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Period: to
Top 10 Events
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End of War of 1812
The War of 1812 contributed to Canada's national identity. Its soldiers were instrumental in repelling the American invaders, which brought about a sense of national pride. The negotiations following the end of the war shaped Canada's borders and its feeling of nationality -
Rebellions of 1837-1838
The Rebellions of 1837-1838 were fought over responsible government and minority rights, specifically those of French-Canadian peoples. The rebellions were eventually successful, as they resulted in Lord Durham's 1840 Report on The Affairs of British North America, which helped pave the road to Confederation. -
Act of Union Passed
The Act of Union united Upper and Lower Canada into one nation. It was a direct result of the Rebellion of 1837 and Lord Durham's reports on it. -
Gold Rush
The Gold Rush brought a wave of economic and population growth to British Columbia and the Yukon. -
Confederation
Confederation brought the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec together into one independent country- Canada. While this was not the end of the creation of our nation, it marked a crucial step in the process. -
Rupert's Land and Northwest Territory Purchased From Hudson's Bay Company
In 1870, the new Canadian government purchased a vast expanse of land from the Hudson's Bay company. This land been rich in furs, but by the late 19th century it was no longer profitable for the company. So the land was sold to Canada in the largest land transaction in Canadian history. The government gained what was to become modern Northern and Western Ontario, all of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the Territories. -
Northwest Rebellion
The Northwest Rebellion was an uprising of the Metis peoples, lead by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont (my distant relative). The rebellion was started over Ottawa's willful ignorance of the plight of Native peoples in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the breaking of treaties. At first, Riel tried to be diplomatic, but when those overtures were ignored, militant action was taken. In a series of clashes with the NWMP, the rebels were eventually defeated. -
Completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway was made in order to connect Eastern and Western Canada. British Columbia had made an agreement to join Confederation, but only if the government would build a railway to link them to the rest of Canada. The railway was completed six years ahead of schedule, when the last spike was driven into the ground at Craigellachie, British Columbia. -
Alberta and Saskatchewan join Confederation
In 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan were carved out of the vast Northwest Territory and formed into their own provinces. This was done because the growing population of the Prairie Provinces needed infrastructure, and a government was needed to collect taxes for these things. The growing population was created by a change in industries, and the people thought they deserved a government the same as Ontario's or Quebec's. -
Canada joins WWI
When Great Britain went to war, it was unquestionable that Canada would do the same. In an impressive show of solidarity for a nation with a standing army of only 3000 men, Canada went to war. The social and economic makeup of Canada quickly changed, with women filling many of the jobs usually taken by men. This conflict would forever change not only Canada, but the world.
