Snapshots of Canadian History

Norse Exploration Vikings were the first to “discover” Canada around 1000 AD They crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Norway and some temporarily settled in Newfoundland In 1960, archaeologists found this site where they believe Vikings settled for about 60 years before returning to Norway

Snapshots of Canadian History Add picture and notes to Vikings AD 1000 First Europeans arrive in Canada

French Exploration All European explorers came to Canada for one of two reasons: gold & silver or looking for a shortcut across North America by boat. Why a shortcut across North America by boat? They wanted to ship goods more quickly to Asia. Up to this point, they had to sail around the southern tip of South America or Africa. If they could find a Northwest Passage, they would be rich! What they did not know is that this passage did not exist.

The French Fur Trade Fur hats made of beaver pelts were very fashionable in Europe in the 1500s. Unfortunately, there were few beavers left in Europe. So French fur traders looked to Canada for a new source of fur Their first fur trading settlement was on the banks of the St. Lawrence River.

French Exploration In 1609, Samuel Champlain founded the fur trading post that grew into the city of Quebec The First Nations (Indians) people trapped the beaver. The French traded with the Huron and Ottawa Indians for metal, cloth, & tools in exchange for beaver pelts.

French Exploration First Nations people taught the French to make birch bark canoes so they could sail the Great Lakes quickly. French explorer Jean Nicolet rode in a canoe to map the coastline of the St. Lawrence R. and the Great Lakes. They claimed the land for France and named it “New France.” The French continued to live peacefully with the First Nations people

Snapshots of Canadian History Add picture and notes for French 1400s European Explorers return to Canada 1608 French establish New France Living peacefully with the Natives French claim “New France” which today is the province of Quebec

British Exploration While the French were fur trading peacefully with the First Nations people, British explorers continued to look for a Northwest Passage In 1610, Henry Hudson discovered a bay and named it after himself. The British were also determined to set up fur trading posts. They started a fur trading company named the Hudson’s Bay Company and their headquarters was at the mouth of the Nelson River.

British Exploration The British also set up trading outposts inland. These outposts could be dangerous because they were always raided. The French raided the British outposts The British raided the French outposts. Eventually both groups wanted Canada all to themselves…

French & Indian War (Seven Years War) France & England had been fighting wars for centuries. Both wanted control of Canada First Nations people helped the French fight the British, which is why it’s called the French AND Indian War—they fought together against the British

French & Indian (7 Years) War The French and Indians lost the war to the British In 1763, the French & British signed the Treaty of Paris which made France give up almost ALL of its North American land to the British. This was tricky because about 65,000 French settlers lived in Quebec. Some moved to Louisiana in the U.S., but many stayed and became part of the British Empire.

Snapshots of Canadian History Add picture and notes for 7 Years War (French & Indian War) Mid-1700s British win all of Canada British British take over all of Canada

Canada Becomes a Dominion Canada did not become an independent country overnight As a colony of England since 1763, some Canadians began to revolt for their independence in about 1837. The Queen of England did not want another war with colonists so she united Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia & New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada. No war was fought! A dominion is a self-governing confederation where many parts come together as one.

Canada Becomes a Dominion Other provinces wanted to join this stable country of Canada. By 1870, Manitoba, NW Territories, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island joined Canada. They were all led by a prime minister but they were still not completely independent & their country was still tied to England Dominion of Canada was still tied to England. (get it?)

Snapshots of Canadian History Add pic & notes for Canada Becomes a Dominion 1867 Canada becomes a dominion British allow partial independence leash But not really independent—still on a leash with England

Canada’s Independence Canada had been slowly gaining independence from Great Britain since the 1840s. Britain still maintained some control. In 1931, the British parliament passed a law that gave complete independence to Canada.

Canada’s Independence The 1931 law said that the king or queen of Great Britain would be Canada’s head of state. BUT, the head of state would NOT have ruling power Instead, the head of state would be just a symbol of leadership

Snapshots of Canadian History Add pic & notes for Independence “Can we be independent now?” They never had to fight a war! 1931 received complete independence (but still maintains close ties with United Kingdom)