SS6H4 The student will describe the
impact of European contact on
Canada
SS6H5 The student will analyze
important 2oth century issues in
Canada
HISTORY OF
CANADA
ELEMENTS
 Describe the influence of the
French and the English on the
language and religion of Canada
 Explain how Canada became an
independent nation
 Describe Quebec’s independence
movement.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
 Why does Quebec want independence?
 What conflicts have occurred because of
Quebec’s independence movement?
 Why hasn’t Quebec been granted
independence?
 What changes in Canada could occur if
Quebec is granted independence?
 How have the French and English
influenced the languages and religions of
Canada?
THE COLONIZATION OF CANADA
 Canada was first explored
by John Cabot of England,
and after his exploration,
others followed to the
land, notably Jacques
Cartier of France
 Samuel de Champlain of
France explored Canada
and established the
settlement of Quebec
 Became an important
center for fur trading
 The French called the land
New France, and would
trade constantly with the
Native Americans
 The French established a
government and laws in the
colony
 The English settled in the
western part of Canada
near the Rocky Mountains
and near southern Canada
THE WAR FOR CANADA
 The English and French would fight a war over
Canada called the French and Indian War
 The war ended in 1763, and the English
controlled all lands east of the Mississippi River,
and allowed the French to stay in New France
(present day Quebec)
 Most English stayed in the north part of Canada,
while the French occupied the southern part
INFLUENCE OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE
 Because of both
England and
France, Canada has
many cultural
influences
 Two-thirds of
Canadians speak
English, while those
who live in Quebec
speak French
 Canadians worship
Christianity, but
those who speak
French are Catholic,
while those who
speak English are
Protestant
THE INDEPENDENCE OF CANADA
 Just like in America, those living in British colonies grew
tired of British rule, and began to rebel in 1837
 The British united the colonies in 1841 and established the
Province of Canada, having each colony govern themselves
 In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was created
 This allowed Canada to be independent, but still under the British
control
 The first four provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and
Brunswick
 Over the years, more provinces would join, and the British
would slowly reduce their control
 In 1931, Canada became a free and independent country
QUEBEC’S INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
Around 1960, citizens of Quebec felt they were being ignored and wanted their own rights. They wanted sovereignty, or
to be free from government control. They felt French culture was not being preserved. In 1980 the idea to secede, or
withdraw, from Canada began to form. The government of Canada passed a law in 1988 preserving French culture.
Votes were taken in 1980 and 1995 on whether Quebec should secede, with both votes going no. In 1998, the Canadian
government ruled in court That Quebec could not secede without the country’s permission. This issue still is being
debated today.