-
509 BCE
Roman Empire:
Definition/Description: The Roman Empire was the post-republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean sea in Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia ruled by emperors How it influenced the Canadian government: Roman law influenced the Civil law system that Canada has in Quebec. Canadian law is primarily run on a common law system. Roman law influences were the Justinian code and the 12 tables. -
507 BCE
Democracy in Ancient Greece
Democracy in Ancient Greece was very direct. It means that all the citizens voted on all the laws. Rather than vote for representatives, each citizen was expected to vote for every law. The Ancient Greek law introduced democracy and used it to make decisions, which is the reason why we have it in our legal system today. The tort laws, family laws, and public laws that were first used in the Ancient Greek system became more developed and applied more to the Canadian legal system. -
1142
Iroquois Confederacy:
Iroquois confederation of five (later six) Indian tribes across upper New York state that during the 17th and 18th centuries played a strategic role in the struggle between the French and British for mastery of North America. Members of individual nations within the confederacy may live off-reserve or in reserve communities in Canada and the United States. Six Nations of the Grand River is a reserve outside of Brantford, Ontario, where all six members of the Haudenosaunee are represented. -
1215
British Parliament:
Definition/Description: British Parliament - the House of Lords and the House of Commons - is the legislative body of the United Kingdom and meets in the Palace of Westminster. How it influenced the Canadian government: Canada was formed as a dominion of the British Empire. The history of relations between Canada and Britain, well into the 20th century, is really the story of Canada's slow evolution towards full sovereignty. -
1216
The Magna Carta:
Definition/ Description: The Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) is a document guaranteeing English political liberties that were drafted at Runnymede, a meadow by the River Thames, and signed by King John on June 15, 1215. How it influenced the Canadian government: The Magna Carta (or Great Charter) informs the legal system in English Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. -
Thomas Hobbes:
Definition/Description: Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, considered to be one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Hobbes is best known for his 1651 book Leviathan, in which he expounds on an influential formulation of social contract theory. How he influenced the Canadian government: Thomas Hobbes left an everlasting influence on political thought. His idea of people being selfish and brutal and his thoughts on the role of government led to more investigations. -
Divine Right of Kings:
Definition/Description: It is a political doctrine in defence of monarchical absolutism, which asserted that kings derived their authority from God and could not, therefore, be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament. How it influenced the Canadian government: It influenced the Canadian government due to it’s monarchy. Canada's Monarchy is important because it guarantees responsible government in our country. -
John Locke:
John Locke was an English philosopher. Locke developed the concept of individual rights and the social contract, the idea government was based on rights and responsibilities. It was from their knowledge of Locke that the Canadian founders and their immediate precursors clarified the parliamentary principle in their formulation. Insistence on a form of government that was a hybridization of the monarchic, the aristocratic, and the democratic principles. -
The French Revolution:
Definition/Description: The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates-General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. How it influenced the Canadian government: The solidification of British rule over Canada and the creation of Upper and Lower Canada are generally considered to be the most significant impacts of the French Revolution in Canada. -
The Great Depression:
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s. The timing of the Great Depression varied around the world, in most countries, it started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. Widespread losses of jobs and savings transformed the country. The Depression triggered the birth of social welfare and the rise of populist political movements. It also led the government to take a more activist role in the economy.
