Canada Short History
1783
After the American independence about 50000 United Empire Loyalists migrate to British North America.
1791
The C onstitutional Act divides Canada into the provinces Upper- and Lower Canada (Ontario and Quebec). Each province gets an own parliament
1812-14
The 2 nd American invasion is fought back. In the Geneva peace treaty Britain and the USA conciliate on todays borders.
1837/38
The rebellion of the Francophone Patriots in Lower Canada: In Upper Canada William Lyon Mackenzie fights against the so-called family compact - the corrupt group around the governor.
1841
The Act of Union unites both provinces to the Province of Canada
1860
The Grant Trunk Railroad connects Lake Huron with Montreal and Toronto. Until 1885 the pacific coast is also reachable per Railroad.
1864
In Charlottetown the Fathers of Confederation conciliate on the foundation of a Confederation.
07/01/1867
With the British North America Act Canada is founded. Confederation Members are: Ontario, Quebec, New Scotland and New Brunswick.
1870
Canada buys Prince Rupert Island from the HBC for 300.000 pounds sterling silver.
1873
Prince Edward Island joins the Confederation
1884
With the establishment of the "Canadian Pacific Railway" also the western regions of Canada may be developed which causes an enormous economic recovery
1905
The last British troops leave Canada
1914-18
Canada sends half a million soldiers into WWI at the side of Great Britain. The heavily disputed call-up law endangers the states unity
The 30s
Canada is being haunted by the world depression
1931
Canada becomes independent from the UK, at least as far as it concerns foreign affairs.
1939-45
During WWII Canada fights on the side of the Allied. 42.000 Canadian soldiers fall on European battlefields
1949
Newfoundland joins Canada
1949-80
Business Boom. The population doubles. New immigration laws now open Canada also for colored immigrants
1959
The St. Laurent Sea Way is finished
The 60s
The Revolution Tranquille enforces a social-liberal climate in Quebec
1961
The Trans Canada Highway is finished.
1970/71
Quebecs Minister of Work Pierre Laporte is executed by the radical FLQ (Front de Libération Québec), which demands a "free Quebec". Prime Minister Trudeau calls out the state of emergency because of that.
1973
A law, which guarantees full equality of rights between English and French language, which calms down the situation
1975
The election-win of the PQ ( Partie Quebecois ) enforces the separation movement
1980
In a plebiscite the Quebecois vote against the independence from Canada
1982
The old British North America Act is being abolished. Canada gets a new constitution, but Quebec doesnt sign it
1987-1990
With the Meech Lake Accord Quebec poses five conditions under which it would sign the constitution. Deadline: 07/23/1990.
1990
Shortly before the deadline Newfoundland and Manitoba refuse to sign the Meech Lake Accord: Quebec pulls back.
1992
In the so-called Charlottetown Referendum a majority votes for keeping the constitutional status quo.
1993
The federal Liberal Party under Jean Chrétien wins the elections. The Conservative Party totally vanishes from the parliament. The opposition now is the Reform Party under Preston Manning and the separational Bloc Québécois
