1. Snapshots of Canadian History

2. 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

3. Snapshots of Canadian History
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AD 1000 First Europeans arrive in Canada

4. 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.

5. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Snapshots of Canadian History
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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

10. 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.

11. 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…

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Snapshots of Canadian History
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Mid-1700s
British win all of Canada
British
British take over all of Canada

15. 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.

16. 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?)

17. Snapshots of Canadian History
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1867 Canada becomes a dominion
British allow partial independence
leash
But not really independent—still on a leash with England

18. 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.

19. 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

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