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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Rediscovers America
Columbus comes into contact with the First Nations people when he lands in the Caribbeans. This would be the first time in at least a century that Europeans come into contact with the First Nations people.
His rediscovery of America leads to more Europeans travelling to America and further interactions between Europeans and the First Nations people. Image: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/5/11/1273589003362/Illustration-of-Christoph-006.jpg -
Jun 24, 1497
John Cabot Lands in Newfoundland
John Cabot lands on the coast of Newfoundland, where he finds an abundance of fish. This leads to more and more Europeans coming to America to fish. The increase in Europeans on the coast of America eventually leads to exploration of America's interior, which contributes to later interactions between the Europeans and the Natives. Image: http://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/123/123images/cabot.jpg -
Jan 1, 1500
Portuguese Merchant Kidnaps 50 Natives From Newfoundland
*Actual date and year unknown. A Portuguese merchant finds people on Newfoundland (which was now a busy fishing spot), and kidnaps 50 of them to bring back to Europe. The people who examined the Natives in Europe called them "the best slaves discovered to this time". However, all 50 of the Natives died in Europe, and the Europeans turn their attention back to fisheries. Image: https://www.photospin.com/content/photos/full/506_3080052.jpg -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
European Diseases Devastate Native Americans
*Actual time span and/or dates unknown; years are estimates. Diseases that the Europeans had brought along with them to North America plague the First Nations people. Such diseases included smallpox, measles and influenza. These European diseases killed approximately 80% of the Native American population.
The spread of the diseases were initially accidental, but later on, some Europeans spread the diseases intentionally to decrease the Native populations. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier Sets Out on His First Voyage to North America
Under a commission from the king of France, Cartier sets out to sail to North America. He continues to travels up the St. Lawrence River and meets a group of the First Nations Iroquois and befriended their leader, Donnaconna. This leads to other events that happen between Cartier and Donnaconna. Image: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/o5-eng.cfm -
Jul 24, 1534
Cartier Plants a Cross on Donnaconna's Land
Without the consent of Donnaconna, Cartier raises a cross on the Iroquois land. Donnaconna is not pleased with this and tells Cartier though gestures that the land is under the authority of the Iroquois.
Despite this disagreement, Donnaconna later agrees to let Cartier bring his sons (Domagaya and Taignoagny) with him back to France. Image: http://www.cwjefferys.ca/uploads/files/Images/cwj_images/jacques_cartier_erects_a_cross_at_gaspe/jacques_cartier_erects_a_cross_at_gaspe_960.jpg -
May 1, 1536
Cartier Kidnaps Donnaconna and His Sons
*Exact date unknown. Cartier kidnaps Donnaconna and his sons and bring them back to France with him. Donnaconna and his sons later die in France. Image: https://www.photospin.com/content/photos/full/506_3080052.jpg -
Samuel de Champlain Founds Quebec City
Champlain founds the first permanent settlement in Canada, Quebec City. With the founding of Quebec, Champlain later establishes an alliance with nearby Native American tribes. (This will be elaborated on in a later event.) Image: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/media/habitation-at-quebec-3592.jpg -
Champlain Allies With Native Tribes in Battle Against Another Native Tribe
Samuel de Champlain sides with the Algonquin and Huron tribes in a battle against the Iroquois tribe. Champlain forms an alliance with the Algonquin and Huron after winning the battle, but at the same time, he made himself mortal enemies with the Iroquois. Image: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0w0ko7QS21qzmkc4o1_500.jpg -
First Trade Happens at Hudson Bay
*Actual date unknown. Henry Hudson's ship is frozen in the waters at the bottom of Hudson Bay. A First Nations man goes to the ship to trade things for his deer and beaver skins, making this the first trade to happen at Hudson Bay between Europeans and First Nations people. Image: screenshot from "Canada: A People's History: The Northwest Passage" video -
Period: to
Jesuits Attempt to Convert Hurons to Christianity
*Actual dates unknown; years are estimates. Jesuits go to mingle with the First Nations Huron in hopes of converting them to Christianity. The Jesuits took the time to learn the Huron's language, culture and way of life. They were quite successful, and managed to convert enough Hurons to weaken the social bond of the tribe. However, the Jesuits' success didn't last long, since the Hurons were later killed off by diseases and the Iroquois. -
Period: to
Hurons Plagued With Diseases Jesuits Brought
*Actual dates unknown. The Jesuits unknowingly brought over foreign diseases such as smallpox, measles and influenza when they went to the Hurons. Many of the Hurons died when they encountered these sicknesses, because they had no immunity to them. These diseases greatly lowered the population of the Hurons and made them more susceptible to losing battles against the Iroquois. A good portion of the Hurons were killed off due to the spread of the sicknesses. -
The Hudson's Bay Company is Founded
The HBC traded with the First Nations people. The First Nations people would trade animal furs for European goods such as guns and blanket. The founding of the HBC also drove the French to venture further inland to trade with the First Nations people. Image: http://umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/archives/tribune/photos/HudsonBayCo1.jpg -
Period: to
French Fur Traders Have Country Marriages With Native Women
*Exact time span and/or dates unknown; years are estimates. French fur traders in North America marry and/or find companionship ("country marriages") with Native women. The children from such relationships are referred to as the Metis. The companionships between the French traders and the Native women also strengthened the trading relationship between the French and the Natives. -
Joseph Brant Makes Deal With Britain
*Exact date unknown, but he was on his way to Britain in the winter of 1775. Joseph Brant (the chief of the First Nations Mohawk tribe) goes to Britain as an emissary for the Six Nations Confederacy to make a deal to Great Britain. He will get the members of the confederacy and his tribe to side with the British in the war against the Americans if Britain safeguards Indian land in America. Image: http://www.uppercanadahistory.ca/fn/fn5p3.jpg -
Northwest Company Founded
*Actual date unknown. The Northwest Company traded with the Native Americans. Within 15 years of it's founding, they controlled about 80% of all the fur trade with the Natives. Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/North_West_Company_-_Coat_Of_Arms.jpg/225px-North_West_Company_-_Coat_Of_Arms.jpg -
Alexander Mackenzie Stops His Journey to Pacific Ocean
Mackenzie's Native guide informs him that if he continues his journey to the Pacific Ocean, the coastal Natives will kill him because they don't want him on their land. In fear of the Natives taking his life, Mackenzie is forced to turn back, leaving only a temporary memorial written on the stone sides of the water. Had it not been for the coastal Natives, Mackenzie would have made it to the Pacific Ocean. Image: http://data2.archives.ca/ap/c/c003131.jpg -
The Battle of Thames Occurred
Some First Nations tribes, led by their chief Tecumseh fought with the Britains against the Americans. The First Nations were defeated along with the British, and the battle resulted in the death of Chief Tecumseh. Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Battle_of_the_Thames.PNG/800px-Battle_of_the_Thames.PNG
