SS6H4 The student will describe the impact of European contact on Canada.
a. Describe the influence of the French and the English on the language and religion of
Canada.
The Europeans who settled Canada came mainly from Great Britain and France. The English and
the French explored and established settlements across North America. They brought their languages
and religions with them. Conquered Indian tribes were pushed aside, destroyed, or isolated. In
time, Canada came to be ruled by Great Britain. There were many French-speakers, however, in
the province of Quebec. Religion was different in Quebec, too. Most of Canada was non-Catholic
Christian. The French-speaking people of Quebec were mostly Roman Catholic.
Great Britain got control of Canada in 1763 as a result of the French and Indian War. The British
rule of Canada lasted into the twentieth century. During those years, settlers moved across the
continent. The English-speakers of Canada stretched from coast to coast. Today, nearly 70 percent of
Canadians speak English as their first language. English is one of the official languages of government
and business in the country.
The effects of French settlement remain, however. Although only 20 percent of the population
speaks French as its first language, 81 percent of the people in Quebec have French as their first
language. Only about 8 percent of Quebec’s citizens speak English as a first language. French is the
official language of business and government in Quebec. Advertising can be in both French and
English. However, the English portion must come after the French part, and the English words must be
of smaller size. Because of the distinct society of French-speakers in the country, French is an official
language of Canada. All government documents are written in French and English.
Religion in Canada is a result of its history too. The French settlers were Roman Catholic.
English settlers tended to be non-Catholic Christians. Today, about 80 percent of people in Quebec
are Catholic. In Canada as a whole, the number is about 44 percent. Although other religions are
practiced, the main religions are those that were brought from the mother countries.
____ 268. Which are the official languages in Canada?
A.English and French
B. Portuguese and Spanish
C. Spanish and French Creole
D. Canadian and French-Canadian
____ 269. Which pair of European countries contributed most to the languages of
Canada?
A.England and Spain
B. Spain and Portugal
C. England and France
D. France and Portugal
____ 270. What is the most common religion of Quebec?
A.Hindu
B.Jewish
C. Roman Catholic
D. Protestant Christian
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LATIN AMERICA
AND CANADA
THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRENCH AND THE ENGLISH ON THE LANGUAGE AND
RELIGION OF CANADA
____ 271. Which statement describes why English is the most common language of
Canada?
A.France did not send settlers to Canada.
B. English is an easier language to learn than French.
C. The French did not rule Canada during its settlement.
D. Great Britain ruled Canada for most of its period of settlement and expansion.
SS6H4 The student will describe the impact of European contact on Canada.
b.
Explain how Canada became an independent nation.
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Great Britain colonized lands around the world. In North America, the thirteen colonies declared
their independence and fought a war with Great Britain to secure it. They created the United States
of America. Other colonies fought for their freedom, too. Some colonies were able to get their
independence through peaceful means. Canada was one of those countries.
Canada became part of Great Britain in 1763. This was a result of Great Britain’s defeat of France
in the French and Indian War. The country expanded, and pioneers and settlers found ways to use the
resources of the country. By the mid-1860s, people in Canada wanted to be united. They asked the
British Parliament to create a constitution allowing for increased self-government. Some Canadians
worried that the United States might invade parts of Canada to gain new lands.
The British North America Act of 1867 put together the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, and the new constitution titled the country the Dominion of Canada.
The country was allowed to have its own parliament and prime minister. It was not allowed to make
treaties with other countries, and it had to be a part of the military of the United Kingdom (Great
Britain and Northern Ireland). The monarch, king or queen, would be the same for Canada and Great
Britain.
This system worked well for many years. However, many Canadian soldiers were used by the
United Kingdom in World War I. The loss of life was very high. Canadians decided they wanted more
control in foreign affairs. After the war was over, Canadians began to work toward independence. In
1931, the British Parliament granted independence to Canada. It was 1982 before the final links were
broken between the British Parliament and the Canadian government. The two countries still share the
same monarch.
____ 272. Which was allowed for Canada by the British North America Act of 1867?
A.Canada could choose the governor-general.
B. Canada could sign treaties with other countries.
C. A Canadian parliament could make laws for the country.
D. Canada could elect its own monarch separate from Great Britain.
____ 273. What part of the British North America Act of 1867 were Canadians opposed to
after World War I?
A.sharing the same monarch
B. having one parliament for two countries
C. having their own parliament and prime minister
D. use of Canadian soldiers in the army of the United Kingdom
____ 274. Canada’s independence from the United Kingdom was granted after which
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LATIN AMERICA
AND CANADA
HOW CANADA BECAME AN INDEPENDENT NATION