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A Brief History of Canada: How the Clash of French, British and Native Empires Forged a Unique Identity
In this one hour read, discover the battles, challenges, and fight for liberty that forged Canada—a country that has existed for over 14,000 years and has become a beacon of independence and human rights.The Canadian author and satirist, Will Ferguson, once said that “The great themes of Canadian history are as Keeping the Americans out, keeping the French in, and trying to get the Natives to somehow disappear.”
The reality of Canadian history is far more intricate and fascinating. Despite its might, the British Empire was unable to silence the voices of the tenacious First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and French Canadians, all of whom retained their unique sense of identity.
The bravery of Canada’s people gave rise to a blended nation that maintains its influences, legacies, and scars.
You may wonder why their toils, trials, and tribulations should matter to you today.
Knowing history enables you to understand where others are coming from. It empowers you to realize that different people see their histories differently.
Immersing yourself in Canadian history will also enable you to challenge “bad history” and fake news—two blights people are often exposed to in their daily dealings with others on social media.
A Brief History of Canada seeks to provide you with key historical facts, so you can confidently speak about Canadian history and ask Canadians pertinent questions, taking into account their unique perspectives and experiences.
Within its pages you will
How the First Nations, the Inuit, and the Métis arrived in Canada, and how they lived, organized their political and social structure, and endured great pain and suffering at the hands of their white contemporaries.The arrival of the earliest Europeans in the 11th century, and the Norse occupation of parts of Newfoundland and Greenland.The powerful coalition founded by the Onondaga, Kanienkehaka (Mohawk), Cayuga, Oneida, and Seneca, who embraced the Great Law of Peace and whose democratic and constitutional ideas impacted the formation of the US and Canadian governments.The role played by John Cabot, an Italian sailing under the commission of the English King Henry VII, in claiming Canadian land for England after making landfall in Canada in 1497.Canada’s first French arrival—Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the St. Lawrence River and began claiming land for the King of France.The battle between France and England to claim one of Canada’s most valuable fur.The Treaty of Paris in 1763, which saw the British take the entirety of Canada.How the British established the Constitutional Act of 1791, dividing Canada into two to pacify both Anglo and French Canadians.Why The War of 1812 was called “the war that nobody won.”The drafting of a Canadian Constitution on July 1, 1864, and its emergence as a self-sufficient dominion that continued to be under British control.The statute of Westminster and Canada’s achievement of full autonomy in 1931.Canada’s involvement in WWII and the devastating racism faced by Japanese Canadians.
The reality of Canadian history is far more intricate and fascinating. Despite its might, the British Empire was unable to silence the voices of the tenacious First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and French Canadians, all of whom retained their unique sense of identity.
The bravery of Canada’s people gave rise to a blended nation that maintains its influences, legacies, and scars.
You may wonder why their toils, trials, and tribulations should matter to you today.
Knowing history enables you to understand where others are coming from. It empowers you to realize that different people see their histories differently.
Immersing yourself in Canadian history will also enable you to challenge “bad history” and fake news—two blights people are often exposed to in their daily dealings with others on social media.
A Brief History of Canada seeks to provide you with key historical facts, so you can confidently speak about Canadian history and ask Canadians pertinent questions, taking into account their unique perspectives and experiences.
Within its pages you will
How the First Nations, the Inuit, and the Métis arrived in Canada, and how they lived, organized their political and social structure, and endured great pain and suffering at the hands of their white contemporaries.The arrival of the earliest Europeans in the 11th century, and the Norse occupation of parts of Newfoundland and Greenland.The powerful coalition founded by the Onondaga, Kanienkehaka (Mohawk), Cayuga, Oneida, and Seneca, who embraced the Great Law of Peace and whose democratic and constitutional ideas impacted the formation of the US and Canadian governments.The role played by John Cabot, an Italian sailing under the commission of the English King Henry VII, in claiming Canadian land for England after making landfall in Canada in 1497.Canada’s first French arrival—Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the St. Lawrence River and began claiming land for the King of France.The battle between France and England to claim one of Canada’s most valuable fur.The Treaty of Paris in 1763, which saw the British take the entirety of Canada.How the British established the Constitutional Act of 1791, dividing Canada into two to pacify both Anglo and French Canadians.Why The War of 1812 was called “the war that nobody won.”The drafting of a Canadian Constitution on July 1, 1864, and its emergence as a self-sufficient dominion that continued to be under British control.The statute of Westminster and Canada’s achievement of full autonomy in 1931.Canada’s involvement in WWII and the devastating racism faced by Japanese Canadians.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2021
15 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 9, 2025
When they say 'brief' they mean brief. From the first Canadians that might have transversed the Beringia (now beneath the Bering Strait circa 12,000 BCE to 1000 CE, there is no definitive confirmed theory that that is the only pathway for the American inhabitants arrived. There is still the the Solutrean which has them come across icepack from Europe as well as the trans-oceanic passage similar to the Polynesian wayfaring. There are considered three different indigenous people - the First Nations, the Inuit and the Metis.
Then the Norse arrived in eastern Canada in approximately 1000 CE which did not seem to have a working relationship with the First Nations before they abandoned all their settlements on this side of the Atlantic.
Touched on the great Iroquois Confederation or the Haudenosaunee which formed as early as 1140 or as late as 1500 which was a political force that impacted European interaction on the eastern edges of the continent.
Then the European explorers - originally looking for the Indies but decided that there was enough land and spoils for them to exploit in the Americas - Columbus, Cabot, Cartier and Portuguese in Newfoundland and Labrador. Then the Europeans stated squabbling - some can call them wars. France lost Arcadia (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and what was called Rupert's Land which surrounded the Hudson Bay) and many of the residents eventually fled for Louisiana or the modern Cajuns.
Canada had no interest in becoming part of their southern neighbor - especially while watching them being deeply involved in their Civil War but Canada did open its doors to fleeing slaves. But it did want some form of separation from England - who was invested in their India territories so - eventually - Canada became a Commonwealth in 1931. But there is still tension to this day as Quebec separatists have a cautious relationship between French Canada and the balance of the nation.
A lot of bits barely touched on - which leaves lots of topics open for further investigation if the reader if so interested.
2025-044
Then the Norse arrived in eastern Canada in approximately 1000 CE which did not seem to have a working relationship with the First Nations before they abandoned all their settlements on this side of the Atlantic.
Touched on the great Iroquois Confederation or the Haudenosaunee which formed as early as 1140 or as late as 1500 which was a political force that impacted European interaction on the eastern edges of the continent.
Then the European explorers - originally looking for the Indies but decided that there was enough land and spoils for them to exploit in the Americas - Columbus, Cabot, Cartier and Portuguese in Newfoundland and Labrador. Then the Europeans stated squabbling - some can call them wars. France lost Arcadia (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and what was called Rupert's Land which surrounded the Hudson Bay) and many of the residents eventually fled for Louisiana or the modern Cajuns.
Canada had no interest in becoming part of their southern neighbor - especially while watching them being deeply involved in their Civil War but Canada did open its doors to fleeing slaves. But it did want some form of separation from England - who was invested in their India territories so - eventually - Canada became a Commonwealth in 1931. But there is still tension to this day as Quebec separatists have a cautious relationship between French Canada and the balance of the nation.
A lot of bits barely touched on - which leaves lots of topics open for further investigation if the reader if so interested.
2025-044
April 27, 2025
As advertised this one hour read felt like a wikipedia summary rather than the work of a historian. Giving it 2 stars to give justice to the ease of read but nothing really of great value. Maybe my expectations were too high as I was a bit mislead by the title that reminded me of the great book and work of Yuval Harari titled “A brief history of humankind”
October 15, 2024
After the ‘very short introduction’ to Canada I was hoping for some more background digging kind of narrative; this was more something like a curated Wikipedia page history; all useful information but don’t expect a dissection of the spirit of the nation or any grand overarching themes.
August 26, 2025
This is a very short book that provides a thumbnail history of the country. It’s not very insightful and I gained little knowledge from the reading.
January 26, 2023
An interesting and informative read of History!
Dominic Haynes did a great job of packing a lot of information into this short history lesson. It flows really well and relates to what was simultaneously going on in other parts of the world, bringing much that happened in Canada’s evolution into a global perspective. The references to the indigenous tribes and their interplay with the British, French and American colonists was also really interesting. A history of Canada in an easily digestible and educational format!
Dominic Haynes did a great job of packing a lot of information into this short history lesson. It flows really well and relates to what was simultaneously going on in other parts of the world, bringing much that happened in Canada’s evolution into a global perspective. The references to the indigenous tribes and their interplay with the British, French and American colonists was also really interesting. A history of Canada in an easily digestible and educational format!
February 21, 2023
A fairly engaging history lesson
The book reads like a cliffs notes of Canadian history. Given the brevity it’s hard to spend too much time on any particular time period so the book’s strength of being a “brief history” is also its flaw for anyone interested in more details of the events. Overall, it is very well written and a solid primer for Canadian history.
The book reads like a cliffs notes of Canadian history. Given the brevity it’s hard to spend too much time on any particular time period so the book’s strength of being a “brief history” is also its flaw for anyone interested in more details of the events. Overall, it is very well written and a solid primer for Canadian history.
May 30, 2023
A good overview
Nice, brief, outline of Canada’s history. A good start while learning about Canada. Unsure if more is available about indigenous population and precolonial time. As this would be nice to even out the overview.
Nice, brief, outline of Canada’s history. A good start while learning about Canada. Unsure if more is available about indigenous population and precolonial time. As this would be nice to even out the overview.
April 12, 2022
Very brief history of Canada but I feel like this is a must read book if you're looking to dive deeper into the delves of Canadian history.
March 12, 2023
Excellent, albeit brief history of Canada. It was as enjoyable as it was edifying. It makes me want to delve deeper.
October 26, 2024
A good introduction to Canadian history
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews