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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
Immigration to Canada
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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers America
Christopher Columbus set sail on the third of August, 1492 to discover a new passage to Asia through sea due to the Ottoman Empire taking over Istanbul from the Byzantine Empire forcing the europeans to find a new way to Asia. He arrived in the Americas on the twelfth of October 1491, though at the time he believed it to be Asia until further explorations proved it not to be. Him discovering the Americas lead to the groundwork for further explorations. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot Reaches Newfoundland
John Cabot was the first explorer to reach Canada on the 24 of June 1497. He was comissioned by Henry VII of England and is considered to be the first to explore the mainlands of the Americas since the Norse Viking visits to Vinland. On this voyage however he did not have contact with any Natives and discovered mostly the coast. -
Samuel Champlain Establishes a French Colony (Quebec City)
Samuel Champlain was the first to establish a colony in Canada on the third of July, 1608. It would be named Quebec City and will grow to be one of the biggest cities in Quebec and play a large role in New France. This started the french colonization of Canada. -
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Jesuits in New France
The Jesuits came to New France as missionaries in a attempt to convert the native population to Christanity and assimilate them into the european style of living. They were met with high resistance and had trouble convertng the native population. -
Hudson Bay Company is Formed
On the second of May, 1670 the Hudson Bay Company is formed which will soon play a major role in trade and politics in Canada. It was often the de facto government in parts of americas before european countries or the united states claimed those lands. They as well played a major role in exploring the americas and developing relation with the natives who lived there. -
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The Great Expulsion
After New France was formally conceeded to Great Britain the great expulsion occured around 40 years later and 11,500 of the 14,500 Acadians were deported to the Thirteen Colonies and were forced to leave their homes. In the Treaty of Utrecht the Acadians were allowed to keep their lands, but refused to take an oath of allegiance to Britain. They did several military operations and Britain deported to get rid of the threat in the area. -
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The battle of the plains of Abraham played a pivotal point in the seven years wars, it decided the fate of New France and ultimately Canada. There was less then 10,000 soldiers between both sides and though there was a three month siege by the British on Quebec City the actual battle only lasted 15 minutes. Both of the generals ended up dieing in the conflict and the French were forced to relinquish their hold on Quebec City and retreat. -
New France is Formally Ceded to Britain
The treaty of Paris was signed on the tenth of February, 1763 which relinquished Frances hold of all their settlments in the Americas besides several islands. This would later cause the Great Expulsion of the French Acadians and culture clashes between the French population and English population of Canada. -
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Undergrpund Railroad
More then 30,000 people were said to have escaped slavery in the United States to Canada during the peak period of the Underground Railroad. Most former slaves would end up settling in Ontario making several new black communities. It is estimated the 100,000 slaves in total escaped from slavery through the Underground Railroad. -
Loyalist Refugees Arrive in Canada
80,000-100,000 refugees fled America and after the revolution and half of them came to Canada influencing Canadian politics and culture heavily. Their arrival started the predominantly english speaking population east and west of the Quebec border. It also started the division of Upper and Lower Canada so the loyalists could live under British law and institutions and the French in Upper Canada could continue practicing Civil Law and what they were accustomed to. -
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War of 1812
Britain and America declared war on each other during this time and was considered a theater of Napoleonic wars. America tried launching an invasion of Canada and tried to take Montreal, but failed in doing so. They also stopped a Native American government from happening in the mid-west which would've been sponsored by Britain. -
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The Great Migration
The industrial revolution and a large population boom in Europe forced 800, 000 people to immigrate to Canada from Europe growing our population extensively.They came hear to find work that was unavailable at the time in Europe. -
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Rebellions Against Britain in Upper & Lower Canada
The Rebellions of 1837 were two seperate rebellions in Upper & Lower Canada, a shared goal between the two rebellions was winning responsible government to create a independant Canada. Britain crushed both of the rebellions ending the possibility of those two republics. -
Canadian Confederation is Formed
On the first of July, 1867 the Canadian Confederation was formed, the four first provines were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scota and New Brunswick. This would be the start of country we know today and affected immigration to Canada heavily. Though they would still be very dependant on Britain for some time this would be the first time Canada would be considered as a state. -
Dominion Lands Act
In 1872 the Dominion Lands Act was enacted giving 160 acres to anyone who immigrated to Western Canada for free, but had a small registration fee (10$). They did not have to be British subjects, but once they got the piece of land they had to improve it. -
Canadian Pacific Railway is Finished
The Canadian Pacific Railway would connect the east coast to the west coast and was vital in connecting Canada and allowing us to be able to transfer supplies and resources across the country in just days. This would later play a large role in Canada's history, deterring the United States from attacking Canada and aiding transporting supplies and people during WW2 & WW1.
