Chapter 5: War and British Conquest
1713 The Treaty of Utecht
European countries go to war in Europe - the War of Spanish Succession. Austria and Great Britain face off against France over having a say to who will replace the recently deceased Spanish king. Austria/Britain eventually win and the French sign the Treaty of Utrecht. Treaties are kind of like contracts or agreements between nations (this will come back up in Chapter 10). In this particular agreement, for losing the war France has to cede (give up) Acadia - a part of New France (modern day New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) - to the British.
1754 The French and Indian War
A fight between the British and French was inevitable. The war begins in the Ohio River Valley between French and British colonists. The British in the 13 Colonies had been wanted to expand west for years. Led by a young George Washington the British attack French forts which sparks the conflict.
1755 The Great Deportation
With war on the horizon, the British give their Acadian (french) settlers an ultimatum: join us to fight the French colonists or get out. The Acadians refuse to fight and are forced to leave their lands. Many Acadians are relocated to the French colony of New Orleans and eventually become a new culture: Cajuns.
1756 The Seven Years War
The conflict from the colonies spills over into Europe, cause the French and Indian War to turn global. Think of it as the Seven Years War being the war that involves multiple continents and countries and the French and Indian War being the prequel that started it all.
1759 The Battle of the Plains of Abraham
One of the most significant battles in Canadian history, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was the British attempt to capture the settlement of Quebec and cut off French supplies from the St. Lawrence River to the rest of the colony. Under British General Wolfe, the British troops scale the cliffs outside Quebec in the dead of night to surprise the French in the morning. During the battle both General Wolfe and French General Montcalm are injured and die.
Check out the awesome video! Be warned, some fake red substance is present. Also, some actors pretend to fall down. |
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1763 The Treaty of Paris
1763 Pontiac's Rebellion
The British economy (how they make money) in the 13 Colonies is based on agriculture (farms). Farms need lots of land to operate. Now that the French have surrendered, the British prepare to expand their colonies westward. Do you know who isn't huge on that idea? First Nations. An Odawa warrior named Pontaic rallied various tribes to fight off the British - and he was very effective.
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1763 The Royal Proclamation
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As a response to Pontiac, the King of England creates the Royal Proclamation. It does two things:
This move satisfies Pontiac, but enrages the 13 Colonies... |
1774 The Quebec Act
Since the Royal Proclamation the 13 Colonies have been irate. Not only have they been unable to expand west, but the British Crown has been taxing them to pay for the war. Realizing that the 13 Colonies are furious and may rebel, the British Crown creates the Quebec Act to give the French Canadiens some of their rights back so that they will not join in a rebellion.
Chapter 6: The United States Breaks Away
The American Revolution
Things hit a fever pitch in the late 1770s. The 13 Colonies have had enough of the limitations from Britain and decide to declare their independence. The Result? Britain invades with the full might of their military. The Revolutionary War begins.
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Refugees: Flight of the Loyalists
Americans were sure happy to win the war and create a new republic. But what if you sided with England? Thousands of United Empire Loyalists were not caught in a country they did not support. Many fled for their lives to the closest British colony to them: British North America (Canada). These groups encluded:
The massive influx of refugees to BNA (British North America) put a huge strain on the colony. The population boom and blend of new cultures forced the British government to divide the colony into different parts though the Constitutional Act of 1791:
- United Empire Loyalsits - those colonists who chose to stay loyal to Britain
- Ex-Slaves - Britain gave an offer to slaves of the colonies: join the red coats and you will be free when they win. Well many slaves took that offer, but when Britain lost they found themselves in hostile territory.
- Haudenosaunee - the Confederacy did not contribute to the war, but once the American's had won they disregarded the Royal Proclamation and began to spread into First Nation territory. The Haudenosaunne relocated to the north, into French Canadien and former First Nation enemies of the Confederacy territory in order to get away from the Americans.
- German Mennonites - German Mennonites that had settled in the 13 Colonies were pacifists (did not fight). Many Americans did not take too kindly to people who didn't help and so they too fled north.
The massive influx of refugees to BNA (British North America) put a huge strain on the colony. The population boom and blend of new cultures forced the British government to divide the colony into different parts though the Constitutional Act of 1791:
- Upper Canada would be predominately British settlers
- Lower Canada would have French benefits for the Canadiens
- New Brunswick would be created for relocated Loyalists to create their own community.
- Land would be set aside for both Protestant and Catholic churches.
The War of 1812
When Britain cut off trade routes between the USA and France in order to negatively impact Napoleon in Europe, the Americans retaliated by attacking the closest British colony to them: us.
Check out this video about Tecumseh to learn about the War of 1812.
Check out this video about Tecumseh to learn about the War of 1812.
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Chapter 7: The Great Migration and the Push for Democracy
The Blight and the Great Migration
In Ireland a massive crop failure causes starvation and deep poverty. It is one of the worst famines in the continents history. Many Irish people flee to the New World to start anew, knowing full well that they may never see home again.
This massive wave of Irish immigrants changes both USA and BNA, as many Irish are not received well. This new influx of Anglo speaking Catholics calls many policies into question and pushes the territories to adapt. Can you see any influences from the Great Migration today? (think sports teams or places with a lot of Irish families). |
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Reform and Rebellion
Chapter 8: Confederation
Now with Upper and Lower Canada united, the French Canadiens and British colonists are forced to actually work with each other. As the political games are played and politicians squabble and waste time an old threat re-emerges: the USA. Can people put politics aside and unify in the face of destruction? Grab some popcorn and check out this biopic featuring the conflicts between John A. Macdonald, George-Etienne Cartier and George Brown.
... It is actually pretty good.
... It is actually pretty good.