The American Revolution or Canadian Evolution

The American revolution created two new countries. –The new country of the United States –The future nation of Canada.

Treaty of Paris The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1763, formally ended the Seven Years War between France and Britain. The lands of New France were transferred to Britain. Britain would not influence the French peoples way of life They kept their religion and language.

American Revolution Peace for the British empire would be short lived 13 of its North American Colonies would revolt because they were tired of Britain not looking out for the best interests of the colonies. –Louisbourg given back to the French in 1749 –Royal Proclamation of 1763 giving Aboriginal Peoples land rights –Quebec Act of 1774 which gave French Catholics representation in their government

More Causes The Americans also wanted representation in the British government The British government refused and continued impose high taxes on the American colonies because of the cost of the Seven Years War

What about Canada? The Americans believed that they would find allies in Quebec, Nova Scotia and some of the First Nations tribes. The French remained Neutral –They did not see anything to gain from revolting (The Americans were notoriously anti-french) –They enjoyed their life under British rule since it was not harsh (They had religious freedoms not seen elsewhere in the British Empire)

In 1774, George Washington also denounced French culture and the Roman Catholic religion. The French did not see the point of risking what they had for the unknown.

First Nations The Aboriginals did not side with either exclusively The usually sided with whichever side guaranteed their sovereignty Joseph Brant was a Mohawk chief that allied with the British

The Aftermath of the Revolution On July 4 th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence officially created the United States of America After years of fighting, with the help of the French, finally defeated Britain in 1781 This forced the British to give up control over the American colonies

United Empire Loyalist The United Empire Loyalists resisted the rebels and fought along side of the British. The Loyalists were persecuted for their stand, and their property and possessions were stolen from them. Thousands of Loyalists left the U.S to resettle in territories still controlled by Britain.

The Loyalists 50,000 loyalists from all backgrounds came to British North America arrived in the colony of Nova Scotia. The most prosperous Loyalist settlement was located along the banks of the St. John river and the Fundy Shore. This saw the formation of places names Fredericton, St. Andrew, and Saint John.

Black Loyalists During the Revolution Britain offered Black slaves freedom if they sided with them. Both Britain and America at the time still supported slavery –Slavery was abolished in the British Empire (including Canada) in 1833 –The United States abolished slavery in 1865 after the American Civil War

Black Loyalists After the war Black slaves were forced with the choice of returning to the life of slavery or run to the British controlled Canada and have freedom, as well as the promise of free land. If they returned to their Masters they would surely be treated worse than before the war.

Black Loyalists Over 3000 Black Loyalists would travel to Nova Scotia and settle in towns such as Preston and Shelburne. However, when they arrived they would quickly find out that the land they were promised was small and not suited to farming.

Black Loyalists They soon found out that freedom did not necessarily mean equality Often the land they were given was so bad they had to become indentured servants or tenant farmers. This meant they had to work another persons land for a wage. Sometimes they lived on the farm and were basically slaves once again. After a few years, 1200 left for Sierra Leone.

Loyalist Influence on Canada Loyalists also went to Quebec, where they were given free land grants. While they only totaled 10 percent of the population, they created huge changes. They created a huge British influence on a French society.

Constitutional Act of 1791 The British brought with them their English culture. They also brought the protestant religion and set up the Anglican Church. They major change occurred with the Constitutional Act of 1791 which split Quebec into upper Canada(Ontario) and Lower Canada(Quebec).