Minds On
Consequences of events
Historical significance is the process used to evaluate what was significant about selected events, people, and developments in the past. Historians use different sets of criteria to help them make judgements about significance. One of the criteria historians use is assessing the short- and long-term impacts and consequences of events.
In this learning activity, you will be exploring challenges and conflicts that occurred between diverse groups of people in Canada.
Predict what some of the short- and long-term consequences of these conflicts might be. What do you think qualifies as a short-term versus a long-term consequence?
Press Hint to access a possible answer.
Record a list of ideas orally, digitally, in print, or in a method of your choice.
Action
Introduction
Throughout the following learning activity, you will learn about a few significant conflicts that occurred between 1713 and 1800. These conflicts and challenges played a pivotal role in the formation of Canada as we know it today. Please note that Canada was referred to as British North America during this time period.
The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)
In 1754 the British and French in Canada had rising tensions. The British had been planning prolonged attacks on the French, and as the French learned of these attacks, they were sending military to different forts across Canada. At the same time in Europe, Prussia (a major state of Germany) and Austria also had rising tensions. The British sent troops to Prussia and the French allied with Austria.
In 1756, the commander of the French, Marquis de Montcalm, arrived in New France and captured Fort Oswego, which gave him control of the Great Lakes. A month later, the British declared war on the French. While the British continued to send thousands of troops into New France, the French did not. Therefore, the French victories began to slowly decline. Throughout this time, Indigenous communities became allies with the French to bring down British forces.
In 1758, the tides turned, and the French were no longer victorious. Britain launched attacks on French posts, specifically Fort Louisbourg and Fort Frontenac (modern-day Kingston, Ontario), which forced the French to abandon post and opened the St. Lawrence River to British ships. Indigenous communities started to sign peace treaties with the British. In 1759, the British, led by Major James Wolfe, attacked Quebec on the Plains of Abraham. Strong British naval presence in the St. Lawrence River cut off the city at Montreal and forced the French army to fight. In this battle, the British commander (Wolfe) and French commander (Montcalm) both died early. Eventually the French retreated and signed over the city to the British.
Student Tips
Compare and contrast
Examine the following maps. What differences do you notice between the map showing North America before 1754 (before Seven Years’ War) and after? Compare the area occupied by the English on both maps. What has changed?
Two maps of North America. There is a legend showing colours that represent the presence of English, French, Spanish, and Russian people as well as land these communities had not explored yet.
The first map showing North America. It is titled, ‘North America Before 1754.’ . In the area that is now known as Canada, the English communities are along the eastern coastline, and along the coastline of Hudson’s Bay. The French communities are in Newfoundland, and along the St. Lawrence River, stretching inland through what is now Quebec, Ontario, some of the Prairies, and also in the central inland areas of the United States. The Spanish communities are in the southern and western United States and stretching down through Mexico to South America.
The second map showing North America. It is titled, ‘North America After 1763.’ The English communities cover most of what is now known as Canada, both along the coastline and inland. The English communities also stretch south into the United States, and have a small community in part of Mexico. The French communities are based in a few islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish are also based in several Atlantic islands. The Spanish communities cover most of the United States, especially in the west. The Spanish also cover Mexico and the visible part of South America.
Although Britain gained a lot of control, they were in massive debt due to all of the money they used to create their military force. In 1769, New France (now Canada) was given to the British from the French. However, it was already impoverished by Britain. The size and location of New France made is almost impossible to defend and maintain. The Seven Years' War was a crucial turning point in Canadian history. It led to the American Revolution in 1775, which further influenced Canadian identity and boundaries. The war also changed the relationship between the British and Indigenous Peoples living in what would become Canada.
Complete the following graphic organizer called The Seven Years' War Perspectives, highlighting the perspective of each group involved in the Seven Years' War in Canada. You may wish to conduct additional research to help you complete each perspective.
As you fill out the graphic organizer called The Seven Years War Perspectives, please consider the following questions and record your answers using a method of your choosing:
- How do you think this group viewed the Seven Years’ War?
- How did this group become involved in the Seven Years’ War?
- What long-term impact did the Seven Years’ War have on this group?
- What were the positive or negative effects of the Seven Years’ War on this group?
Complete the Seven Years' War Perspectives in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
French perspective |
British perspective |
Indigenous perspective |
|---|---|---|
Press the Activity button to access The Seven Years War Perspectives.
Pontiac Resistance (1763)
At the end of the Seven Years’ War, conflict emerged between diverse First Nations communities and the British government. After the war, the French were forced to give up their land to the British. First Nations groups historically had positive relationships with French settlers prior to this, and they did not like the way the British government was trying to govern them. The British often used force against First Nations communities and did not respect their traditions or customs. For example, the British government restricted the First Nations' ability to trade, and they refused to provide arms to the First Nations, which negatively impacted their ability to hunt. These actions provoked distrust and hostility among First Nations communities, who worked together to resist the British from taking over their lands any further.
In May 1763, Chief Obwandiyag (Pontiac) of the Ottawa Nation led an attack on Fort Detroit, attempting to take it back from the British, who successfully defended it against the siege. Support for Pontiac increased among a variety of Indigenous Peoples, and the size of his force tripled. They continued to attack British settlements and military outposts.
They managed to capture 8 out of 11 British forts in the Ohio Valley. In July of 1766, Pontiac and the British government negotiated an end to the war. Pontiac’s acceptance of peace set his former allies against him and he was banished from his own village. A few years later, in 1769, Pontiac was assassinated. Pontiac’s War was seen as one of the most successful First Nations resistances to the European invasion in history. Though it failed to remove the British from First Nations lands, the conflict forced British authorities to recognize First Nations land rights. The recognition of First Nations land rights was then included in the Royal Proclamation and is the basis of First Nations land claims to this day.
Reflection
Please record your answers in a method of your choosing.
- What was the cause of the Pontiac Resistance in 1763?
- What short- and long-term consequences did this resistance have in Canada?
- How did the British and French differ in their relationship with First Nations communities?
18th century conflict inquiry
Press Inquiry to access the steps of the inquiry process.
Inquiry is a multi-step process used to formulate questions, gather, organize, and analyze information, evaluate, and draw conclusions, and communicate results.
The inquiry process
Gather and organize: Collect and organize relevant data, evidence, and/or information from primary and secondary sources and/or field studies.
Interpret and analyze: Analyze the data, evidence, and information, using different types of graphic organizers as appropriate.
Formulate questions: Formulate questions related to the applicable overall expectation in order to identify the focus of their inquiry.
Evaluate and draw conclusions: Synthesize data, evidence, and/or information, and make informed, critical judgements based on that data, evidence, and/or information.
Communicate: Communicate judgements, decisions, conclusions, predictions, and/or plans of action clearly and logically.
Apply the inquiry process
In this task, you will be investigating one of the conflicts that took place in Canada between 1713 and 1800. Follow the steps of the inquiry process (formulate questions, gather, organize, analyze information, evaluate, draw conclusions, communicate results) to help conduct your investigation. First, select one of the conflicts from the following list:
- American Revolution
- imperial rivalries
- expulsion of the Acadians
- Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Begin your research by exploring reputable news sites, virtual museums, government websites, national or provincial newspapers/news sites, or Indigenous news sites. Record your research notes and ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice. As you investigate, think about how the conflict you chose influenced the development of Canada as we know it today.
When you are finished researching, you will create a presentation that shares what you have learned. You may choose the format that best suits your topic and message. For example, you could create a slideshow, a blog, a website, an infographic, or a video.
As you complete this activity, use the following checklist to help guide and evaluate your presentation.
I have…
Consolidation
Consequences
Consider the conflicts that you explored today that affected Canada between 1713 and 1800. Explore each of the following statements and identify them as a short- or long-term consequence.
Student Tips
Short-term or long-term?
Short-term consequences would impact a community for days, weeks, and possibly months.
Long-term consequences would impact a community for years, decades, or even centuries.
Remember, a consequence is not always something negative that happens, but rather a result or effect of something.
Place the cards into categories that best match. Use the arrow buttons to navigate between cards.
Historical significance
Evaluate the historical significance of the Seven Years' War and Pontiac's War. How did the conflicts impact the diverse groups involved? How did these events impact the formation of Canada as we know it today? Please record your ideas in a method of your choice.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.