Former colonies and territories in Canada

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Former colonies, territories, boundaries, and claims in Canada prior to the current classification of provinces and territories.[1] In North America, ethnographers commonly classify Aboriginals into ten (six in Canada) geographical regions with shared cultural traits and by related linguistic dialects.[2] The colonization of Canada by Europeans began in the 10th century, when Norsemen explored and attempted to settle areas of the northeastern fringes of North America.[3] Early permanent European settlements in what is now Canada included the late 16th and 17th century French colonies of Acadia and Canada (New France),[4] the English colonies of Newfoundland (island) and Rupert's Land,[5] the Scottish colonies of Nova Scotia and Port Royal.[6]

France relinquished nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War to the British Empire.[7] Britain's imperial government over a century later then ceded the land to Canadian control in 1867 after confederation.[8] Since then, Canada's external borders have changed several times, and has grown from four initial provinces to ten provinces and three territories as of 1999.[9]

Contents

[edit] Pre-colonization

[edit] Aboriginal societies

Pre-Columbian distribution of North American language families
Main articles: Classification of indigenous peoples of the Americas and Indigenous languages of the Americas

Aboriginal peoples in what is now Canada did not form state societies, instead they were organized into bands of a few families, grouped into larger tribes and chieftainships. In the absence of state structures, academics usually classify aboriginal people by their traditional "lifeway" (or primary economic activity) and region into "culture areas", or by their language families.[10] Some of these extended language family groups united into loose confederacies, such as the Ojibwa, who according to oral tradition formed the Council of Three Fires in 796 CE with the Odawa and the Potawatomi.[11] The six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, was formed in 1142 CE according to their oral traditions.[12][13] There was also the four or possibly five tribes of the Huron Confederacy,[14] both in the Great Lakes region, or the four tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy in present day Alberta and neighbouring Montana.[15] The Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast and peoples of the Northwest Plateau developed highly structured cultures from relatively dense populations. Some cultures in this region were very similar and share certain elements, such as the importance of fishing to their communities.[16]

[edit] European colonization

European colonization
of the Americas
First colonization
British colonization
Courlandish colonization
Danish colonization
Dutch colonization
French colonization
German colonization
Norse colonization
Portuguese colonization
Russian colonization
Scottish colonization
Spanish colonization
Swedish colonization
Colonization of Canada
Colonization of the USA
Decolonization
Further information: European colonization of the Americas and Timeline of the colonization of North America

[edit] Norse settlement

See also: Norse colonization of the Americas

While the Norse colonies in Greenland lasted for almost 500 years, the continental North American settlements were small and did not develop into permanent colonies.[17] Vinland – Markland – Helluland are the names given to three lands possibly in Canada, discovered by Norsemen as described in the Eiríks saga rauða[18] and Grœnlendinga saga.[19]

[edit] Portuguese outposts

See also: Portuguese colonization of the Americas

The Portuguese Crown claimed it had territorial rights in the Atlantic waters visited by explorer John Cabot in 1497 and 1498.[21] In 1498 to 1500, the Portuguese mariner João Fernandes Lavrador visited the north Atlantic coast, accounting for the appearance of the name "Labrador" on topographical maps of the period.[22] In 1501 and 1502 the Corte-Real brothers explored present day Newfoundland claiming the land in the name of Portuguese Empire.[23] In 1520–1521 trading outposts were founded by João Álvares Fagundes and Pêro de Barcelos in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. This outpost were abandoned within five years.[22]

[edit] New France

Map of North America in 1750, before the French and Indian War, that is part of the greater world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War (1756 to 1763). – possessions of Britain (pink), France (blue), and Spain (orange) –
See also: French colonization of the Americas and List of French possessions and colonies

In 1534, Jacques Cartier planted a cross in the Gaspé Peninsula and claimed the land in the name of Francis I of France.[24] In 1600, a trading post was established at Tadoussac, but only five of the sixteen settlers survived the winter and returned home that summer.[24] In 1604, a settlement was founded at Île-Saint-Croix on Baie Française (Bay of Fundy) which was moved to Port-Royal in 1605.[24] It was abandoned in 1607, reestablished in 1610, and destroyed in 1613, after which settlers moved to other nearby locations.[24]

[edit] British North America

See also: British colonization of the Americas and Scottish colonization of the Americas

British colonization of the Americas (including colonization sponsored by both the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland before the 1707 Acts of Union which created the Kingdom of Great Britain) began in the late 16th century and reached its peak when colonies had been established throughout the Americas. The Kingdom of Great Britain acquired the French colony of Acadia in 1713 and then Canada, New France.[25]

Great Britain also claimed the west coast of North America; indirectly via (from 1804) the North West Company and (after 1821) Hudson's Bay Company licenses west of the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia and New Caledonia fur districts, most of which were jointly claimed by the United States, which called it the Oregon Country, from 1818 until the 49th parallel as the international boundary was extended west of the Rockies by the Oregon Treaty of 1846.[25] The Colony of Vancouver Island, founded in 1849, and the Colony of British Columbia, founded in 1858, were combined in 1866 with the name Colony of British Columbia until joining Confederation in 1871.[25] British Columbia also was expanded with the addition what had been the Colony of the Queen Charlotte Islands and also most of the Stikine Territory, in 1863, and upon joining Confederation with the addition of the Peace River Country, formerly part of the Northwest Territories.[25]

Animated map of North Americas territorial evolution from 1750 to 2008

[edit] New Spain

See also: Spanish colonization of the Americas

Spanish colonizers had originally taken the lead in the Pacific Northwest coast, with the voyages of Juan José Pérez Hernández in 1774 and 1775.[26] This was in response to intelligence that the Russians had begun to explore the Pacific Coast of North America, which the Spanish considered part of New Spain.[27]

[edit] Russian America

Further information: Russian colonization of the Americas

In 1799, Tsar Paul I proclaimed Russian title and established the Russian American Company's trade monopoly and rule in the North Pacific through the creation of Russian America.[29] The stated southward limit of Russian claims was 51 degrees north latitude, roughly that of Cape Scott at the northern tip of Vancouver Island.[30] Though no Russian settlements were established in what is now British Columbia, Russian trade and scientific expeditions frequented the North Coast. Intense tripartite negotiation led to treaties between Russia with the US and Britain in 1824 and 1825, respectively, setting the new southward limit of Russian territories at 54 degrees, 40 minutes north latitude, corresponding with Cape Muzon at the southern tip of Dall Island, at the extreme southwest of what is today the Alaska Panhandle.[31][32]

[edit] Canadian territorial evolution

Main article: Territorial evolution of Canada
Animated map of Canada's territorial evolution from 1867 to present

Canada became an independent nation after the Constitution Act of 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867).[9] Originally three provinces of British North America, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (which would become Ontario and Quebec) united to form the new nation.[9] Since then, Canada's external borders have changed several times, and has grown from four initial provinces to ten provinces and three territories as of 1999.[9]

[edit] Alaska boundary dispute

Main article: Alaska boundary dispute

The Alaska boundary dispute, simmering since the Alaska purchase of 1867, became critical when gold was discovered in the Yukon during the late 1890s.[34] Canada argued its historic boundary with Russian America included the Lynn Canal and the port of Skagway, both occupied by the U.S.,[34] while the U.S. claimed the Atlin District and the lower Stikine and even Whitehorse. The dispute went to arbitration in 1903, with the British delegate siding with the Americans.[35]

[edit] Norwegian claim

Otto Sverdrup a Norwegian explorer claimed the Sverdrup Islands for Norway in 1898, but the Norwegian government showed no interest in pursuing the claim until 1928.[36] On 11 November 1930 (Remembrance Day) after formal Canadian intervention, Norway recognized Canada's sovereignty over the islands.[37]

[edit] Danish claim

Map showing the 1973 agreed delimitation of the Continental Shelf between Greenland and Canada as defined by the Canadian Hydrographic Service
Further information: Territorial claims in the Arctic

Hans Island is the smallest of three islands located in Kennedy Channel; the others are Franklin Island and Crozier Island.[38] The island is the traditional hunting grounds of the Inuit and is claimed by both Canada and Denmark.[38] In 2007, updates of satellite photos led Canada to recognize the international border as crossing through the middle of Hans Island, not to the east of the island as previously claimed.[39]

[edit] Northwest Passage

Main article: Northwest Passage international waters dispute

The Canadian government considers the Northwestern Passages part of Canadian Internal Waters,[40] but the United States and various European countries maintain they are an international strait or transit passage, allowing free and unencumbered passage.[41]

[edit] Areas disputed by the United States

Main article: List of areas disputed by Canada and the United States

Although Canada and the United States share the longest non-militarized border between two countries, there is a long history of disputes about the border's demarcation.[42]

[edit] Proposed provinces and territories

Main article: Proposed provinces and territories of Canada

Since Confederation in 1867, there have been several proposals for new Canadian provinces and territories. The Constitution of Canada requires an amendment for the creation of a new province[43] but the creation of a new territory requires only an act of Parliament;[44] therefore, it is easier legislatively to create a territory than a province.

[edit] See also

Portal icon History of Canada portal
Portal icon New France portal
Portal icon Acadia portal
Book icon Book: Canada
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.


[edit] References

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  2. ^ "Culture Areas Index". the Canadian Museum of Civilization. http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/tresors/ethno/etb0170e.shtml. Retrieved 2010-11-09. 
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  17. ^ Pálsson, Hermann (1965). The Vinland sagas: the Norse discovery of America. Penguin Classics. p. 28. ISBN 0140441549. http://books.google.ca/books?id=m-4rb_GhQ5EC&lpg=PP1&dq=The%20Vinland%20sagas%3A%20the%20Norse%20discovery%20of%20America&pg=PA28#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-04-15. 
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  20. ^ Murrin, John M; Johnson, Paul E; McPherson, James M; Gerstle, Gary (2008). Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Compact. Thomson Wadsworth. p. 6. ISBN 9780495411017. http://books.google.ca/books?id=4aNIeXqWz9YC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=1014:+The+first+European+colony+in+North+America+is+established+at+L%27Anse+aux+Meadows#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 
  21. ^ Prowse D. W. (Daniel Woodley) (2009). The Discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot in 1497. BiblioLife. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-113-54841-2. 
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  24. ^ a b c d Riendeau, Roger E (2007). A brief history of Canada. Facts on File, cop. p. 36. ISBN 9780816063352. http://books.google.ca/books?id=CFWy0EfzlX0C&lpg=PA36&dq=In%201600%2C%20a%20trading%20post%20was%20established%20at%20%5B%5BTadoussac%2C%20Quebec%7CTadoussac%5D%5D%2C%20but%20only%20five%20settlers%20survived%20the%20winter.&pg=PA36#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  25. ^ a b c d "Territorial Evolution of Canada, 1667 to 1873". Natural Resources Canada. 2010. http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/auth/english/maps/archives/4thedition/historical/083_84. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  26. ^ Barman, Jean (1996). The West beyond the West: a history of British Columbia. University of Toronto Press. pp. 22–26. ISBN 0802071856. http://books.google.ca/books?id=_X_aK5pD5kgC&lpg=PA20&dq=Juan%20Jos%C3%A9%20P%C3%A9rez%20Hern%C3%A1ndez%20in%201774%20and%201775&pg=PA20#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  27. ^ Rodríguez Sala, María Luisa (2006) (in Spanish). De San Blas Hasta la Alta California: Los Viajes y Diarios de Juan Joseph Pérez Hernández. Universidad Autónoma de México. p. 35. ISBN 9789703234745. http://books.google.com/books?id=zcjBYIPI9J8C. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  28. ^ Vining, John Eric (2009). The trans-Appalachian wars, 1790–1818 : pathways to America's first empire. Trafford Pub. p. 143. ISBN 1426923414. http://books.google.ca/books?id=BtETowREbMAC&pg=PA143&dq=Fort+San+Miguel#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-11-11. 
  29. ^ Miller, Alekseĭ I; Rieber, Alfred J (2004). Imperial rule. Central European University Press. pp. 161–164. ISBN 963924192X. http://books.google.ca/books?id=_8niIYSTqToC&pg=PA161&dq=Russian+American+Company+1799#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  30. ^ "British North America circa 1823". Natural Resources Canada. http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/historical/preconfederation/britishnorthamerica1823/2. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  31. ^ Greenhow, Robert (1884). Memoir, historical and political, on the northwest coast of North America. United States. Dept. of State, United States. Congress. Senate. p. 189. ISBN 1104207281. http://books.google.ca/books?id=r5ISAAAAYAAJ&dq=Memoir%2C%20historical%20and%20political%2C%20on%20the%20northwest%20coast%20of%20North%20America%20.&pg=PA189#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  32. ^ "The Plans for Russian Expansion in the New World and the North Pacific in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries". The European Association for American Studies. 2010. p. s-20. http://ejas.revues.org/7805. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  33. ^ Waldman, Carl (2009). Atlas of the North American Indian. Facts on File. p. 234. ISBN 9780816068586. http://books.google.ca/books?id=P2HKD9PgC6wC&lpg=PA234&dq=administrative%20Districts%20of%20the%20Northwest%20Territories&pg=PA234#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-11-18. 
  34. ^ a b D.M.L. FARR (2009). "Alaska Boundary Dispute". The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000107. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
  35. ^ Haglund, David G; Onea, Tudor (March 2008, Vol. 19 Issue 1). Victory without Triumph: Theodore Roosevelt, Honour, and the Alaska Panhandle Boundary Dispute. Diplomacy and Statecraft. pp. 20–41. doi:10.1080/09592290801913692. 
  36. ^ Mills, William James (2003). Exploring Polar frontiers: A – L., Volume 1. Oxford ABC-Clio. p. 129. ISBN 1576074226. http://books.google.ca/books?id=PYdBH4dOOM4C&lpg=PA129&dq=Otto%20Sverdrup%20and%20the%20Sverdrup%20Islands&pg=PA129#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  37. ^ Berton, Pierre (1988). The Arctic Grail: The Quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole. Random House of Canada. p. 629. http://books.google.ca/books?id=dSZNbf6z5jcC&lpg=PP1&dq=The%20Arctic%20Grail%3A%20The%20Quest%20for%20the%20North%20West%20Passage%20and%20the%20North%20Pole&pg=PA629#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  38. ^ a b Guo, Rongxing (2006). Territorial disputes and resource management: a global handbook. Nova Science Pub Inc. p. 134. ISBN 9781600214455. http://books.google.ca/books?id=z5Le627xQLgC&lpg=PA134&dq=Hans%20Island&pg=PA134#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  39. ^ "Arctic Sovereignty Policy Review". Carleton University School of Journalism & Communication. 2011. http://www4.carleton.ca/cifp/app/serve.php/1355.pdf. Retrieved 2012-01-01. 
  40. ^ "Canadian Jurisdiction – Transport Publication TP14202E". Transport Canada. 2009 Sections 1–9. http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety%5CTP%5CTP14202%5Cinterpretation.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  41. ^ Carnaghan, Matthew; Goody, Allison (2006). "Canadian Arctic Sovereignty". Library of Parliament (Political and Social Affairs Division). http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/lop/researchpublications/prb0561-e.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-11. 
  42. ^ McRae, Donald Malcolm; Munro, Gordon Ross. Canadian oceans policy: national strategies and the new law of the sea. University of British Columbia Press. p. 50. ISBN 0774803398. http://books.google.ca/books?id=IFVH8zKQAzkC&lpg=PA50&dq=areas%20disputed%20by%20Canada%20and%20the%20United%20States&pg=PA50#v=onepage&q&f=true. Retrieved 2010-11-14. 
  43. ^ "Amendment by general procedure". Constitution Act, 1982. Department of Justice, Government of Canada. http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/9.html#anchorsc:7-bo-ga:l_V-se:42. Retrieved 17 March 2010. "An amendment to the Constitution of Canada in relation to the following matters may be made only in accordance with subsection 38(1)...notwithstanding any other law or practice, the establishment of new provinces." 
  44. ^ Norman L. Nicholson (1979). The boundaries of the Canadian Confederation. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. pp. 174–175. ISBN 978-0-7705-1742-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=Ek7cloNk3E8C&pg=PA174. 

[edit] Further reading

Main article: Bibliography of Canada

[edit] External links

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