Canadian History Review

Canadian History

  • Overview: The study of early Canadian history focusing on significant events and people.

Big Question

  • What was the most significant event in early Canadian history?

  • Historical Thinking Concept: Historical Significance.

Vocabulary

  • Chronological: arranged in order of time.

  • Indigenous: original inhabitants.

  • First Nations: Indigenous peoples in Canada.

  • Colonization: taking over land and settling it.

  • Confederation: the joining of provinces into a unified nation.

Learning Goals

  • Understand that historical significance is based on:

    • Depth, scope, and duration of impact.

  • Identify significant events and people, mainly indigenous, British, and French.

Indigenous Peoples in Canada

  • Indigenous presence for at least 15,000 years.

  • Three categories in Canada: First Nations, Inuit, Métis.

  • Unique cultures, languages, and beliefs.

  • Indigenous population today: approx. 1.8 million (5% of Canada).

  • Recognized ~630 First Nations groups.

Early European Contacts

  • Vikings (c. 1000 CE):

    • Led by Leif Erikson, established a settlement in Newfoundland (L’Anse aux Meadows).

    • Earliest confirmed European contact.

  • Christopher Columbus (1492):

    • Landed in Caribbean, mistook locals for East Indies.

    • Initiated European conflict over the New World.

    • Key Term: Colonization - settling territory occupied by others.

  • John Cabot (1497):

    • Explored Newfoundland and claimed it for Britain.

    • Discovery of fishing grounds led to future colonization.

  • Jacques Cartier (1534-1541):

    • Explored the St. Lawrence River, claimed Canada for France.

    • Initial contact with indigenous peoples.

  • Samuel de Champlain (1608):

    • Established Quebec, the first permanent French colony.

    • Laid foundations for fur trade and French colonization.

British Colonization Efforts

  • Hudson’s Bay Company (1670):

    • Established to compete in the fur trade; significant in British claims and governance.

  • Louisiana Territory Claim (1682):

    • French claim around Mississippi River, named after King Louis XIV.

Conflicts and Changes

  • Seven Years’ War (1754-1763):

    • Britain defeated France; France lost North American territory.

  • American Revolution (1776-1783):

    • Loyalist influx to Canada, creation of New Brunswick and Upper Canada.

  • War of 1812 (1812-1814):

    • Failed US invasion of Canada; reaffirmed British control.

  • Underground Railroad (1815-1865):

    • Network aiding escaped slaves; around 30,000-100,000 refugees settled in Canada.

  • Rebellions of 1837-38:

    • Uprisings in Upper and Lower Canada against colonial rule; led to gradual governmental reforms.

Confederation (1867)

  • Date: July 1, 1867.

  • Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia became the Dominion of Canada.

  • John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister.

  • Indigenous peoples were excluded from the process.

Historical Significance in Perspective

  • Big Question to Consider: What was the most significant event in Canadian history before 1867?

  • Historical significance assessed by depth, scope, and duration of impact on Canadian society.