History and Government of Canada
Early Peoples
• Territorial rivalry between Britain and France.
• Vast size and cold climate
• After last Ice Age, migrants began moving from Asia into North America.
Colonization
• French explorers claimed much of Canada.
• New France• British- Atlantic Coast• Coastal fisheries• Inland fur trade
Moving Toward Unity• Two distinct cultures: Roman Catholic French and
Protestant English.• 1791- British govt. splits Canada into two provinces.• Upper Canada (Ontario)– English speaking
• Lower Canada (Quebec)– French speaking
The Dominion of Canada• Quebec City, Montreal,
and Toronto developed as major cities.
• Railroads• Canals • Explorers• Upper v. Lower (still)• 1867 British North
American Act created the Dominion of Canada.
A Confederation
• The dominion was a loose confederation of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
• Self-government• Part of British Empire• Ottawa was the capital
Continental Expansion
• 1872- govt. began transcontinental railroad.
• Gold is discovered in the Yukon.
• Ore and minerals found= more towns being built.
Urban and Industrial Growth
• Early- rural areas with farming.• Later- resources = industrialization. • 100 miles of U.S. border- warmer climate, land
more productive, and travel easier.
Government
• Parliamentary Government
• Central federal government with smaller provincial governments.
• House of Commons and Senate
• Prime Minister is majority party’s leader