Origins Of Canadian Government

Roman Empire

753 BCE

The Roman Empire, a major civilization, left a lasting impact. They had strong laws, built big structures like the Colosseum, and played a role in spreading Christianity. While it eventually declined and the Western part fell in 476 AD, their ideas continue to shape our world, influencing areas like law, architecture, and religion. Roman law has had a significant influence on both the Canadian common law and civil law systems.

Democracy in Ancient Greece

508 BCE

In ancient Greece, they had something called democracy. This meant that the grown-up men who lived in places like Athens could meet up in a big gathering called the Assembly. They talked about important stuff and voted on decisions directly, without choosing representatives like we do today. They didn't let women, slaves, or people from other areas join in, which isn't fair today. Still, it was good because it let other people have a say in their city. This is what introduced democracy to canada

Magna Carta

1215

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was an important document in England that limited the king's power, established the idea that no one is above the law, and influenced modern notions of justice and individual rights. The Magna Carta's principles of law, due process, and individual rights have left a lasting imprint on Canada's legal and political system, guiding the country's democratic and legal foundations.

Iroquois Confederacy

1450

The Iroquois Confederacy, a group of six Native American nations, had a big impact on how the U.S. government works. People like Benjamin Franklin were impressed by how they did things, like having a central council and a way to keep the government from getting too powerful. They borrowed these ideas when they made the U.S. government. So, the Iroquois Confederacy had a say in how the U.S. government was put together.

Thomas Hobbes

1588

Thomas Hobbes was an English Philosopher. He argued that in a "state of nature," people are driven by self-interest and conflict, making life chaotic. To escape this, he proposed a social contract, where individuals give up some freedoms to a strong central government (the Leviathan) to maintain order and peace. His ideas had a lasting impact on political philosophy.

John Locke

1632

John Locke was an important English philosopher who believed that everyone has natural rights to life, freedom, and property. He thought governments should protect these rights and that people could rebel against a government that didn't. His ideas helped shape modern democracy and are still talked about today in debates on personal freedoms and government.

Divine Right Of Kings

1688

The divine right of kings is a belief from a long time ago that said kings and queens were chosen by God and couldn't be questioned. People thought that going against them was a sin. This idea made monarchs really powerful, but it's not a thing in modern politics where we have more accountable forms of government.

French Revolution

1789

The French Revolution left a lasting impact on Quebec's cultural and political identity within Canada. The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity resonated with Quebec, given its historical ties to France. This influence is evident in Quebec's distinct French-speaking culture, its pursuit of language and cultural rights, and its unique position within Canada's bilingual and multicultural landscape.

British Parliament

1801

The British Parliament is like the UK's big decision-making group, with two parts: the elected House of Commons and the appointed House of Lords. MPs in the Commons make laws, and the party with the most MPs forms the government. The Parliament also keeps an eye on the government and talks about important stuff. Even though the king or queen has to approve laws, it's usually just a tradition. It's been around a long time and is a big deal in the UK.

Great Depression

1929

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic crisis in the 1930s marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship. The Great Depression left a significant impact on Canada, shaping its social safety net, financial regulations, and national resilience in the face of economic challenges, all of which continue to influence the country's policies and responses to crises today.