Pre-Confederation Timeline

A Brief Look at Canada before Confederation

The first Nations 500 A.D. – 1000 A.D.

Various groups of First Nations are scattered across the Continent (Iroquois, Algonquian, Northwest Coast, Arctic)

Aboriginals lived off the land and governed themselves

Early Asian and European Exploration 500 A.D. – 1100 A.D.

Possible visits to west coast of North America from Asia and east coast from Europe

Archaeological evidence proves voyages by Vikings

Age of Exploration 1450 - 1600 Europeans searching for trade routes to Asia explore North

America and claim land in name of mother countries (Cartier, Cabot, Champlain, Columbus, Hudson)

Mercantilism leads to further colonization of North America European contact with First Nation changes aboriginal way of

life

Period of Colonization 1600-1660 The appearance of colonies on the East Coast on North

America (Acadia, Newfoundland) and along the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Montreal)

First permanent settlement established by Champlain in 1608 Beginning for the fur trade in North America

Period of French Colonial Rule 1663-1759

Royal Government is established Seigneurial system of farming Fur trade grows Struggle for control between Britain and France 1713-1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham 1759 gives control to Britain

Period of British Colonial Rule 1763-1931

Quebec act is passed giving Quebec and New France to the British, changing the government structure to attempt to gain of the favor of the Canadiens

Loyalist Migration 1776-1815 Thousands of British Loyalists living in the 13 colonies begin

migrating North during and after the American Revolution Changes the population of New France drastically Causes political instability in the colony Leads to the formation of new colonies (New Brunswick, Cape

Breton) separate from Nova Scotia

The Constitutional Act 1791 Quebec divided into Upper Canada (Ontario) where the

English speaking majority settled, and Lower Canada (Quebec) where the French speaking majority settled.

War of 1812 (1812-1814) United States of America declares war on Britain in British

North America Decreased American immigration and increased immigration

from Britain Feelings of pride and a sense unity began in Upper and Lower

Canada First Nations are valuable allies, then forced to assimilate

Rebellions (1837-1838) Radicals such as Louis-Joseph Papineau and William Lyon

Mackenzie lead rebellions in Lower and Upper Canada to try and over throw corrupt legislative and appointed councils

Rebellions were quickly ended by British but lead to Durham Report which recommends a Uniting the two Canadas, and granting responsible government to the colonies of British North America

Act of Union 1841 In 1841 the Act of Union created the United Province of

Canada with a single government with equal representation from Canada West (formally Upper Canada) and Canada East (formally Lower Canada)

Allowed Canada East and West to build railways, expand industry, and increase growth in farming and forestry

Mini-AssignmentWrite one paragraph discussing which of the following events you believe was the most significant factor in the formation of Canada, and why it was so significant.• European Exploration• French colonial rule• British colonial rule• Loyalist migration• Constitutional Act 1791• War of 1812• Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions of 1837• Act of Union 1841Feel Free to do some extra research or include other information not discussed in class to support your response.

Reminder!!

Just a little reminder for you all when your formulating your responses……

There is no such thing as a right or wrong answer……

There’s only………

Supported

Or

Unsupported