Chronology of Canadian Military History Canadian Military History, Colonial Period, New France, First Peoples, Seven Years War, French Indian War Canadian Military History, British North America, American Invasion, War of 1812, Dominion of Canada, Riel Rebellion, South African War Canadian Military History, World War 1 History, 1914-1918, Canadian Armed Forces, conscription Canadian Military History, World War 2, 1939-1945, Battle of the Atlantic, conscription, invasion, Dday, Normandy, Germany, axis, allies, Hong Kong, Dieppe 1946-today
Canada within the Empire
NAC/ANC C-18,737
British North America
The War of 1812: Invasion Repelled
The War of 1812: Canada Saved
Fortifying Canada
Rebellions in the Canadas
The Fenian Raids
Fenian Raids, Dominion of Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company
Confederation and Expansion
Creating a Standing Army
Developing the Canadian Nation
The Northwest Campaign
Canada and Imperialism
The South African War
Military Reform

CONFEDERATION AND EXPANSION

1867-1870

Several British North American colonies united and expanded to the west.

In 1867, alarmed by the Fenian raids and seeking mutual defence against the continuing American threat, the province of Canada, divided into Ontario and Quebec, joined New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the new Dominion of Canada, a self-governing British colony.

In 1869, Canada purchased enormous tracts of western land from the Hudson’s Bay Company and sent surveyors to Red River. To protect their cultural and land rights, the Métis (persons of mixed First Peoples and European ancestry) formed a provisional government. Led by Louis Riel, they opened negotiations with Ottawa and secured provincial status for Manitoba, but came into conflict with Ontario settlers seeking immediate annexation to Canada. British troops, supported by Canadian militia, undertook the gruelling Red River Expedition to establish Canadian control.


CONFEDERATION AND EXPANSION
NAC/ANC C- 2775


Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, Ontario
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