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American Revolution
During the Revolution many British Loyalists escaped to Canada to avoid punishment from Americans for not supporting independence. -
British Loyalist Refugees
Seeking refuge from America after the American Revolution, many British loyalists came to Canada. Whether they were avoiding punishment from Americans or remaining in North America while remaining loyal to Britain, they settled in Canada. Up to 50 000 loyalists immigrated to Canada. http://www.flickr.com/photos/91792571@N05/8356746351/ -
French Revolution
During the French Revolution many French immigrated to Quebec. http://www.crazygallery.info/REVOLUTION.html -
Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk
Thomas Douglas was a man who unexpectedly inherited his family estate. At the time, he was studying to become a lawyer. While studying, he noticed that certain Scots were being displaced by their landlords. He decided to establish the Red River Colony and bring dozens of Scottish families over to settle, with his newly acquired money. http://www.champlainsociety.ca/photos/ -
War of 1812
The War of 1812, the military conflict between America and the British Empire saw many people immigrate. Many black slaves tried to escape America, because the British had anti-slave sentiments. Some of the slaves settled in Nova Scotia. Many loyalists also settled in Canada during the war. http://teetervillemuseum.ca/events/murder-mystery/murder-mystery-2012-war-of-1812/ -
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The Undeground Railroad
With slavery being illegal in Canada, many black slaves sought refuge in Canada. To get to Canada, slaves had to travel through many secret routes and stay in secret areas to avoid getting captured. There are estimates that over 30 000 slaves came to Canada, with estimates putting the number at over 100 000. Many left Canada once slavery was abolished in the United States, in order to reunite themselves with their family. -
November Uprising
The November Uprising was a rebellion by Poland against the Russian empire. Many Poles either fled or fought, many of those who fled ended up in Canada. http://collections.yadvashem.org/photosarchive/en-us/5749732_12653.html -
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Irish Potato Famine
The Great Famine as it's known in Ireland was a period where many people died of starvation, as well as emigrated from Ireland with fear of dying of hunger. Approximately one million died, and another million immigrated, often arriving upon the shores of Canada. -
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Chinese Immigration
The first substantial immigration of Chinese immigrants was in 1858 during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. They came from California and China itself. Chinese were later employed in the early 1880s to construct the difficult stretches of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Upon immigration, the Chinese often had their own communities, often dubbed Chinatown. -
Charlottetown Conference
This was a conference that looked to unite the colonies of British North America and discuss Canadian confederation. The advantages of uniting would include being economically stronger, and to have greater military power. More people would immigrate to Canada if it was richer, as well as safer because of newfound military power. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/featured/charlottetown-1864-the-persuasive-power-of-champagne -
Dominion Lands Act
The Dominion Lands Act was a law in Canada that encouraged immigration and settlement in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. The Act primarily focused on and encouraged European and American pioneers, as well as those who resided in eastern Canada. The settler was given 160 acres of land free, as long as they proved upon the land by cultivating on at least a quarter of the land and by building a homestead within three years. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/immigrants/021017-6210-e.html -
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Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Building of a railway that reached the Pacific Ocean ensured the expansion and population of western Canada. Many people would travel on this railway to reach the free land on the prairies. -
Chinese Immigration Act of 1885
This act placed a head tax on Chinese immigrating to Canada. Each Chinese person had to pay 50 dollars to enter the country. It was eventually raised to 100 dollars, as well as 500 dollars, two years’ salary. http://unimaps.com/flags-asia/china-print2.html -
Ukrainian Migration
Ukrainians came to Canada in 1891 fleeing Austro-Hungarian rule. Over the next few years over 170 000 Ukrainians would flee to Canada. This makes them the ninth largest ethnic group today. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadian -
Immigration Act of 1906
This act made it easier to deal with undesirable immigrants by means of deportation. It expanded what was considered undesirable in a person. Examples include, the mentally challenged, those with diseases, as well as people who could not see or hear. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/passengers-quebec-1865-1900/index-e.html
