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