812, died at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

Laura Secord

Warned the British of an impending US attack before the Battle of Beaver Dams.

Tecumseh

Leader who formed the Pan-Indigenous Confederacy promising a separate state for his people.

Tenskwatawa

Known as 'The Prophet,' preached a return to traditional Native ways, leading to conflict.

King Philip/Metacom

Led raids against English settlers, was killed and displayed as a warning to others.

Pontiac

Odawa chief who led a rebellion against settler encroachment on Indigenous land.

Sir Guy Carleton

Governor of Quebec who championed the Quebec Act after Murray was recalled.

William Lyon Mackenzie

Critic of government, leader of the failed rebellion of 1837, and first mayor of Toronto.

The Family Compact

Group of wealthy English-speaking officials in Upper Canada who dominated politics and business.

The Doric Club

Group of upper-class loyalists who supported British rule and used violence against French-Canadian Patriotes.

Marie-Marguerite d’Youville

founded Grey Nuns 1737, administrator for Montreal’s General Hospital, first canadian-born saint.

William Jarvis

officer in Simcoe Rangers, first Secretary and Registrar of Upper Canada, appointed by Governor John Graves Simcoe, helped establish Family Compact and elite British class

John Norton

Adopted by Joseph Brant as nephew and successor, respected intermediary between British commanders and Indigenous allies

Oliver Perry

captured entire British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie

Angela Merici

founder of the Ursulines in Italy 1535

Montcalm

lieutenant-general of the French forces in the Seven Years War, wins several battles including the Battle of York, 1757

Eunice Williams

daughter of preacher Rev. John Williams, captured in Deerfield raid during Queen Anne’s War, adopted by captors and married a Mohawk man, refused to return years later when father negotiates her release, converts to Catholicism

James Wolfe

British Army officer during the Seven Years War, known especially for the battle of Quebec

General Jeffrey Amherst

led three-pronged attack of Montreal and then governed British occupation of Canada until Treaty of Paris

General James Murray

led conquest of Quebec, eventually eases some of the laws against French Canadians and Catholics, outed by Thomas Walker and was recalled.

Louis-Joseph Papineau

leader of the Parti Patriote and of the Patriote movement

Chateau Clique

Group of English-speaking elites in Lower Canada holding power in government and economy, supported British power and opposed Patriotes

Lord John Russell

British politician who introduced the ten resolutions in 1837 giving colonial governors more control, further undermining the elected assembly.

Governor Lord Gosford

Disassembled legislative assembly

Fils de la Liberté

Paramilitary organization of young French-Canadian nationalists who supported Papineau’s push for democracy and independence

Ryerson

Methodist Chief Superintendent of Education, supported the Family Compact and British authorities and opposed reformers during the UC rebellion.

Dr. WW Baldwin

Well respected doctor and member of the Executive Council in Upper Canada, opposed the Family Compact and was a leader in the reform movement.