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Seven Years War
The Seven Years War was a global conflict from 1756 to 1763 involving mainly Britain and France, and spanning several continents, including Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. The war emerged from long standing colonial rivalries and power struggles, especially regarding territorial claims in North America and India. Ultimately, the war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which reshaped colonial boundaries and significantly impacted the balance of power among European nations. -
Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation is a historical document published by King George III of Britain in 1763 that outlines principles for governing territories newly acquired after the Seven Years' War. It created standards for Indigenous land rights, established settlement territories, and regulated connections with Indigenous nations. This proclamation sought to maintain British North American stability and authority while acknowledging Indigenous sovereignty over their territories. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was passed in 1774 and overruled the Royal Proclamation which had aimed to assimilate the French-Canadian population under English rule. It resulted in the expansion of Quebec and the ability for French-Canadians to freely practice their language and culture. However, it sparked discontent among American colonists for restricting their westward expansion and contributing to tensions leading up to the American Revolutionary War. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a confrontation between the United States and Britain that was sparked by maritime issues, trade restrictions, and the ambition of the Americans to extend their territory. Battles along the Canadian border, naval conflicts, and the burning of Washington, D.C. were all part of it. It concluded in 1815 with no substantial geographical changes, but it strengthened American nationalism and secured Canada's independence from American invasion. -
Gold Rush
The 1850s Canadian Gold Rush, primarily in British Columbia's Fraser River area, drew prospectors seeking riches.The discovery of gold triggered a rush of miners, resulting in population increases and the establishment of towns. The rush expedited colonization, fueled infrastructure development, and changed the region's economy and settlement patterns. Many indigenous peoples suffered evacuation, loss of hunting ground, and loss of territory as prospectors and settlers overran their areas,. -
Confederation
The Confederation of Canada in 1867 united British North American colonies into a self-governing federation, forming the Dominion of Canada.It built a federal system that balanced province authority with a central administration, motivated by economic cooperation and security. This historic moment created the groundwork for modern Canada, promoting unity, growth, and the development of a unique national identity. -
Treaty of Washington
The Treaty of Washington, presented by Sir John A. Macdonald in 1871, addressed Civil War conflicts between the United States and Britain, resolving damages, fishing rights, and boundary concerns. It resulted in mediation for damages caused by British-built Confederate ships and the establishment of a tribunal for resolving boundary disputes and fishing rights, bringing a shift toward peaceful resolution of international conflicts. -
Numbered Treaties
The Numbered Treaties were a series of 11 agreements made between 1871 and 1921 between Indigenous tribes and the Canadian government. In exchange for reserves, education, healthcare, and pensions, they gave up Indigenous lands. These treaties drove Canada's westward growth, but their interpretations and execution frequently resulted in disagreements, the loss of cultural practices, and economic hardships for Indigenous people. -
Indian Act
The Indian Act, established in 1876, was aimed at gaining control over the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It dictated governance, land usage, and cultural practices with the goal of assimilation. It destroyed Indigenous freedom, restricted rights, and resulted in systemic discrimination, having a severe impact on generations of Indigenous communities. -
Building the CPR
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was a massive project that spanned over 21,000 km throughout Canada. It faced significant problems such as rugged terrain, financial issues, and hard labour by primary low-payed Chinese men. When it was finished in 1885, it connected the east and west coasts, changing transportation, trade, and unifying the country. The CPR was critical to Canada's development, promoting economic growth and national cohesion. -
Forced sterilization & medical experimentation in residential schools
Forced sterilization and medical experiments in residential schools were horrific practices that lasted from 1942-76, affecting indigenous children in Canada. They were forced to become sterilized against their will and were treated unethically in experiments and medical procedures. These acts caused severe physical and psychological harm and violated basic human rights. The impact of these atrocities continues to last through generations, highlighting a dark chapter in Canada's history. -
The White Paper
The 1969 White Paper was proposed by PM Pierre Trudeau and it aimed to abolish the Indian Act, assimilate Indigenous peoples, and eliminate special legal status. It intended to dissolve treaties and erase distinct rights and cultures, promoting assimilation into mainstream society. However, it was met with fierce resistance from Indigenous peoples, who saw it as a violation of their rights, cultural identity, and independence, which ultimately lead to the rejection of the proposal. -
The Red Paper
The Red Paper was a response by Indigenous leaders to the 1969 White Paper, advocating for indigenous independence, rights, and self-determination. It defended land claims, treaty rights, and the preservation of Indigenous traditions while rejecting the assimilation that the White Paper pushed for. The Red Paper emphasized the importance of Indigenous self-governance and control over their lands, serving as a foundational document in the struggle for Indigenous rights and autonomy in Canada. -
James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement
The James Bay Agreement and the Northern Quebec Agreement were historical treaties established between the Cree and Inuit peoples, Hydro-Québec, and the Quebec government. Addressing environmental and cultural concerns, they granted land, compensation, and self-governance rights to Indigenous communities impacted by hydropower construction in Northern Quebec and James Bay. These agreements set standards for Indigenous land rights and resource development in Canada. -
Gustafsen Lake Standoff
The Gustafsen Lake Standoff in 1995 was a conflict in British Columbia near 100 mile house between Indigenous protesters and the Canadian government over land rights. The dispute originated from a rancher's attempt to remove a Sundance arbour, which resulted in a 31-day standoff. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police intervened, resulting in arrests and raising issues about Indigenous land rights, independence, and the use of force to resolve such disagreements.