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Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovered America
Christopher Columbus discovered America on August 3rd, 1492. He discovery was essential to immigration because he returned to Europe and shared the news of what he had found. European settlers who came to America first, carved the past for future immigrants. -
Period: 1530 to 1540
Fur Trade
The fur trade lasted approximately a total of 10 years in Canada. The fur trade was essential to the beginning of immigration because of the opportunities and work offers the trade had to offer. Canada also offered many resources such as; beaver pelts, wood, fish, land for crops, etc. that was appealing to European explorers who came to Canada and settled. -
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Arrival of the King's Daughters
In the early stages of New France, Kings from all of Europe sent their daughters to New France for seven years strictly to breed children. This even related to Canadian immigration because the goal of sending these women over to New France was to grow the population and to encourage more settlers to come. -
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The Great Dispersal
Between the years 1755-1770, more than 10,000 Acadian are sent into exile. These people were deported to American colonies and were scattered throughout New France, Caribbean, and Louisiana. This period of time relates to immigration because these people were sent to these places to help grow the population and build a life for themselves. -
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The Seven Years War
The seven years war lasted between the years 1756 – 1763. This war relates to Canadian immigration because at the end of the war the French population greatly reduced, meaning Britain was able to bring more settlers into Canada. -
The Battle of the Plains
The Battle of the Plains was a British invasion force led by James Wolfe who defeated French troops lead by Marquis Montcalm. This invasion lead to the surrender of Quebec to Britain on Sept. 13th, 1759. This invasion impacted immigration following the attack because there was such a heavy British presence in New France drawing more British settlers to come. -
American Invasion on Quebec
American revolutionists attacked Quebec on Dec. 31st, 1775 to try to gain support for the American Revolution. Quebec knew America was attacking and shut the American army down, defeating them. This invasion relates to immigration because at the end of the attack, American’s surrendered and the survivors fled to New York. -
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Introduction of Loyalists
Loyalists were people who supported Britain during the American Revolution. For staying true to Britain, these people were exiled and became refugees in their own country by the government they once trusted in. This time span relates to immigration because these loyalists migrated out of Britain and settled in New York. -
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The Great Migration
The great migration was a period in history where many people from all over the world came to Canada in search of a new life. Between the years 1815-1850, many British immigrants came to Canada in search of job opportunities, since at this time, jobs in Britain were being taken over by the introduction of industrial tools. -
Battle of Seven Oaks
When European settlers first arrived in Red River, tensions were high between the Northwest Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company's trading posts. The Battle of Seven Oaks was a fight fought between the two companies which ending in them becoming one company. This fight was essential for Canadian immigration because the company offered many job and trade opportunities for European settlers. -
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The Undergroud Railway
The underground railway was a network constructed of secret routes and safe houses organized by people who helped save men, women, and children from slavery in America. The underground railway was essential in helping slaves escape and give them a chance to start a new life here in Canada. -
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Ireland Famine
This famine was caused by a failure of potato crops in Ireland. As a result of this famine many people went hungry and couldn’t continue to pay rent, etc. This famine relates to Canadian migration because these families pick up their things, left Ireland and came to Canada in search of a new life. -
Quebec Conference of 1864
The Quebec conference of 1864 was a gathering of all the political figures that believed in the idea of building a railway connected all the colonies of Great Britain together. This idea was essential to immigration among the colonies because the construction of a railway would bring immigrants to Canada. -
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The Last Best West Posters
Between the years 1869-1914 the Canadian government put up posters all over Europe trying to convince people to come and settle in Canada. The Canadian Government convinced people to come by advertising 160 acres of free land to immigrants. This relates to Canadian immigration because many people came to Canada and began to farm. -
Indian Act established
The Indian Act was established in 1876 as a way for the Canadian Government to deal with the First Nation land issues. The Indian Act relates to immigration because the Canadian Government used it as a way to gain power and push the First Nations off their land. This newly cleared land attracted new settlers wanting to come to Canada. -
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Chinese Head Tax
Between the years 1880-1885, Chinese men came to Canada to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway in hopes of once it was completed, they would be able to become citizens of Canada. After the railway was finished the Canadian government placed a head tax of a $50 entrance fee to discourage men from entering Canada. This head tax relates to Canadian immigration because this head tax was used to block Chinese men out of Canada to make room for settler from Great Britain, Europe, and Asia instead. -
Batoche
Batoche was a battle fought at Duck Lake between the North-west RCMP of the Government of Canada and the Metis community. After 3 days of fighting, the Metis community was out-numbered and they surrendered. This relates to immigration because the Metis were fighting for their land. Once they had lost, their land was taken over by European settlers. -
The Death of Louis Riel
Louis Riel was killed on Nov.16th, 1885 on account of high treason. His death relates to immigration of Canada because the metis community surrendered to the Canadian Government. Now that the metis has surrendered and their leader is dead, the Canadian Government has gained power over the metis. It will be easier for the government to push the metis community aside to make room for new European settlers. -
Addition of Saskatchewan and Alberta
On Sept.1st, 1905, the promise of two new provinces; Saskatchewan and Alberta became a reality. The addition of the two new provinces helped expand the fur trade and create new opportunities for incoming immigrants. The 64 hectares of good farm land and soil was given to immigrants to begin their new live’s here in Canada. -
The Start of World War I
World War I began on July 28th, 1914. The war started because the Duke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. The beginning of the war relates to immigration around the world because of safety concerns and the push for forced military services. Immigrants wanted to come to Canada to take shelter and find safety.
