Population and Settlement

  • 30,000 BCE

    Asain migrations across the Beringia land bridge.

    Asain migrations across the Beringia land bridge.
    During the last ice age, many asians crossed the Beringia land bridge to reach North America.
  • 10,000 BCE

    First Aboriginal people in St. Lawrence Valley

    First Aboriginal people in St. Lawrence Valley
    The first occupants established themselves in Québec and in Ontario. They arrived after the melting of ice caps.
  • Establishment of Tadoussac

    Establishment of Tadoussac
    Pierre Chavin established a trading post in Tadoussac to centralize the fur trade between the French and the Natives.
  • Founding of Quebec City

    Founding of Quebec City
    Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City in order to facilitate fur trade with Amerindians.
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    French Regime

    From 1608 to 1760, it was the French authorities, (King of France) that had the political control over the colony of New-France
  • Founding of the company of One-Hundred Associates

    Founding of the company of One-Hundred Associates
    Cardinal Richelieu founded the company along with 99 other associates. New France will grant the monopoly on the fur trade to the company. In return, the company was to populate and protect the settlers in the colony. However, they failed to respect their obligations.
  • Introduction of the Seigneurial system

    Introduction of the Seigneurial system
    The seigneurial system was introduced to New France in 1627. This division of land divided the region into slim rectangles caled seigneuries, each having small perpendicular acces to the river.
  • Founding of Trois-Rivières

    Founding of Trois-Rivières
    Sieur de Laviolette founded a second settlement at the confluence of the St. Maurice and St. Lawrence rivers called Trois-Rivières. This settlement was also used for commercial purposes related to the fur trade.
  • First disease outbreak

    First disease outbreak
    The first disease outbreak occurred when the Amerindians caught unknown sicknesses, for exmaple; smallpox, cholera, etc. from the Franch merchants
  • Founding of Ville-Marie

    Founding of Ville-Marie
    Paul Comedy de Maisonneuve) founded Ville-Marie in 1642 near the Iroquois' territory. The purpose was to evangelize the Amerindians but it became an important trading post because it was in the middle of the amerindian territory.
  • Royal Government

    Royal Government
    King Louis XIV took back control of the colonial development as the population of New France was very low. He put intendant, Jean Talon in charge of the first census, attempting to populate the colony
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    Immigration policies and brith incentives under intendant; Jean Talon

    To increase the population of New France, Jean Talon created immigration and birth incentives including the promotion of immigration of the Engagés, Filles du Roi and Soldiers, as well as allowances for young marriage and families with many children and fines for bachelors and bachelorettes.
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    British military rule

    Although New France's territory was occupied by the English at this time, the Seven Years War was not yet over. Consequentially, for three years, New France was under a regime called the British military regime, run by the British army.
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    British Regime

    After the English claim victory of the Seven Years, the Treaty of Paris was signed. At this point, New France official became a british colony, therefor under the ruling of the King of England.
  • Treaty of Paris

    Treaty of Paris
    This treaty signed to end the Seven Years' War forced the French to give up all of North America to the English, with the exception of two small islands; St. Pierre and Miquelon.
  • Royal Proclamation

    Royal Proclamation
    The first constitution of the province of Quebec describes the operations of the new Brittish colony, including the township system.
  • Quebec Act

    Quebec Act
    Fearing the security of the corporation of the French inhabitants, the British created a document that restored the French civil laws, expanding the territory, granting free practice of Catholic religion and the oath of allegiance was replaced with one that no longer makes reference to Protestant faith.
  • Declaration of American Independence

    Declaration of American Independence
    After the American revolution of 1776, the 13 colonies gained independence, it was not until 1783 that the Treaty of Versailles was signed, official declaring the independence of the United States of America.
  • Constitutional Act

    Constitutional Act
    This Constitution created due to the arrival of loyalists separated Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada.
  • The great potato famine

    The great potato famine
    Due to a significant potato famine in Ireland, more than a million immigrants come to Québec. However, due to large possibility of disease that could possibly cause epidemics, the immigrants must stop at a quarantine island, called Grosse-Île.
  • The Confederation

    The Confederation
    The confederation had the four founding provinces, (Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) form the dominion of Canada
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    Contemporary period

    In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was split into the four founding provinces, (Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia). This date marked the independence of our country and the beginning of a new era; the Contemporary era.
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    Emigration to the Unites States

    From 1867 to 1929 many Canadiens emigrated to the U.S due to a shortage of farmland in the St. Lawrence Valley, the proximity of the American border and the need for employers and wages in the United States.
  • Economic crisis and National Policy

    Economic crisis and National Policy
    An economic crisis disrupted the population growth in Canada. Therefore, the first Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald introduced a National policy to increase settlement.
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    Industrialization and Urbanization

    A second phase of industrialization is present in Canada. Big cities like Montreal and Toronto became industrial centres. 1/3 of the population lived in the city