Canadian Independence
Canadian Independence Day Celebration at Niagara Falls: July 1st
Essential Question
 How
did
Canada
become
independent
from Great
Britain and how
does that affect
Canada today?
First Europeans in America?



Who discovered the
Americas?
Many believe it was the
Spanish, but it has
recently been proven
that Viking sailors From
Scandinavia landed in
Canada in 1000 AD.
That is 500 years
BEFORE Columbus!!!!
Canada as a Colony



It wasn’t until the
1600s that Canada
became a European
colony
Canada began as a
colony of France in
1608. “New France”
Held areas in what is
today Quebec, New
Brunswick and Nova
Scotia.
British Colony

By 1764, Great Britain had
taken control of all of
Canada.


The fur trade in Canada was
very profitable
French and Indian War


1.
France lost
Canada was a British
Colony until 1867 when it
got its independence.
How do you think Canada
got its independence?
The American Revolution
 In
1776, the Thirteen Colonies fight
for their independence from England.
 After winning, the United States of
America are formed.
Canada didn’t have to Fight for
Independence



Britain was spending a lot of money to protect their Canadian colonies
They also didn’t want to fight another long, expensive war.
The people of Canada ASK and NEGOTIATE for their Independence


Great Britain says OK!
On July 1, 1867, British Parliament passes the Constitution Act

This unites Canada and makes it its own country
Canada is Sovereign

Canada was now a SOVEREIGN country.


Free, independent, ruled themselves
They have a government like England’s


They have a Parliament, Prime Minister, and still recognize
the Queen as their Head of State.
But, they were also a member of the BRITISH
COMMONWEALTH


The British Commonwealth (also known as the
Commonwealth of Nations) is a voluntary association
of countries that used to be British Colonies.
They are members completely by choice


They don’t have to be
They work with Great Britain to make sure their
countries have democracy, human rights, good laws
and good governments.
British Commonwealth

Today, the British Commonwealth includes 53
different countries.
British Commonwealth



The symbolic leader of the
British Commonwealth is the
British Monarch (Queen
Elizabeth II)
The monarch has no real
power, but she is seen as a
symbol of the British
Commonwealth
That’s why the Queen is on
Canadian money!!!!