-
Jul 1, 1497
John Cabot's Voyage
In July 1497, John Cabot was on a voyage to find the Northwest Passage. He was unable to find it, but instead he landed in Newfoundland and found that there were many fish off the Grand Banks. The word of the great fishing made its way back to Europe, and this encouraged many more Europeans to travel overseas to what we now know as Canada. -
Samuel de Champlain Establishes Quebec City
Samuel de Champlain was the founder of Quebec City, and he was the first man to establish a permanent settlement in [what is now] Canada. Champlain believed people would have the chance at a good life in Canada. He crossed the Atlantic a total of 20 times trying to convince people of his vision for a colony. It took him 10 years before finally succeeding. As more and more people immigrated to Canada, this little settlement eventually grew and expanded. -
The Jesuits Arrive in New France
In 1625, Jesuits (also known as Black Robes) came to New France to try and convert First Nations people to Catholicism. They Jesuits went to Huronia (a region in what is now southern Ontario) to live among the Huron people and educate them and implement their ways. The Hurons resisted at first, but Champlain insisted that no Black Robes meant no trade. They finally agreed and more Jesuits came to build permanent missions in Huronia. Their work brought a new group to New France: the Mystics. -
Les Filles de Roi
Over a period of seven years, the King of France sent 1000 young woman to New France. The purpose of this was to help populate and multiply the country. To ensure that the "King's Daughter's" were having many children, certain measures were taken. All people with 10 living children and in a lawful marriage were promised a pension of 300£ a year, and 400£ for 12 children. For boys that marry at 20 years and younger, and girls at 16 years and younger, they are given 20£ on their wedding day. -
Voyage of the Nonsuch
The Nonsuch was one of two ships with the goal of taking a shortcut around the northern tip of Quebec right into Hudson Bay to help with trading, rather than down the St. Lawrence. Once the ship returned to London and told of their findings, many people wanted a piece of Canadian Land and began coming over. In 1670, the Hudson's Bay Company was founded, and was given exclusive trading rights over the land. -
The Hudson's Bay Company
The fur trade was one of the main reasons that Europeans decided to stay in Canada, and the trade of beavers drove New France's economy. In the 1600s, beaver hats were popular in Europe. When the beaver went into extinction many Europeans came to Canada to find more. They trapped other animals too but the beaver was the most wanted and was even a form of currency. The Hudson's Bay Company was founded in 1670 and played a huge role in the fur trade. It still exists today, but not for fur trading. -
Period: to
Seven Years War
The Seven Years War was fought mainly between the British and French for the purpose of control over North America. To many, this could be considered the first real world war, and is also seen as the war that created Canada. In the end, most of Canada was taken from France and was now ruled by Britain. As a result, the presence of the French was greatly reduced in Canada, which in turn brought in more British settlers. The Treaty of Paris (signed in 1763) is what brought and end to this war. -
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
This battle was an important event during the Seven Years War. The leader of the British army was General James Wolfe, and the leader of the French army was Marquis de Montcalm. Both died in battle. The fight only lasted 15 minutes, and in the end the British won, changing the course of history for New France (Canada).The British gained the rights of the land, bringing over many British settlers. -
Period: to
American Revolution
This was also known as the American Revolutionary War and the US War of Independence. During this revolution, America was divided between rebels who supported independence and British loyalists. The loyalists were considered "enemies of American liberty" and thousands of families were sent into exile. 100 000 people became refugees who escaped to Canada. -
Period: to
The Underground Railroad
Starting at the beginning of the 1800s, the Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped people escape slavery in the United States to freedom in Canada. The network consisted of secret routes and safe houses and there were many people along the way to help and hide the escaped slaves. Harriet Tubman was considered the leader of the railroad, and she helped thousands of slaves make their way to Canada to escape. -
Battle of Seven Oaks
This was a battle between Scottish settlers of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Red River area and the Metis of the Northwest Company. The Metis wanted the land back, and by the end of the battle one Metis and 20 settlers were dead. The Metis also barricaded Fort Douglas, where the remaining settlers were, until they came out for food. This battle became the beginning of the merging between the two companies, and eventually some Scots were able to settle in and immigrate to the area. -
Period: to
Irish Immigration
In the 1840's, the Irish were struck with a potato famine. Due to this, many Irish were unable to pay rent and were being forced out of their homes and evicted. 1 000 000 people died from disease and starvation, and many started coming over to Canada. Before being allowed on the mainland, they were brought to Grosse-Isle quarantine station in attempt to contain the European diseases. In 1847, 50 people per day were dying of typhus. -
Chinese Immigration Act
During the years of 1880 and 1885, many Chinese people were coming to Canada as cheap labourers to help build the British Columbia section of the railway. Once finished with the work, they started bringing their families over. However, the Chinese Immigration Act (passed in 1885) put a head tax of $50 per person on the Chinese to stop them from coming to Canada. It was increased to $100 and then $500 before being ended in 1923. -
Period: to
Ukraine Migration
During these years, the rule of the Ukraine was divided between Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and they were treated badly. They had few political rights, weren't able to get an education, and faced religion persecution, political persecution, and lack of jobs and farmland. Most people had a small amount of farmland that they lived off of, though they had to pay huge taxes. Many ended up immigrating to Canada for the large expanse of land, good grain price, and the railroad. -
Period: to
The Last Best West
During these years, Canada was trying to encourage European immigration to Canada. In order to do this, they advertised the "Last Best West," promising 160 acres of free land to each male member of a family. They new immigrants faced many hardships along with missing their home country, but were ultimately happy due to the yield of crops three times as big as their old country and being allowed to work for themselves.
