New France & British North America
The Royal Proclamation, 1763
Britain's first attempt at governing the French in Quebec and organising land in their new North American colonies. It allowed the French culture to stay, promised to protect First Nations land, and confined the 13 Colonies to the east coast.
1775-1783
The American Revolution / the American War of Independance
Les Filles du Roi
770 women who came from France to New France to increase the colony's population. Many Quebecois today trace their ancestry to these women.
Tecumseh
A Shawnee chief who worked to unite the Northwestern Indian tribes. He was killed fighting for the British during the War of 1812.
Treaty of Utrecht
Agreement that formally ceded Acadia from France to Great Britain.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Agreement that formally ended the American War of Independance. It established the United States of America as an independant nation and the southeastern border between what is now Canada and the USA.
Upper Canada
Colony created for the Loyalists who migrated to Canada following the American Revolution. Occupied the area that is now Southern Ontario.
Lower Canada
Colony created to continue the French culture following the Loyalist migration to Canada. Occupied the area that is now Southern Quebec.
1791
Constitutional Act
1534
Jacques Cartier's first voyage to North America - claims land for France.
1663
King Louis XIV takes control of New France from the Company of 100 Associates due to their failure to attract immigrants and protect the colony from attacks.
Constitutional Act, 1791
Law passed to created two colonies from Quebec: Upper and Lower Canada. They each could practice their own systems of language, land division, law and culture.
Quebec Act
Law passed to increase the size of Quebec, allow Roman Catholics to be appointed members of government, and the French to maintain their civil law, language, land and culture.
1663-1673
Les Filles du Roi - poor/orphaned women were sent to New France with the purpose of marrying and increasing the population through natural births.
Seigneury
Long thin strips of farm land along the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries in New France. This ensured all farmers had access to the River for transportation and fish.
Loyalists
Men, women and children from the 13 Colonies that chose to remain loyal to Britain during the American Revolution.
Quebec City
Originally established as the first year round fur trade post on the St. Lawrence River - it is the longest continually inhabited European settlement in North America.
1774
Quebec Act
1608
Samuel de Champlain establishes Quebec on the banks of the St. Lawrence River
Seigneurial System
System of land division in New France: Seigneurs were the managers and lords, Habitants were the peasant farmers.
1758
The Battle of Louisbourg - the British conquer the French fortress and control the entrance to New France.
General Wolfe
The British General during the Seven Years War. It was his daring assault of both Louisbourg and Quebec City that won the war for the British. He was killed at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Nova Scotia
The British name for the East coast region of North America that the French called Acadia.
1627
The Company of 100 Associates is recruited to invest in the colony of New France - The seigneurial system is established.
General Montcalm
The French General during the Seven Years War. He was killed at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Louisbourg
The French fortress on Cape Breton Island (Isle Royale) that was the key to protecting the entrance to New France (the entrance of the St. Lawrence River).
Acadia
The French name for the East coast region of North America that the British call Nova Scotia.
1670
The Hudson Bay Company is founded. It becomes the largest and most successful company in Canadian History.
September 13, 1759
The Plains of Abraham - The final battle for Quebec (and control of North America) between Britain and France. Britain wins.
1763
The Royal Proclamation
1756 - 1763
The Seven Years War
1812
The War of 1812
Treaty of Ghent
The agreement that ended the War of 1812
Treaty of Paris, 1763
The agreement that formally ceded all of New France to Britain and ended the Seven Years War.
Ohio Valley
The area South of the Great Lakes in North America that has fertile land perfect for agriculture. The 13 Colonists desired this land greatly and were angered when the British reserved this land for the First Nations in 1763, then gave it to Quebec in 1774.
1755 - 1762
The deportation of 8-10 000 French speaking Acadian people from Nova Scotia (Acadia) because they refused to swear an oath of allegiance to Britain and wished to remain neutral in the Seven Years War.
Acadians
The distinct French people who inhabited and continue to inhabit New Brunswick and the peninsula of Nova Scotia
Canadiens
The peasant farmers of New France. Also known as the Habitants. They had to pay taxes to the seigneur and work 3-4 days each year for free on the seigneur's land.
1763 (Treaty)
Treaty of Paris
1783
Treaty of Paris
1713
Treaty of Utrecht
American Revolution
War between the 13 Colonists and Britain for who would control the East coast colonies in North America and the Ohio Valley. The 13 Colonists won and created the new nation - The United States of America.
The Seven Years War
War fought between France and Britain both in Europe and North America. The British won, resulting in all of France's North American land claims being given over to Britain.
The War of 1812
War fought between the USA and Britain (Canada). Neither country won, however it solidified the border, created more national unity in Canada and won the USA international respect from Britain.
Seigneurs
Wealthy land owners in New France before 1627, then managers after. The had to divide the land between Habitants, advise of minerals on the land, collect taxes and report to the Governor and King of France.