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Act of Union Passed
The act united the British colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada under one government, creating the Province of Canada.
It was proposed in hopes to create a common commercial system throughout Canada, as well as an English speaking majority province. (Image: First page of the Act of Union) -
Grand Trunk Railway is Completed
The major railway connecting Toronto to Montreal. At the time, it was the world's largest railway system at 2,055 km of track. The map shows the complex connections the GTR makes throughout the Province of Canada. -
Canada Becomes a Dominion
Canada became its own country, not through revolution or war but through several conferences and negotiations. Confederation established the colony of Canada to become a dominion on its own. (Image: The Fathers of Confederation) -
Control of Rupert’s Land Transferred to Canadian Government
As the Hudson's Bay Company found it difficult to maintain control over such a vast territory as the 1860s progressed, in order to survive as a business, transferred control of Rupert's Land to the Canadian government. The largest land purchase, Canada expanded to double its size, in return the HBC received 300 000($1.5 million), 2.8 million hectares of prairie farmland, and the right to continue the fur trade. (Image: Map prior to purchase) -
The Red River Rebellion
The settlers of Red River were angered that the Hudson's Bay Company had transferred their land without consulting them, so a group of Metis fighting for their land was formed. They wanted to ensure that the Red River settlers would retain their rights, even if transferred to Canada's government. John A. Macdonald ignored them at first, as their actions became more severe, he dispatched a force of 1,200 so the rebellion was stopped and their leader exiled. (Image: Rebellion's government) -
BC joins confederation
British Columbia, a previous colony, became Canada’s sixth confirmed province. Under the conditions of Canada agreeing to take on BC's debt, to build a railway for the Pacific coast, and to allow BC to send some of its representatives to be sent to the parliament, the term was passed. -
North West Mounted Police Formed
As American whisky traders plagued the Northwest Territories, the government established the NWMP(North-West Mounted Police) in order to put a stop to them. This was the first establishment of Canada's police force. (Image: NWMP officers) -
Canadian Pacific Railway is Completed
The commencement of this project was part of the conditions of British Columbia joining Confederation. The CPR connected East Canada with BC, allowing trade and transportation to be possible. The CP used the land granted to them(25 million acres) in order to build the railway, then continued on to use their transportation as a catch to recruit immigrants, a single acre sold at $2.50. (Image: Advertisement for the CPR) -
Period: to
Canada's Population Almost Doubles
See 'Highest-Ever Immigration Rate to Canada'. Canada's population jumped from 4.8 million to 8.7 million between this time. Though, the open-door policy was stopped by 1904. -
Highest Ever Immigration Rate to Canada
Canada had an "open-door" immigration policy, not putting any restrictions on the immigrants. Very diverse crowds of immigrants came to Canada, the highest time being 1913. Canada was a place where anyone—Americans, Britons, Europeans, and Asians—could improve their lives, open fields for farming, free land, great economy, such factors pulled over 400,870 immigrants into Canada in 1913 alone. (Image: Passengers immigrating to Canada) -
World War I Begins
Though Canada did not voluntarily go to war, as a part of the British Empire, it was put to war, allied with France, Serbia, and Russia. Approximately 330,000 Canadians enlisted, which was impressive, but not exactly meeting expectations. The young nation struggled to be a part of such a horrid war, but went on to prove some competence and was later rewarded a presence at the Versailles conference and a seat in the League of Nations. (Image: Enlistment Advertisement)
