Canada had been inhabited for many years by First Nations or Aboriginals and has evolved into a multicultural, bilingual federation from an European colonies’ group. Canada obtained sovereignity peacefully from the United Kingdom which had been the country’s last colonial possessor, in the 20th century.
European Contact
There have been many reports of contact being made between the country’s first peoples and other continents before Christopher Columbus. After Columbus, there have been settlements of Basque Cod whalers and fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrader. Later the European explorer called John Cabot landed on the North American coast and claimed it for England’s King Henri VIII. In 1534, Jacques Cartier set up colonies further inland in Canada. In 1605, Samuel de Champlain made the first French settlement in Port Royal and New France in 1609. The British claimed the places around Hudson Bay and south Nova Scotia and also had their presence in Newfoundland.
New France(1604-1763)
After Quebec City was found by Champlain in 1608, it became New France’s capital. The communities in the coastal regions were mainly based on cod fishery and, along the St. Lawrence River, the economy was based on farming. Fur trade was also done by the French voyagers but this encouraged only a small population. Immigration to this area was low and it had only a population of 6500 by the year 1759.
Wars in Colonial Era
Repeated number of wars were fought between France and Britain in 17th and 18th centuries. During the Seven Year’s War the control of Quebec City was gained by the British after the 1759 ‘Battle of the Plains of Abraham’ and Montreal in 1760.
Canada under the British control( 1764-1867)
After the ‘Seven Year’s Wars’ end and signing of the ‘Treaty of Paris’ in 1763, most of the territories were ceded by France to the British. The British ruler left alone most of the French speaking inhabitants in their social, politics, religions and culture. In the next century violent conflicts continued and lead into the war of 1812 and Rebellion in 1837.
Post-Confederation Canada(1867-1914)
After the British North America Act coming into force in July 1, 1867, the province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick became a federation. Although the country had its monarch in England, the term ‘dominion’ was used to show Canada as the self governing colony of the Empire of Britain. In 1870, the dominion was joined by Manitoba, in 1871 by British Columbia and in 1873 by Prince Edward Island.
World Wars
Canada participated in the First World War and the highpoints of its military achievements were the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 9th April, 1917. In 1918, Canada spearheaded the Allied Attacks and defeated more than 40 German divisions. The success of the Canadian troops made the government more assertive. They also became less deferential to the British authority. Canada was also involved in the Second World War after declaring war on Germany in September 10, 1939. The forces of Canada were involved in Hongkong’s failed defense, Italy’s Allied Invasion, Battle of Normandy and the Dieppe Raid.
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