Canada's Early Beginnings
Aboriginal Peoples occupied Canada long before European explorers and colonists arrived.
The first European exploration began in the early 1500s, by the Italian immigrant from England, John Cabot and the Frenchman, Jacques Cartier.
Cartier, on one voyage, and after claiming land for France, overheard captured Indian guides speak the Iroquoian word 'Kanata', meaning village. After that, 'Canada' began appearing on maps.
Early Exploration
In 1604, the first settlement in Canada was established in Acadia, present day Nova Scotia, by Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer. The French and Aboriginal people worked together in the fur trade.
English colonies, though, established along the Atlantic coast and dating to the 1600s, became richer and more populated than New France, mainly due to the Hudson Bay Company's trading rights.
In the 1700s, France and Britain battled for control of North America; the English won the Battle of the Plains at Québec City, and ultimately the war.
After the end of the war, Great Britain renamed the colony, Québec City, the 'Province of Quebec' and passed the Quebec Act of 1774, which accomodated religious freedom and allowed the French colonists to hold office.
United Empire Loyalists
During the American Revolutionary War (between Great Britain and American colonists) and the establishment of the 13 colonies forming the United States, many 'Loyalists' or people loyal to the British Crown, fled and settled in Nova Scotia and Quebec.
The Loyalists were European (Dutch, English, French), Aboriginals, freed black slaves and of various religions (Protestant, Catholic).
The Seeds of Democracy
In 1791, the Constitutional Act was passed, dividing the Province of Quebec into Upper Canada (Ontario), which was mainly loyalist, Protestant and English speaking and Lower Canada (Quebec), which was mainly Catholic and French speaking.
In addition, the Act also granted legislative assemblies be elected by the people and also officialized the name 'Canada'.
The Atlantic colonies and the two Canadas (Upper and Lower) became known as British North America.
War of 1812
The United States invaded Canada in June of 1812 with the belief that they could capture it easily.
The attempt failed which ensured that Canada would remain independent of the United States, however, it still remained a part of the British Empire.
Rebellions
Rebels in the mid-1830s believed progress toward full democracy and representation was too slow and fought against British troops.
Although the rebels were defeated, reformers knew that ministers of the British Crown had to have the support of the majority of the elected representatives in order to govern - a concept known as responsible government.
Responsible Government
In 1840, Upper and Lower Canada were united as the Province of Canada and in 1847, the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government was Nova Scotia.
Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine, a champion of democracy and French language rights, became the first leader of a responsible government in the Canadas.
Responsible government is the current system in place today: if the government loses a confidence vote in the assembly, it must resign.
Confederation
Representatives from the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, from 1864-1867 and with British support, worked together to form a new country.
These men are known as the Fathers of Confederation and they created two levels of government: federal and provoncial.
The Province of Canada was split into two new provinces, Ontario and Quebec, which together with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, formed the new country called the Dominion of Canada
This joining of provinces to form a new country is known as confederation.
Birth of a Nation: Dominion of Canada
In 1867, the British Parliament passed the British North American Act officially giving birth to the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
This day was known as Dominion Day until 1982 when it officially became Canada Day.
In 1867, Sir John Alexander MacDonald, a Father of Confederation, became Canada's first Prime Minister.
Canada's Expansion
During the 1870s through early 1900s, Canada expanded westward over the vast northwest region and new provinces and territories were formed: Manitoba, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory, Alberta, Saskatchwan.
But along with this expansion came challenges in how to connect the regions from sea to sea.
Canada Pacific Railway (CPR)
On November 7, 1885, the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, connecting eastern Canada to British Columbia and symbolized a powerful unity; its ribbons of steel fulfilling a national dream of connecting all of Canada from sea to sea.
Much of the railroad was done with Chinese labour, many of whom were discriminated against by requiring them to pay a Head Tax, which was a race-based entry fee. In 2006, the Canadian government apologized for this discrimination.
Canadian Events 1900s-1945
World Wars I and II
Canadians served in both World War I and World War II losing over 100,000 soldiers in both wars.
Each year on November 11th, Canadians celebrate Remembrance Day by wearing the red poppy flower and observing a moment of silence to honor those who serve, have served and those who sacrificed their lives.
Suffragette Movement
This movement was an effort by women to achieve the right to vote, which began in 1916, when Manitoba became the first province to give women that right.
By 1918, most Canadian female citizens, aged 21, had the right to vote in federal elections.
The Great Depression
In 1933 many businesses were wiped out, farmers becoming the hardest hit.
Because there was a growing demand for the government to provide a safety net, the Bank of Canada was created to bring stability to the financial system.