History

While the vast regions of North America were long populated by Aboriginal peoples—the native Indians—with rich cultures and highly developed societies, Canada as a concept and a country is a very recent phenomenon. European contact with the landmass that would one day become Canada is thought to have begun with the arrival of Norsemen (vikings) in the 11th century who came from the northern European regions and explored Canada's far north—but they did not stay.

Settlement by Europeans did not begin until the 17th century. It was French colonists who first settled Canada. The earliest major settlements were established in Nova Scotia in 1604 and Quebec in 1608. The French were essentially interested in Canada's rich wildlife which provided the basis of the fur trade and the Company of New France was set up to facilitate a growing trade in beaver pelts, which were made into highly sought after fashion items in the rich societies back home in Europe. Indians trapped animals and traded the pelts for European items they desired.

The British were jealous of the French success and soon began to compete for territory and trading centres. The Hudson's Bay Company was founded in 1670 to rival the French company, and for over 200 years exercised power over the Canadian north. You can still shop in Hudson's Bay Company stores today—although now they are fashionable department stores rather than places to trade beaver pelts for snowshoes and gunpowder.

Throughout the 18th century there were battles fought between the various Indian tribes and the French and British entrepreneurs. The constant wars fought between Britain and France faraway in Europe also affected the fortunes of what would one day become Canada, as overseas territories and rights were won, lost and traded. American history also affected Canada's history: following the American War of Independence, many of those who had remained loyal to the British monarchy left the newly republican America to settle north of the border. The French Revolution also caused concerns in its far-flung colonies and interests. This age of European uncertainty provided the impetus for the merging of the different areas into a confederation. In 1867 Canada was born when Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all joined together. As time passed, other provinces and territories also joined.

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