1. Section 4 – History of Canada
Chapter 7
Section 4 – History of Canada

2. The French & the British
Both countries wanted the land of the new world for their own purposes
The French wanted areas around rivers and lakes for trapping and selling furs
The British wanted areas around lakes and rivers for settlement
It was only a matter of time before a conflict occurred

3. Great Britain Gains Control
The conflict was called the Seven Years War (We call it what?)
The British won and took over most of the region
The French who remained were allowed to speak their language and practice their religion under the Quebec Act
During our Revolutionary War the British created two colonies in Canada
Lower Canada, which is today Quebec, for the French culture and Upper Canada, which is today Ontario, for the British culture and Loyalists from America who did not support American independence

4. Canada Seeks Independence
After working together in the war of the people of Quebec and Ontario did not exactly see eye to eye
However, they both tried unsuccessfully to break free of British rule
In French Canada Louis Papineau organized a revolt, but failed
In Upper Canada William Mackenzie tried to lead a rebellion and it was quickly squashed too

5. A Peaceful Revolution
As a result of the two attempts at rebellion the British were concerned so they sent over the Earl of Durham
He suggested that Canadians be given more control
Britain instead united Quebec & Ontario only into the Province of Canada
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick were left on their own
Britain did this on purpose because they feared the power of uniting all of Canada

6. Still seeking Independence
Canadians believed all provinces should be included
In 1864 the leaders of each province came up with a plan
They presented this to Britain and in 1867 British Parliament accepted the British North American Act
This made Canada a dominion or self-governing area
Without war Canadians now had their own government
This change allowed Canada to grow and brought immigrants to farm and mine in the west and northwest

7. Time To Compare! Break into groups of 4
Use what you have learned about the American Revolution and Canada gaining their independence to analyze clear differences between these two stories of countries gaining freedom.

8. Canada a World Power
When World War I began Canadians were still British subjects so they entered the war too
Canada was happy to help on the Allied side
Their willingness and contributions were so great that their involvement made them a world power
During World War II Canadians built factories and helped the Allies again
This boom for their economy made them an attractive place for immigrants after WWII and led to economic success for Canada

9. Canada: Postwar
1969 Canada became bilingual speaking both English and French
1976 French Canadians considered breaking free and forming their own country
1982 Canada adopted a new constitution giving them complete control over their own decisions without having to ask Great Britain first

10. Parliamentary System
Canada’s government is modeled to be like Britain’s
They have a Constitutional Monarchy
Laws say what the King or Queen can or can not do, but the British Monarch lives in Britain so these responsibilities are fulfilled by the governor-general
The governor-general makes no major decisions, they just perform ceremonial duties

11. Parliamentary Democracy
Canada has a Parliament that makes most of the decisions for the country
There are two chambers or halves: the House of Commons & the Senate
The House of Commons are elected by the people
The Senate is chosen by the governor- general
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and chosen by the governor- general from the party in charge of the House of Commons

12. The Commonwealth of Nations
Canada chooses to be part of the Commonwealth of Nations
Any country in the world that is a former British colony can be part of this group
The purpose of this organization is to cooperate together in matters of trade and economics
Members of this group are also able to participate in the Commonwealth Games every four years, which are similar to the Olympics, and began in 1930