-
Jan 1, 1500
European Explorers
In the 1500's European explorers came to Canada to claim lands. They realized that this land was rich in resources. Settlement began, with people seeking new life in the new world. The two European countries that figured the most were Britain and France. -
Britain vs France
The 7 year war ended in 1763, France had to surrender its land to North America to Britain. From this time on Britain controlled most of North America -
Britain vs America
This war began because the thirteen colonies, which we now call the United States, were angry at the way Britain had been treating them. In 1775 the war began in fight for their independence! -
The Problems of the British Colonies: Economic Problems
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
In order for their economies to do well, the colonies needed to be able to sell their goods to other markets. At this time there were very few places that they could sell to. -
British North America
The idea of all colonies joining together to make Canada, became popular. -
The Problems of the British Colonies
In the 1860's the British colonies were facing many problems. -
The Problems of the British Colonies: Political Problems
POLITICAL PROBLEMS
The government of the province of Canada did not run smoothly because the English-speaking halves had different ideas about how things should be run. -
The Problems of the British Colonies: Military Problems
MILITARY PROBLEMS
The relationship between B.N.A and the United States had never been stable. The relationship became even worse when Britain supported the South in the American civil war. The North won the war and was angry at Britain for helping the South. Many Americans wanted to take over all of what is Canada now. -
Charlottetown Conference
The first of three conferences that led to Confederation in 1867 was held in Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island. The politicians from the Province of CAnada convinced the politicians from New Brunswick , Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to consider a larger union. They agreed to meet again to discuss Confederation. The next conference was at Quebec City. -
Quebec Conference
During this conference the leaders had to work out how the new country would be run. The decisions they came to were called the Quebec Resolutions. Although Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland both took part, after the conference they both decided not to join Confederation at that time. -
Period: to
London Conerence
This was the last conference, and it took place in London, England. Leaders from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the province of Canada had to take the rough draft of the Quebec Resolutions and come up with a final agreement. The document they created was called the British North America Act. Once British Parliament approved it, Confederation could go ahead. -
People in the Background
When Canada entered Confederation over a cerntury ago some groups of people were not given the chance to participate in the talks or to have their opinions heard. Two groups were especially important: native peoples and women. -
Native Peoples
The First Nations and Inuit people lived in N.America for 1000's of years. By the time for Confederation European settlers took control of most land. Treaties were made with many First Nations to move them to reserves. Plan was to make Native people fit in with Europeans. Not only did the politicians try to change the life of these people, but they also didn't include them in negotiations for Confederation. Native people had no say over the future land that they had lived on for 1000's of years. -
Women's Rights
At the time of Confederation in 1867 women were not allowed to be politicians. They were not even allowed to vote in federal elections. It was not until 1918 that women could vote in federal elections, and not until 1919 that women gained the right to be elected to the House of Commons. At the time of Confederation women did not have the power to express themselves in politics. -
Canada Became a Country
Canada became a country with four provinces. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada was split into two new provinces: Ontario and Quebec.
