HS Exam

Day 1 Notes

Confederation: In 1867, the Dominion of Canada

was formed through the union of Nova Scotia, New

Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (Ontario and

Quebec). This event, known as Confederation, was

established by the British North America Act, which

was enacted by the British

Parliament. Confederation created a federal state

and a parliamentary democracy in Canada, setting

the foundation for the country it is today.

The "Great Migration of Canada," primarily

between 1815 and 1850, involved a significant influx

of British and Irish immigrants, primarily from the

British Isles. This period saw over 800,000

individuals move to British North America, driven by

factors like infrastructure needs, rural settlement,

and difficult conditions in their home countries. This

migration significantly changed the demographic

makeup of Canada, with the British population

surpassing the French population by the 1850s.

Constitutional act and charter Canada: The

Canadian Constitution is comprised of the

Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North

America Act, 1867) and the Constitution Act, 1982,

which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights andFreedoms. The Charter guarantees fundamental

rights and freedoms to all Canadians, and the

Constitution Act, 1867 outlines the basic structure of

the Canadian government.

Day 2 notes.The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) was a global

conflict that saw major European powers, primarily

Great Britain and France, clash in Europe, North

America, India, and at sea. In North America, this

conflict is also known as the French and Indian

War. The war resulted in a British victory, solidifying

their position as the dominant colonial power and

leading to the formal cession of Canada to Great

Britain. The war was not just limited to North

America but also encompassed Europe, India, and

the seas. The conflict stemmed from the rivalry

between Great Britain and France for control of

territories and trade in North America and India. The

Treaty of Paris in 1763 officially ended the war, with

France ceding most of its North American holdings,

including Canada, to Great Britain.

The Great Coalition of 1864 was a pivotal event in

Canadian history, marking a turning point toward

Confederation. It was formed by a coalition of

Reformers and Conservatives in Canada West

(Ontario) who united to address political deadlock

and pave the way for a new political system. This

coalition played a crucial role in the events leading

up to the Charlottetown Conference, the QuebecConference, and ultimately, the British North

America Act and Confederation in 1867.

The Red River Resistance, also known as the Red River

Rebellion, was a 1869-1870 uprising led by the Métis

people in the Red River Colony against the Canadian

government's plan to annex the region. The resistance

was triggered by the transfer of Rupert's Land from the

Hudson's Bay Company to Canada, a move that

threatened the Métis' land rights, culture, and way of

life. The Métis, led by Louis Riel, formed a provisional

government and negotiated with the Canadian

government, ultimately leading to the creation of the

province of Manitoba and Manitoba's entry into

Confederation.

Day 3 Notes.The American Revolution was

an insurrection carried out by 13 of Great

Britain’s North American colonies that began in 1775

and ended with a peace treaty in 1783.

The colonies won political independence and went

on to form the United States of America.

The war followed more than a decade of growing

estrangement between the British crown and a large

and influential segment of its North American

colonies that was caused by British attempts to

assert greater control over colonial affairs after

having long adhered to a policy of salutary neglect.

Loyalists: During the War of 1812, United Empire

Loyalists, who had sought refuge in British Canada

after the American Revolution, played a significant

role in defending the region against American

invasion. Many Loyalist families, committed to the

British Crown and their lands, actively participated in

the war effort, contributing to the defense of Upper

Canada. Loyalists, including both white and Black

Loyalists, actively participated in the War of 1812,

often serving in the Canadian militia and fighting

alongside British forces. Their commitment to

defending British Canada against American

incursions was crucial, as many Loyalists had settled

in the region after being forced from their homes

during the American Revolution. While mostLoyalists were loyal to the British Crown, some,

particularly those who had more recent ties to the

United States, were reportedly not fully reliable

during the war.

Day 4 Notes

The Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions of 1837-

1838 were armed uprisings against British colonialrule in the two Canadian colonies, driven by

demands for political reform and responsible

government. While the rebellions failed, they paved

the way for significant political changes in Canada,

including the Act of Union and the eventual

establishment of responsible government. Lower

Canada Rebellion (1837-1838) was led by the Parti

patriot, a group of French-Canadian reformers, and

was more widespread and violent than the one in

Upper Canada. The Parti patriot, led by Louis-

Joseph Papineau, sought greater control over the

colony's finances and more democratic

representation. Upper Canada Rebellion (1837) was

led by journalist William Lyon Mackenzie, was less

violent and more focused on Upper Canada's

specific grievances, such as the influence of the

Family Compact and the land issue. Both rebellions

aimed to establish responsible government, where

the executive branch was accountable to the elected

assembly. They also sought an end to the power of

the appointed oligarchies in both colonies. The

rebellions were ultimately unsuccessful, but they

prompted the British government to investigate the

issues in the colonies. Lord Durham's Report,commissioned after the rebellions, led to the Act of

Union in 1841, which merged Upper and Lower

Canada into the Province of Canada. The Act of

Union also paved the way for responsible

government in the Province of Canada, although it

was not fully implemented until 1848