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9000 BCE
Aboriginal Settlements
In 12 000 BCE, Indigenous peoples took the Bering Land Bridge to travel from Siberia to Alaska, then migrated throughout North and South America in the years to follow (3). This created the footwork for future conflict in the "discovery" of Canada, tension betweens different cultural groups and territorial issues. Ultimately, it affected the people already in North America and coming to North America in a military, political and economic aspect. (A): commonconstitutionalist.com -
1451
Haudenosaunee League of Five Nations
Five Indigenous groups - the Mohawk, Cayuga, Seneca, Oneida and Onondoga - settled their differences through the Great Law of Peace. They helped each other economically, politically and in the sense of military organization (4). The joining of these five groups helped to create an alliance and resistance to any future issues that may come their way. It also lead to much tension between the five groups and other Indigenous communities. (B): http://www.jannaludlow.co.uk/Angelique/Book_7.html -
1497
John Cabot Reaches Newfoundland
John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) travelled in May 1497 to Newfoundland, where he claimed the land on behalf of the King. He was the first European explorer since the Vikings to reach the eastern shore. (1) (4) (C): https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-cabot-14964.php -
1535
Jacques Cartier explores the St. Lawrence region
Cartier was the first frenchman to come to North America.
He was sent to "discover certain islands and lands where it is said that a great quantity of gold and other precious things to be found" (1). The Stadacona and Hochelaga were eager to trade with him after making European trades of fur and fish for European goods. Since he did not understand the Indigenous culture, this created conflict between him and Indigenous groups. (1) (D): http://thehistoryjunkie.com/jacques-cartier-facts/ -
First French Settlement
Samuel de Champlain arrived to North America in 1603. After seeing and spending time in Acadia, Champlain creates and establishes the first french settlement where Quebec City stands in 1609 (6). This created a base for fur trade being located next to water, allowing an easier time trapping animals for fur. Also this settlement allowed for the french to establish sovereignty over the Indigenous. (E): journaldemontreal.com -
Hudson's Bay Company
The creation of the HBC allowed for a fur trade monopoly from all lands that drained by by rivers flowing into the Hudson Bay. (9) This resulted in trading forts being built and an increase in fur trade, giving an advantage to the British, and a major disadvantage to the French. Without access to the river and trading forts, the French could not thrive. They had been cut off from one of their main sources of income. This leaves them in a weak position. (F): sylvanlakelibrary.blogspot.com -
Peace Treaty
The French and approximately 38 Indigenous groups sign a peace contract, allowing for alliance between the two groups (7). They met near Montreal. The significance comes in the fact that Indigenous people can no longer support the British. The treaty resulted in 16 years of peace between groups. (G): wikipedia.org -
Treaty of Utrecht
Between 1713 and 1715, individual peace treaties were signed, creating the Treaty of Utrecht. The treaty ended the war, decided territory between Indigenous people, French and British, and also made Acadia a British colony. (7) This treaty worsened the tensions between these groups as well as the Wabanaki Confederacy and the Mi'kmaq. The Treaty of Utrecht helps set the groundwork for the Acadian Expulsion. (H): wikipedia.org -
Expulsion of Acadians
With Acadia as a British colony, challenged for British rule were created. This included new territory, boundary lines, territorial control, a large French Catholic population and hostile Indigenous populations. Acadian leaders were called to meet with British lieutenant governor Charles Lawrence in July 1755 to discuss fighting against the French if the time came. Seemingly being rejected by the Acadians, he ordered the deportation of the entire Acadian population. (7) (I) -
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
In 1759, Montcalme and Wolfe both perished after Wolfe decided to conquest Quebec. The troops set up forces to attack Quebec using the L'Anse du Foulon. After the two leaders passed, this led to the conquest of Quebec. Having control of Quebec was significant as it led to talks. (J): www.oldgloryprints.com -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years War / French and Indian War. It created an alliance of aboriginal parties, resulting in France giving up all their territories in mainland North America. This reduced their ability to protect themselves military wise. (7) -
Act of Proclamation
The Act created a guideline for how North America would be governed. Under the Proclamation Act, Quebec became its own separate colony with majority of the lands that ran into the St. Lawrence. It also restricted trade to only British and Indigenous people. The British were granted trade and expansion as well. (8) (K): wikipedia.org -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act allowed Quebec to be its own. They were appointed a new governor and council, French civil code would be officially used and the Roman Catholic Church was given the recognition they wanted as well. This allowed the French to continue with their religion. (8) (L) -
Loyalists
After the United States created the Declaration of Independence in 1776, loyalists were seen as committing treason. They were American colonists who still remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. The loyalists spread throughout North America. (8) (M) -
War of 1812
The US invaded what is now Canada in 1812. With the surge of loyalists, Britain assumed it would be defended by the loyalists, but this did not happen. (8) Without winning the war of 1812, Canada would cease to exist and we would be part of the United States. It stopped with the Treaty of Ghent. (N): csmonitor.com -
Rebellions
Upper and Lower Canada sparked confederation in 1837 by creating uprisings. They wanted their own form of government and not to be under British control, so they challenged the British governor, wanting their own control over their colony. Political reform was important to the populations of Upper and Lower Canada. Both seemingly failed and did not attract the support they were wanting. (1) (O) -
Confederacy
On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada was created.
Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick came together as one, marking history for Canada. (P)
