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1000
Vikings
The Vikings, commanded by Leif Erikson formed a settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows. This was the first attempt from foreigners to settle in the continent and, even though the Vikings won't last long in the new country, they were the first Non-first Nations who were able to risk enough to reach this new land. -
Aug 31, 1142
Irouquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the League of Peace and Power or Haudenosaunee) is created. This confederation will be important for both First Nations and later for the Europeans settlers. It will be an essential part of the relationship that will be created between Aboriginal people and settlers. -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot
The Italian navigator John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) claims Newfoundland in the name of King Henry VII of England after arriving near Labrador. This will be the beginning of the race for the conquest of the New World after Cabot other explorers will claim the new land for their home countries and a new chapter for Canada will start. -
Jul 24, 1534
Jacques Cartier
The French explorer Jacques Cartier discovers the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, he also claims Gaspé Peninsula for France. After Cabot, Cartier was one of the most important explorers and his arrival will introduce France to the New World and this country will be vital to the Canadian history. -
Samuel de Champlain and New Fracne
The explorer Samuel de Champlain establishes the first successful Colony in the continent, at Port Royal. New France is born, and this settlement will become the first place, where Europeans will start living permanently and people from Europe will travel to New France to start a new Life. This settlement is the primordial Quebec City. -
Hudson's Bay Company
King Charles II of England signs the charter incorporating the Hudson’s Bay company monopoly over the Rupert's Land. This monopoly of the Hudson Bay will lead to many fights between the British and the French for the control over the fur trade in Canada. -
Treaty of Utrecht
After many years of battles, following the Treaty of Utrecht, France recognizes British sovereignty over the territories of Hudson Bay, Acadia, and Newfoundland. France retains possession of St. Pierre and Miquelon, Ile Royale (Cape Breton) and Ile Saint-Jean (P.E.I.). This treaty tries to build peace between the two countries but a war for the control seems inevitable. -
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years’ War starts with Britain declaring war on France. At the beginning, it starts in North America but it immediately spreads to Europe. French weren't able to defend themselves against the British and after many unsuccessful attempts they gave up. The Seven Years war will end with the Treaty of Paris according to which France cedes New France to Great Britain. This event will demonstrate the superiority of the Britain over the France and a political life for Canada starts. -
The Constitutional Act of 1791
Through the Constitutional Act of 1791, Britain distributes Canada into Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario), with its capital at Newark (later Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.), and Lower Canada (Quebec), with Quebec City as its capital. This division between two different part will play a significant role in the formation of the modern Canada as this act will be unsuccessful for its purpose and it will start rebellions in the two Canadas. -
The Act Of Union
The Act of Union united Upper Canada and Lower Canada into one colony: the Province of Canada. Lower Canada became Canada East and Upper Canda became Canada West. The colony now would have one governor, one elected assembly, and one official language, English. The main purpose of the Britain was to assimilate the French in the English culture. This act is a big step in what will become the modern Canada. -
The British North America Act
The British North America Act, 1867, distributes the Province of Canada into Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Quebec (formerly Lower Canada) and connects them with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The Dominion of Canada, comes into existence, with John A. Macdonald as first prime minister.