Canada is a state in North America. It is the second largest country in the world by its area. Canada originates from the French colony, which was located on the site of the city of Quebec. The modern territory and state system of Canada was formed as a result of long historical and political processes.
Colonial period
For millennia, the land that is now Canada has been inhabited by the indigenous peoples of America. The first British and French colonies on the territory of modern Canada appeared at the end of the 15th century on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. In 1534, the French explorer Jacques Cartier took possession of the territory of modern Quebec on behalf of the King of France Francis I.
In 1583, the Englishman Humphrey Gilbert declared the territory of modern Newfoundland an English colony under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I of England. In 1605 and 1608, the first European settlements were founded in Quebec and Port Royal.
Thus, the territory of Canada was inhabited by French and English settlers. From 1689 to 1763, four wars over territory and resources broke out in colonial North America between the French, British, Dutch and Indian tribes. As a result of these wars, part of French Canada passed into the hands of the British. Numerous conflicts took place between the population of the French settlements and the British authorities.
In 1763, the territory of Canada finally became British. The remaining French territories were ceded to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris. To prevent conflict with the French population of Quebec, the British authorities expanded its territory, allowed to keep the Catholic faith and French as the official language.
Canada played an important role in the Anglo-American War of 1812, during which the United States planned to expand its territory at the expense of the British colony of Canada, which was not achieved. After the war, in 1815, a massive immigration of Europeans to Canada began.
The absence of a real government, disagreements between the English and French populations of Canada lead to the uprising of 1837. The uprising was suppressed by the British authorities. In order to assimilate the French population, it was decided to unite Canada into one territory, United Canada, and thereby abolish some of the rights given to the French. Colonization of Canada continues: in 1849 a colony was founded in Vancouver, and in 1858 - British Columbia.
Canadian Confederation
In 1867, the unification of the three colonies - the United Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick - into a dominion called Canada was finally approved, uniting four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia). At the same time, Canada received the right to form its own government without leaving the British Empire.
British Columbia and Vancouver joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871. To expand the territory westward, the government sponsors the construction of three railways and passes the Dominion Lands Act. In 1905, some areas of the Northwest Territories adopted a new statute and became the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Early 20th century
Still part of the British Empire, Canada enters World War I. Canada's independence from Britain continues to grow. In 1919, Canada voluntarily joins the League of Nations.
In 1931, the Westminster Statute confirms that no law of the British Parliament can apply to the territory of Canada without the consent of the Canadian government.
Modernity
In 1949, the previously independent Newfoundland joined Canada as the tenth province. In 1965, the current flag of Canada was approved, in 1969 Anglo-French bilingualism was officially approved, and in 1971 - multiculturalism as a national policy.
In 1982, the Canadian Constitution was repatriated from the UK. At the same time, a charter of rights and freedoms was created. In 1999, Nunawat joined Canada as a territory. At the moment, Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
