Vikings, British & French.... what do they have to do with Canada?
The Vikings were the first people after the natives to realize what was offered in Canada. However, they didn’t take the initiative to establish a new culture there. They were content to take what they wanted from the Native Americans. They lead a nomadic life so that they could continue their destruction and taking. There is some evidence to indicate they may have stayed for long periods of time in Canada though in the area known as L’Anse aux Meadows.
The expeditions of Columbus brought attention about what Canada had to offer though. In 1497 John Cabot who operated a ship for the English found the area we know today as Newfoundland. This was the first claim that England made in North America. This was the first of many who would follow.
In 1534 A French explorer by the name of Jacques Cartier began the first of many expeditions to the area along the St. Lawrence River. He spent a great deal of time deciding if it was possible to make a permanent establishment in the area. In 1541 he set out to do just that. The attempt wasn’t a success though and after a few months in Canada the people returned to their native homeland.
The French did have some short lived success. They initially established small colonies to help them with the fur trade along the area known as Arcadia. Eventually Quebec became the fur trading hot spot. Further attempts to establish colonies there by the English in the 17th Century were not successful either. Still, the French did not give up and by 1763 they had about 60,000 settlers in the area.
Due to various battles that took place between the French and Great Britain in the area of Canada, more people were brought to the area than ever before. Some of the battles wages on for years. During that time many people did permanently settle in Canada. Routes were developed to bring in a variety of supplies as well as for the fur trade. Canada was no longer an isolated area.
All of these early events though have had a profound effect on the forming of Canada. From the countries who have ruled it to the people who have lived there, the early influences of them have shaped the culture of it in the past and today. Many of these early events are still found to influence the current culture found around Canada.
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