First ContactFirst Contact

Doctrine of DiscoveryDoctrine of Discovery

Terra NulliusTerra Nullius

North West PassageNorth West Passage

First Nations meet EuropeansFirst Nations meet Europeans

Doctrine of DiscoveryDoctrine of Discovery

-15-15thth century belief that: century belief that:

-any land that was uninhabited by Christians -any land that was uninhabited by Christians was able to bewas able to be

discovereddiscovered

claimedclaimed

exploitedexploited

-Non-Christians cannot have title to land (own land)-Non-Christians cannot have title to land (own land)

-Indigenous inhabitants would be converted, refusal -Indigenous inhabitants would be converted, refusal warranted enslavement or deathwarranted enslavement or death

Terra NulliusTerra Nullius

What is itWhat is it??-policy for -policy for claimingclaiming land landWhat does it meanWhat does it mean??-“land belonging to no one” or “empty land”-“land belonging to no one” or “empty land”-take what looks empty-take what looks emptyBC 1BC 1stst Nations Context Nations Context::-sailors see “empty land” and claim -sailors see “empty land” and claim sovereigntysovereignty (Sovereignty: supreme power or authority over a land)(Sovereignty: supreme power or authority over a land)

King George III of England – instructions for sailors: [Terra Nullius]King George III of England – instructions for sailors: [Terra Nullius]““if you find the countries so discovered are uninhabited you are to take possession if you find the countries so discovered are uninhabited you are to take possession of them for His Majesty by setting up proper marks and inscriptions as first of them for His Majesty by setting up proper marks and inscriptions as first discoverers and possessorsdiscoverers and possessors””

Why North America?Why North America?

-completely unintentional-completely unintentional

-Christopher Columbus was searching for India / -Christopher Columbus was searching for India / Asia + the North West PassageAsia + the North West Passage

-Landed his ship in the Bahamas -Landed his ship in the Bahamas

-called the people “Indians” because:-called the people “Indians” because:

thought it was Indiathought it was India

North West PassageNorth West Passage

What was itWhat was it::

-myth of a secret trade route to India / Asia-myth of a secret trade route to India / Asia

Incentive to find itIncentive to find it::

-drastically decreased travel time -drastically decreased travel time

-$20,000 for finding it (millions today)-$20,000 for finding it (millions today)

Why?Why?::

-lucrative trade items / resources -lucrative trade items / resources

(spices, teas, etc)(spices, teas, etc)