Australian Independence 1901: Australia became an independent nation New government policies tried to end Aboriginal culture –Laws were put into place that tried to limit where Aborigines could live and work. –Took Aboriginal children away from their families. Aborigines begin to regain rights in the 1960s –Granted Australian citizenship in 1967
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Canada was originally settled by Native American groups called “Inuits”. They lived by hunting animals and gathering plants to eat. Many groups later learned to farm the land.
Explorer John Cabot sailed from England to the eastern coast of Canada. Cabot was looking for a sea route to Asia but found Canada, a land with supplies of bountiful fish and massive forests of tall trees. Explorers from other countries followed Cabot’s route to Canada’s shores.
About 100 years after Cabot’s landing, the French explorer Samuel de Champlain established the settlement of Quebec, which became a trading center and the first permanent French settlement in the New World. Fur trading was a profitable business for the new French settlers, and they quickly established trading posts along the St. Lawrence River.
The French called their new territory “New France”. It included much of eastern Canada and the central United States. New France provided valuable furs, fish, timber, and other products to the French empire. England also wanted its share of Canada’s resources and sent explorers west into the Canada’s prairies and on to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Both France and England wanted to control the rich lands in North America. The French built a string of forts from Canada down to the city of New Orleans near the Gulf of Mexico. Some of these forts were built on lands claimed by Britain. In 1754, a battle at one of the forts marked the beginning of the French and Indian War.
The French lost the war, and New France came under English control in Although France gave up control of Canada, French influence in Canada continues to this day. Almost one-fourth of Canadians have French ancestors.
In later 1791, the British government drew up new boundaries in Canada, dividing Quebec into two colonies. Most of the British people lived in “Upper Canada,” and most of the French lived in “Lower Canada.” Both colonies had a British governor.
Because England and France settled large parts of Canada, both countries have had a lasting influence on the languages and religions of Canada. About two-thirds of Canadians speak English. The two major religions in Canada are Catholicism (French) and Protestantism (English).
For about 50 years, Upper Canada and Lower Canada grew separately. The British also had colonies in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and western Canada. Colonists became unhappy with being governed by the British, and began to rebel in 1837.
Britain did not want a repeat of the American Revolution, so they set up a government where the Canadian colonists governed themselves except in matters of defense, treaties, and foreign trade. In 1867, the British parliament created the Dominion of Canada. This meant the Canada was an independent self- governing nation, but still part of the British Empire.
Canada received its independence or sovereignty in ◦ Canada still had close ties to England (British Commonwealth) This caused problems. Many of the French in Canada felt like England had too much influence.
French Canadians live mostly in Quebec. ◦ Since gaining independence French Canadians and English Canadians have fought over land and resources. Many French Canadians have felt like 2 nd class citizens and feel they are outnumbered and don’t have their voices heard.
Many French Canadians disagreed with Canada fighting in WWI. ◦ They thought that fighting in WWI would only help England and hurt Canada. They didn’t like the close ties that Canada still had with England. Canada fought in WWI anyway. ◦ Many French Canadians felt that the rest of Canada didn’t care about their opinions.
Quebec used to be a French colony. After independence and for the next 100 years many English speaking people began moving into Quebec. The French people of Quebec were afraid of losing their culture. ◦ They were afraid their language and culture might disappear ◦ They were already outnumbered by English Canadians.
Many in Quebec became French Nationalists. ◦ They no longer thought of themselves as Canadians but as French Canadians. They wanted to protect their language and culture. Many started to think that Quebec should secede from Canada. ◦ i.e. break off and become their own country.
The movement spread slowly but more and more in Quebec began following the movement. In 1980 and in 1995 Quebec voted on whether or not to secede. ◦ Each time more people voted to stay a part of Canada. ◦ The second vote was very close. 49.4% of people wanted to secede 50.6% of people wanted to stay But Canadian government has made it a point to give French Canadians equality.
Even though Quebec did not secede from Canada they have achieved equality with British Canada. They’ve kept their language and culture. ◦ French is one of the official languages of Canada.
The Canadian Government wants Quebec to remain part of its country. For one Quebec is important to Canada’s economy. Quebec has a thriving high-tech industry, abundant natural resources, and a major shipping route long the St. Lawrence River. A large part of Canada’s industry is also centered in Quebec. The Canadian government also fears that Quebec being independent would affect the railway system in Canada, its roads, and water routes.