#canada #history

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It is believed that aboriginal Canadians came from Asia[1].

European history in Canada began in 1534 with Jacques Cartier. Acadians (French settlers) started settling in 1604, English arrived shortly after (1610). For a period between early 1600s and roughly 1700s, French and English competed for fur trade and territorial conquest, trading and allying with first nations (Hurons, Algonquin, Montagnais), at war with others (Iroquois).

In the 1750s French and English were at war, French were defeated in 1759 the Battle of the plains of Abraham in Quebec, and renamed "New France" into the province of Quebec. At about the same time, Nova Scotia was granted the first parliamentary government in the British Empire. The United Kingdom passed the "Quebec Act" in the 1770s to give freedom of religion to Catholics. Then in 1791, the constitutional act gives representative legislative assembly, and split the Quebec into Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec)[3].

In 1812 the US tried to invade Canada, and were defeated in 1814.

In 1833 slavery got abolished throughout the British empire. A movement that started in 1793 in Ontario[2].

During the 1800s, the immigration-natality ratio reverses, and most of the people in Canada are now born in Canada. In 1837 and 1838 rebellions happened for independence of Canada from the Empire. They got shut off, but in 1841 the British Parliament re-united Upper and Lower Canada into a single Province of Canada, with a common legislative assembly, and a Responsible Government. This was the first step towards confederation.

After 4 years of work between representative of the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Upper and Lower Canada, the 4 provinces confederate on July 1st, 1867 into the Dominion of Canada. The rules of the confederation, made legal by the British Parliament, are written in what was called the British North America Act and what is known today as the constitution act[4]. The first Prime Minister is John MacDonald. The country grew over the years: joined in 1870 by Manitoba and North-West territories. In 1871 by BC, after Ottawa promised the construction of a railroad to the west: the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed in 1885. In 1873, Prince Edward Island. In 1878, the Arctic Islands are added to NWT. In 1898, Yukon. In 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta, which triggered rebellions from the Metis, who weren't consulted. In 1949, Newfoundland and Labrador are added. In 1999, the Northwest territories are split, and Nunavut, the land of Inuit, is created.

Canada participated to a number of wars. From 1899 to 1902, to the South African Wars[5]. In 1914, 600k Canadians participate to World War I, 60k are killed. The most significant battle for Canada is in Vimy Ridge[6], where Canada demonstrates the valor of its forces for the first time. 1.1M Canadians participate to World War II, including liberation of Italy, and invasion of Juno beach. About 45k are killed[7]. In 1950, Canada participates to the war in Korea as a member of NATO[8].

Between WW-I and WW-II: the 1920s (roaring 20s) were an economic boom, but the crisis of 1929 sent Canada in depression (dirty thirties). A long period of prosperity follows WW-II, which sees the creation of its social safety net: the EI in 1940, pension plans in 1965, healthcare and education common grounds. Today Canada is the 10th largest economy in the world, and 75% of its workforce works in the service industries.

The Canadian flag is adopted in 1965 in replacement of the Red Ensign. The Order of Canada (including the Victoria Cross) is adopted for Canada's centennial in 1967. In 1969, the Official Language Act defines English and French as official throughout the Federal Government. O Canada is adopted as National Hymn in 1980, about 100y after its initial writing in French[9].

In 1982, Queen Elisabeth II signs the amended constitution. The amendment adds the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and transfers the ownership of the Constitution to Canada, now in full right to amend it.

In 1988, Canada enters a free trade agreement with the US, extended in 1994 to Mexico through NAFTA.

In 1995, Quebec has a referendum to ceceed from Canada, which fails.

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Economy More than 75% people work in services

General agreement on tariffs and trade - organization to relax tarriffs worldwide

10th largest economy in the world.

75% export to the US

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