Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

Dominion

in 1867, the four British

colonies of nova Scotia, new Brunswick, and Upper and

Lower Canada formed the self-governing Dominion of

Canada. Six more colonies joined after 1867. newfoundland

joined in 1949, and nunavut was created in 1999.

94

ABoUt 25 thoUSAnD yeArS Ago, Canada’s first people

walked across the land that then existed between Siberia and Alaska. the first

europeans reached the Canadian coast about 1,000 years ago, but they did not

establish lasting settlements. the original native American inhabitants of the

country lost control when British and French settlers began to

establish trading posts for fur during the 17th century. Britain and

France fought each other for the land, and in 1759, Britain won

control of the whole country. A century later, Canada became

independent of British rule but remained a British dominion

(territory). After World War ii, Canada became very prosperous and

developed a close business relationship with the United States. During

the 1970s, French Canadians demanded more power and threatened to

make the province of Québec independent. however, Canada is still united.

hUDSon’S BAy CompAny

Both the British and French set up companies in the

17th century to trade in valuable Canadian furs.

these companies grew wealthy and powerful and

acted like independent governments. the British

hudson’s Bay Company ruled much of northern

Canada, until 1869 when its lands were made

part of the Dominion of Canada.

Canada

c. 25,000 bce First

people come to Canada.

c. 1005 ce Vikings land

in newfoundland.

1497 John Cabot

explores newfoundland.

1534 Jacques Cartier

sails Saint Lawrence river.

1605 First european

settlement established

by French at port royal.

1670 hudson’s Bay

Company receives royal

charter from english

king to trade in Canada.

1689-1763 Frequent wars

between French, British,

and native Americans.

1759 Britain captures

Québec from French.

1778 James Cook, the

english explorer, claims

west coast for Britain.

1867 Dominion of

Canada established.

1885 Canadian pacific

railway links the coasts.

1891-1914 more than

three million people

arrive from europe.

1949 newfoundland

joins the dominion.

1999 nunavut is the last

province created.

Native

Americans

were the first

inhabitants

of Canada.

Snowshoes

Log

cabin

pierre trUDeAU

Since the 1960s, Canada has become increasingly

independent of Britain. A new flag was adopted

in 1965, and two years later a world

fair—expo ’67—was held

to show off Canadian

skills in the centenary

year of independence.

in 1968, pierre trudeau

(right) was elected

as prime minister.

A great intellectual,

he was a strong supporter

of a unified Canada.

British

Columbia

Yukon

Territory

Nunavut

CaNada iN

1867

Newfoundland

and

Labrador

Québec (formerly

Lower Canada)

Nova Scotia

Traders traveled by canoe to

trading posts.Transportation

by canoe also opened the

way to missionaries and

explorers in Canada.

Prince Edward island

alberta Manitoba

European traders

exchanged goods

with Native

Americans

who trapped

wild animals for

their valuable furs.

Northwest

Territories

Ontario (formerly Upper Canada) New Brunswick

Canada

Find out more

Saskatchewan

Canada

Cook, james

inuits

native americans

Vikings

Cabot and Cartier

the italian explorer John Cabot,

sailing for england, was the first

european, after the Vikings, to

visit Canada when he sailed along

the coast of newfoundland in

1497. the French
      explorer
      Jacques Cartier
      sailed up the
      mouth of
      the Saint
      Lawrence
      river in 1534.
      Following
      these two
      voyages, both
      Britain and
      France laid
      claim to Canada. John Cabot

Canada’s most

popular emblem is

the leaf of the local

tree, the red maple.

History of

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