Canadian History False Statements

• New France timeline:
  • 1608: Champlain's arrival.
  • 1600-1700: Beaver Wars.
  • 1702-1713: War of Spanish Succession.
  • 1740-1748: War of Austrian Succession.
  • 1755: Deportation of Acadians.
  • 1756-1763: Seven Years' War.

The Jesuits

• The Pope endorsed the Jesuits, a Protestant group focused on converting people to Catholicism.
• They traveled globally, including New France, to convert Indigenous peoples.
• Jesuits were the first to establish organized religious and educational institutions, centralizing power back to the Pope (Ultramontanism).
• Demonstrated extreme devotion, with many dying while trying to convert First Nations (especially the Huron).
• Some were attacked due to being seen as bringers of disease.
• Jesuit commitment became a defining element of Quebecois society.
• Religious orders formed the foundation of education in remote areas, later becoming part of the residential school system after Confederation.
• The first Jesuits school in Canada was established in 1653.

Achieving Acadian Loyalty

• A degree of autonomy should be implemented.
• Practicing religious tolerance
• Shouldn’t suppress them
• A common goal is needed.

Mercantilism

• Wealth accumulation is a key goal.
• Wealth is considered finite, necessitating its collection.
• Skills are needed to extract wealth.
• Empire needed to collect, occupy and use
• Countries should diversify
• Maximizing production for export of "undesirable" goods while importing "desirable" goods.
• Heavy regulation is present.
• Wealth is extracted from the economy.
• Economic activity supported the State/King.
• Loyalty is produced to sustain wealth.

Capitalism

• Wealth can be generated.
• Wealth can be generated through innovation and productivity.
• Producers identifying and meeting consumer needs will generate wealth.
• Producers create value, fostering competition and innovation.
• Specialization provides an advantage.
• Trading with others generates wealth.
• Exported items should meet consumer demand.
• Intentional regulation is needed.
• Overregulation hinders innovation and economic growth.
• The free market should lead to competition.
• Economic activity benefits consumers and producers, with the state playing a supporting role.
• Loyalty develops through interdependence.

Seven Years' War and End of New France (Feb 3, 2025)

• The Treaty of Paris resulted in the French losing most of New France to the English.
• France retained small islands: St. Pierre and Miquelon.
• The war caused tensions between the British government and English colonists in North America.
• The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was established.
• Increasing imperial interests caused the war in 1756.
• Competing interests in North America extended the war to New France.
• English colonists wanted westward expansion, and the French wanted to maintain control over the fur trade.
• First Nations (Iroquois and Algonquian) were involved, as their future was linked to their European allies.
• Alliances confirmed through trade relations.
• The battles at Louisburg (1758), Quebec City (1759), and the occupation of Montreal (1760) marked the end of New France.

Decapitation Thesis

• French elites left the government.
• This led to dependence on the Church.

Road to the American Revolution (Feb 10, 2025)

• Seven Years' War: 1756-1763.
• Pontiac’s Rising: 1763
• Settlers were attacked and killed by Indigenous peoples due to colonization and desires to preserve their way of life.
• Proclamation Act: 1763
• Restricted settlers from crossing the Appalachian Mountains due to chaos.
• The British government believed the Colonists needed to pay back debt, leading to large taxes and feelings of oppression.
• Quebec Act (Intolerable Act): 1774
• Aimed to create a good relationship with French Catholics to secure British power in the Saint Lawrence River.
• American Revolution: 1776

Problems and the Proclamation Act of 1763

• A military government was in place in Quebec after the Seven Years War.
• How to govern the French who vastly outnumbered the English
• What to do with the English Colonists who wanted to farm in Ohio Valley
• Pontiac’s Rebellion caused British action, resulting in the Proclamation Act.
• The act prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, upsetting English Colonists.
• The British needed the Colonists to pay back debts from the Seven Years’ War because they would benefit long term.

Background to the American Revolution

• Relations declined between Britain and its English Colonies after the Proclamation Act.
• The Colonies, separated by an ocean, had developed high autonomy and elected colonial councils.
• The English Colonists believed they deserved the checks and balances that grew out of the English Civil War (1642-1651) and the Glorious Revolution (1688).
• Conservative Revolution: fighting for fundamental freedoms.
• The British believed the Colonists benefited from trade and security provided by the Empire.
• After the Seven Years’ War, British Parliament imposed taxes on the colonies:
  • 1764: Sugar Act.
  • 1765: Stamp Act – caused rebellions and was repealed in 1766.
  • 1767: Townshend Act – taxes on items, rebellions broke out, all taxes revoked except on tea.
• Slogan “No taxation without representation” became popular.
• 1773: Tea Act – additional taxes on tea, sparked the Boston Tea Party.

The British Response

• Britain passed a series of laws in 1774 that Colonists called the “Intolerable Acts”:
  • Boston Port Act: Shut down Boston Harbor.
  • Massachusetts Government Act: Government officials are hand picked.
  • Administration of Justice Act: Trials decided by Britain.
  • Quartering Act.
  • Quebec Act.
• Acts led to rising resentment in the colonies.
• Colonies formed militias, and on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was declared.
• Proclamation Act (1763): British North America, thirteen colonies (possibly fourteen with Nova Scotia).
• A new colony called Quebec was created to the right of Nova Scotia, hugging the St. Lawrence River.
• Land past the Appalachian Mountains was designated as Native land.

The Quebec Act (1774)

• The colony of Quebec was merged with some Native land to become the largest colony.
• The British passed it to secure loyalty.

Impact of the American War of Independence on British North America

• Many in the thirteen colonies did not support the War of Independence against Britain.
• Around 40,000 Loyalists migrated north to Nova Scotia and Quebec; unified by conservatism.

Loyalists in Nova Scotia

• About 30,000 Loyalists arrived and demanded their own colony, resulting in the creation of New Brunswick in 1784.

Loyalists in Quebec

• About 10,000 Loyalists arrived and wanted elected councils, which the Quebec Act prevented.
• They demanded their own colony, resulting in the Constitutional Act in 1791.
• Upper Canada was carved out of Quebec, and the remainder became Lower Canada.
• Both colonies were granted elected assemblies.
• Provisions of the Quebec Act favorable to the French remained.
• These assemblies could represent the interests of the colonists.

Results

• Laid foundations for the evolution of democratic governance in Canada.
• The foundation was also laid for a bilingual and multicultural Canada.
• British North America had a new neighbor to compare itself to constantly.

Multiple choice questions identifying incorrect historical statements about Canadian history. Topics include the Proclamation Act, Quebec Act, Loyalists, Jesuits, and mercantilism. Test your knowledge of key events and figures in Canadian history.