INTRODUCTION TO CANADIAN HISTORY British North America (B.N.A.): term referring to Canada before it became a country in 1867. Two Founding European Cultures - At the beginning of the 1600's the French and English began to settle North America. - Both groups, established relations with the Native peoples, establishing a fur-trading, farming, and fishing economy. - However France and Britain were old rivals and were often at war with each other in Europe and North America. One issue they fought over was control of North America. - After many years of conflict the British defeated the French in 1760, this is called the Conquest. - Quebec was known as Lower Canada. - Ontario was knows as Upper Canada.

British Control of North America

With the Treaty of Paris in 1763 Britain had full control of Quebec, many French were fearful of what would happen to them. They had good reason to be concerned. In 1755 the British expelled 6000 Acadians (French) from Nova Scotia which had come under their control in 1713. Thus the French lived in fear of what may happen to them.

What may have been the reaction to the Treaty of Paris by First Peoples?

Quebec had approx. 65,000 Francophone to about 600 Anglophones who insisted they should have an elected assembly; by law Catholics were forbidden from elected office thus, 600 English would control 65,000 French. This was obviously an unfair situation.

Quebec Act:

- The Quebec Act eased tensions for a while however people in Upper and Lower Canada began to rebel for more rights/independence in the 1830's. The British easily put the rebellions down.

- England sent Lord Durham to Upper and Lower Canada to eliminate the friction in Upper and Lower Canada. Durham made two suggestions:

	1) Quebec border expanded to west including best fur trappings lands
	2) Freedom of religion granted for Roman Catholics; could now hold elected office
	3) French civil law retained and British common law established
	3) Roman Catholic churches permitted to own property collect titles
	4) No land taken from French
	5) No elected assembly created

1) unite Upper and Lower Canada so that eventually English Canadians would greatly outnumber French Canadians; eventually French culture would disappear

2) Once the French were assimilated, responsible government should be given.