Canadian HistoryThe French and the British

The French and the British

•1713 France and Britain sign peace treaty▫GB gets Hudson Bay Newfoundland, and

part of Acadia▫French controlled lowlands south of

Hudson Bay

•Both countries wanted the Ohio River valley▫The French for the beavers (fur trading)▫The British for the land (settlement)

The French and the British

•The Treaty of Paris▫Gave GB complete control over Canada

•The Quebec Act▫Gave French people in Quebec the right to

speak their own language, practice their own religion and follow their own customs

The French and the British

•Loyalists▫American that did not want independence

from GB▫After the war many moved to Canada

•2 colonies▫Quebec = French = Lower Canada▫Ontario = Loyalists/GB = Upper Canada

Canadian HistoryCanada Seeks Independence

British Rule• Both French and British Canadians, hated British

rule▫Felt Britain was too far away

• Louis Papineau▫French Canadian▫Organized a revolt, wanted to make Lower Canada

a separate country• William McKenzie

▫Organized a revolt in Upper Canada• British won both times, revolts were unsuccessful

A Peaceful Revolution

•July 1, 1867▫Britain accepts British North America Act▫Made Canada a dominion

Dominion = self governing area Could elect own leaders in Canada Control their own government Britain still had some control (little, but

some)

Yukon Territory

•1890s▫Gold & other minerals discovered▫Brought miners to the far NW▫Canada becoming rich and important

Canadian HistoryCanada Postwar to Present

The Growth of Industry

•Industrialization strengthens Canada’s economy

•1969▫Law passed making Canada a bilingual

country▫Official languages = French & English

•1976▫Some French Canadians do not want to be

part of Canada Argued independence for Quebec

A New Constitution

•The British North American Act of 1867▫Required GB to approve amendments to

the Canadian Constitution•Canadians adopt new Constitution in

1982▫No longer need GB to approve▫Canada becomes completely independent

Parliamentary System

•Canada’s government is modeled on the British system

•Constitutional Monarchy▫Constitution & British monarch

•Parliamentary Democracy▫Two chambers: House of Commons and

Senate

Commonwealth of Nations

•Voluntary organization•Members are former British colonies•Purpose = cooperation

▫Especially with trade and economics