History 255 Pre-Confederation Timeline: Shae Ellis, Student Number: 11192276, Instructor: Andrew Watson, Due Date: November 8, 2018
By ShaeS97
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9000 BCE
Indigenous peoples first begin to live in what is now Canada
The Indigenous peoples of Canada migrated from Asia, possibly through the Bering Land Bridge.
As such, the Indigenous peoples truly have been in Canada since the beginning and the later debates over the "discovery" of Canada are not truly valid. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation,' BC Open Textbook Project.
https://opentextbc.ca/preconfederation/ -
1451
Haudenosaunee Confederacy formed
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (League of Five Nations) was formed as a result of different issues between the five nations as a way to bring peace, as well as to have an advantage over other groups. It is significant because by allying themselves it allowed them to maintain numbers and remain strong even in the face of adversity from colonizers and settlers as well as allowed them to be a strong military force and commercial hub. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History Preconfederation." -
1497
John Cabot explores Cape Breton
John Cabot became the first European (post Vikings) to explore the area that is now Canada and as such was the igniter in the wave of explorations that followed. He essentially put Canada on the map to being explored by other nations, and later the settlement. Belshaw, John Douglas. -
1534
Jacques Cartier first explores the St. Lawrence Region
Cartier was the first Frenchman to explore Canada, as well as he did set up settlement in the St. Lawrence which set the stage for the French to become the main colonial power within Canada for many years to come.
His settlements were however unsuccessful, potentially due to negative relationships with the Indigenous inhabitants of the area, or due to lack of resources or knowledge to be able to survive in the area. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
1541
Cartier founds Charlesbourg-Royal, the first French settlement in the Americas
Charlesbourg-Royal was the first French settlement in the Americas, albeit unsuccessful, it set up France for being the main colonial power in Canada.
Cartier had poor relations with the Indigenous in the area, which may have led to the unsuccessful settlement. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Tadoussac founded
Founded by Francois Grave du Point and Pierre de Chauvin after being granted a fur trading monopoly by King Henry IV of France. Tadoussac was the first major French settlement in America.
It also was the only seaport on the St. Lawrence River for 30 years and as such by the 17th and 18th centuries was the centre for fur trading activity between the French and First Nations peoples and allowed the French a good grip on the fur trade. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Acadia, mainly Ile St Croix Port Royal, was founded by Pierre de Gua de Monts.
Acadia was the first major French settlement in the Americas and allowed for further expansion into the Canadian interior as well as established French presence in the Americas. It also was the sight of several major disagreements and conflicts between the British and the French in the coming decades and centuries, and its' people were the victims of expulsion at the hands of the British a century and a half later. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Samuel de Champlain founds colony at Quebec
Quebec City was the first major French colony and first real successful settlement in the Canadian interior and was the centre of French activity for many years. As well as allowed for greater French activity and sovereignty over the area as well as the fur trade.
Quebec was also a major fortified town, and stopped advances of other troops for many years after its establishment Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Champlain's War
Samuel de Champlain fights with Huron and Algonquin forces against Haudenosaunee (Champlain's War) and exposes Indigenous peoples to firearms for the first time. This is also the first time French allied themselves with Indigenous people militarily and allowed for a stronger connection between French and their allies and thus furthered their interests in the Canadian interior Watson, Andrew. "The Fur Trade." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, October 23, 2018. -
Two Row Wampum Treaty
Two Row Wampum Treaty between Dutch and Haudenosaunee First true "treaty" between the Indigenous peoples of Canada and Europeans, provided the basis for all other treaties made between Haudenosaunee and Europeans in the future, and to the Haudenosaunee is still seen as a valid agreement to this day. Kheraj, Sean, and Tom Peace. Open History Seminar: Canadian History
http;//openhistoryseminar.com/canadianhistory -
Series of Virgin Soil Epidemics (1634-1640)
Series of virgin soil epidemics dessimate Huron population to less than half of what it was prior to contact
Significance: Left Huron vulnerable to dispersion by Haudenosaunee and European settlers, also forced more dependency on Europeans as their population had so greatly decreased. Watson, Andrew. "European Contact and Ecological Imperialism." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, September 25, 2018. -
Royal Takeover of New France
Louis XIV assumes power over New France and makes it an official colony (Belshaw 2015)
The colony now had support from the French Crown and was an official colony but also had to follow French civil law (Coutume de Paris, 1664) which set up New France to exist as it did up until British takeover Watson, Andrew. "The New World in New France." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, October 2, 2018. -
Hudson Bay Company Founded by French traders Médard Chouart des Groseilliers and Pierre-Esprit Radisson whom were the first to suggest a trading company in the interior of the continent through Hudson's Bay.
They did not get support for their idea from the French and thus went to the English and got the support of Prince Rupert whom persuaded the king to finance the venture.
The HBC was to become the only fur trading company in Canada in later centuries, as well as still exists today and also allowed the English access to the Canadian interior and resulted in more English individuals to take up residence in the Hudson Bay area. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Great Peace of Montreal
39 Indigenous nations came together with the French and agreed to peace amongst them
First true "modern" treaty between Indigenous peoples and Europeans, also led to peace between Haudenosaunee and French and their allies Kheraj, Sean, and Tom Peace. "Open History Seminar: Canadian History" -
Treaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht was an agreement that ended the War of Spanish Succession or Queen Anne's War and resulted in many concessions by France in North America.
Acadia officially comes under British possession, which leads to the expulsion of the Acadians later on in the 18th century and sets stage for British control over Canada as well as began to set the scene for the Fall of New France later on this century. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Massacre at Grand Pre/ Battle of Grand Pre
This attack took place during King George's War.
French forces along with Mi'kmaq allies and the Acadia militia surprised British troops that were staying in Acadian homes in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia killing 67, wounding 40, and taking another 40 as prisoners. (As well as resulting in 53 deaths on the other side)
This attack furthered tensions between British and Acadians and partially fueled the Acadian's expulsion a decade later. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Beginning of French and Indian War (1754-1763) and 7 Year War (1756-1763)
French and Indian War and 7 Years War pitted British colonists against French and their Indigenous allies
Ended with the Fall of New France, and to Britain taking over French Canada and pushing the French out. Changed colonial power of Canada and led to many changes within North America. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act granted many allowances to the French population of Canada such as allowing them to expand their territory, granting them religious freedom, and restored French civil law and the seigneurial system to Quebec, and created a permanent government with no provisions for an elected assembly.
The 13 Colonies viewed this negatively as an "Intolerable Act," of British coercion and used it as fuel to revolt. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Expulsion of The Acadians (1755-1763)
The expulsion was ordered after the Acadians refused to sign an oath of allegiance to the British.
Led to the defeat of Louisbourg, and weakening of Mi'kmaq and Acadian militia and devastation of both a primarily civilian population and the economy of the region, and resulted in 1000s of Acadian deaths. Also angered the 13 colonies whom received Acadian refugees without notice from the English and thus further ignited them to revolt. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
First Wave of Loyalists arrive in Halifax as a result of the American Revolution
The Loyalists were individuals that remained loyal to the Crown and as such were promised certain provisions, such as land in Canada. As such over the course of the war about 60,000 Loyalists emigrated to Canada from the United States resulting in an influx of English speaking citizens and an great increase in the population in general. This also led to issues in the future between the French and English speaking Canada. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Siege of Louisbourg
The British attacked Louisbourg beginning on June 8 1758 and proceeded to launch various attacks against Louisbourg throughout June and July with the French finally surrendering on July 26 1758.
The Siege of Louisbourg led to the French losing Atlantic Canada and thus stopped France from having any naval protection which directly allowed for the St. Lawrence to come under attack and thus led to the loss of Quebec City a year later. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Battle of the Plains of Abraham/Fall of Quebec City
Britain's forces and France's forces came to a head after a three month siege in a battle lasting an hour. Both Montcalm and Wolfe were killed as a result of this battle. As a result of this battle Britain was able to take Quebec and thus were able to take all of New France and was a deciding factor in the war. This battle also led directly to the French surrendering in 1760 and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
The Treaty of Paris was signing in 1763 officially ending the Seven Years War and the French and Indian War.
With this treaty France officially ceded most of its territorial possessions, all of the Maritimes and Quebec mainly, in North America to Britain and thus resulted in a shift in power within Northern North America, as well as the French officially losing any claim they had to Canada. This also led to many further problems within the soon to be United States later on this century. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
The Royal Proclamation was issued after the British acquired much French territory in North America.
The Royal Proclamation was also was first official document to outline the process in which the assumption of Indigenous land would be handled (Indigenous land could not be bought without Crown giving permission first, and set out "reserves," for Indigenous peoples)
The Proclamation angered the 13 colonies who felt they had been denied land and resources that should have been rightfully theirs. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Northwest Company Established
The NWC officially became a company in 1783 after many years of being purely funded by merchants. It was the HBC's main competition for many years, and the voyageurs of the NWC were much more hands on than the traders within the HBC and allowed them to be very successful. Metis and First Nations individuals allied themselves with the NWC which led to many disputes later on between the Metis, the HBC, and the Crown. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Constitutional Act
Divides Canada into Upper and Lower Canada.
Split Quebec in two to accommodate the 10,000 English speakers coming from the United States. Upper Canada received English law and institutions, while Lower Canada retained French civil law and institutions. It also gave Quebec a representative government it had not previously had.
Led to development of French-Canadian nationalism as it provided a place for the French to call their own Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
The War of 1812 occurred as a result of the blockades put in place during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.
During the war the Americans attempted to invade Canada, though the Canadians fought against their invasions and would not ally themselves with the Americans against the British or welcome them as liberators.
The war was the final time the English declared war against the United States and also due to the British troops, led to Canada believing it did not need its own militia until WWI. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Rebellions Against British Rule in Upper and Lower Canada (1837-1838)
The Rebellions, though technically two separate rebellions led by two separate parties and involving many individuals, were both motivated by frustrations with political reform, and called for responsible government, leading to the British North America Act (1840) unifying and the provinces into one system and thus led eventually to Confederation in 1867. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
Confederation
On July 1, 1867 the British North America Act or Constitution Act ( The Act was renamed in 1982 after the creation of Canada's constitution) of 1867 was signed and officially created the Dominion of Canada and its government (federal structure, House of Commons, the Senate, taxation system and the justice system). The result of Confederation was the country of Canada coming into existence, and Canada Day is thus celebrated on July 1. Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation." -
References
Belshaw, John Douglas. "Canadian History: Preconfederation,' BC Open Textbook Project.
https://opentextbc.ca/preconfederation/ Kheraj, Sean, and Tom Peace. Open History Seminar: Canadian History
http;//openhistoryseminar.com/canadianhistory For Photo References see attached photo reference word document -
Lecture References
Watson, Andrew. "European Contact and Ecological Imperialism." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, September 25, 2018. Watson, Andrew. "The New World in New France." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, October 2, 2018. Watson, Andrew. "The Fur Trade." HIST 255. Lecture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, October 23, 2018.
