The document summarizes key events in Canadian history between French and British rule up until the present day. It outlines how Canada transitioned from being ruled by Britain to becoming an independent nation with its own constitution and parliamentary system of government, while maintaining ties to other former British colonies through the Commonwealth of Nations.
2. The French and the British
• 1713 France and Britain sign peace treaty
▫ GB gets Hudson Bay Newfoundland, and part of
Acadia
▫ French controlled lowlands south of Hudson Bay
• Both countries wanted the Ohio River valley
▫ The French for the beavers (fur trading)
▫ The British for the land (settlement)
3. The French and the British
• The Treaty of Paris
▫ Gave GB complete control over Canada
• The Quebec Act
▫ Gave French people in Quebec the right to speak
their own language, practice their own religion
and follow their own customs
4.
5. The French and the British
• Loyalists
▫ American that did not want independence from
GB
▫ After the war many moved to Canada
• 2 colonies
▫ Quebec = French = Lower Canada
▫ Ontario = Loyalists/GB = Upper Canada
8. British Rule
• Both French and British Canadians, hated British
rule
▫ Felt Britain was too far away
• Louis Papineau
▫ French Canadian
▫ Organized a revolt, wanted to make Lower Canada a
separate country
• William McKenzie
▫ Organized a revolt in Upper Canada
• British won both times, revolts were unsuccessful
9.
10. A Peaceful Revolution
• July 1, 1867
▫ Britain accepts British North America Act
▫ Made Canada a dominion
Dominion = self governing area
Could elect own leaders in Canada
Control their own government
Britain still had some control (little, but some)
11. Yukon Territory
• 1890s
▫ Gold & other minerals discovered
▫ Brought miners to the far NW
▫ Canada becoming rich and important
14. The Growth of Industry
• Industrialization strengthens Canada’s economy
• 1969
▫ Law passed making Canada a bilingual country
▫ Official languages = French & English
• 1976
▫ Some French Canadians do not want to be part of
Canada
Argued independence for Quebec
15. A New Constitution
• The British North American Act of 1867
▫ Required GB to approve amendments to the
Canadian Constitution
• Canadians adopt new Constitution in 1982
▫ No longer need GB to approve
▫ Canada becomes completely independent
16. Parliamentary System
• Canada’s government is modeled on the British
system
• Constitutional Monarchy
▫ Constitution & British monarch
• Parliamentary Democracy
▫ Two chambers: House of Commons and Senate
17. Commonwealth of Nations
• Voluntary organization
• Members are former British colonies
• Purpose = cooperation
▫ Especially with trade and economics
