As an American, I grew up learning plenty in school about American Indians and their interactions with the US government, all of that. I also learned about Mesoamericans cultures (Mayans, Aztecs, etc). I don't know anything about Canadian natives, and how they were affected by the arrival and settlement of Europeans. How did that generally go over? Was it similar to the history of American natives?

How did the identity of "Canada" develop? Are there significant differences in how the anglo-Canadian identity developed, versus franco-Canadian, and the eventual idea of "Canada"?

For example, Newfoundland was its own Dominion, joining Canada's confederation only after WW1.

In the US it is often said that the identity of "USA" took a long time to develop to be the way it is perceived today, and even so there is still disagreement in how the states and the federal government should interact with each other. And through history we have landmark events such as Shays' Rebellion (and the underlying Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist argument), the War of 1812, the US Civil War, etc., each of which fundamentally altered the country.

Thanks in advance!

Historica has dozens of 60 second mini-documentaries that got huge television airtime from the early 90s onward. I'm sure, for better or for worse, that most people under 30 know most of their Canadian history from them. I'm curious what your thoughts are on them with respect to their historicity? I know some can be a little more whitewashed or oversimplified than others, but I think a lot of that has to do with the medium and format chosen. That said, is it a net benefit if people know a story, even if it isn't entirely accurate?

Thank you all for taking time to answer questions. My main interest is Canadian legal history, specifically surrounding the creation of the Constitution Act 1867.

Eastern Canada is dominated by "Peace and Friendship" treaties with the various First Nations bands. It is my understanding that there are two sets of treaties, one which conferred many benefits (such as hunting and fishing rights) and were more or less a bribe to keep the First Nations neutral with the impending conflict with the French in the late 1700s. And others which are more, punitive in nature. The second set being created post-British victory in North America.

I was wondering what factors were present which caused the First Nations to break the treaties and fight along-side the French?

My maternal grandfather was a vet of WW2, and was a POW under the Japanese. He never talked about his experiences much. My question: In what ways did the experience of the Canadian soldier vary in the Pacific front, compared to the European?

My family is taking a vacation to Quebec in a few weeks. We're going to Quebec City, and St Anne de Beaupre (so far that I know of) Any recommended places to visit or stories for a history lover? (and Canada lover)

My dad and I also might go camping although we don't yet know where.

edit

thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

Hi! I'm from Manitoba, so I've got a Louis Riel question for you.

How true were the accounts of Louis Riel praying in the middle of battle? Why did he become such a religious convert after the failure of the Red River Rebellion? Did Louis Riel regret killing Thomas Scott, and why Thomas Specifically? Is is true that Thomas Scott was a member of the orange order, and finally: Why did John A Macdonald decide to hang Louis Riel.

Thanks!

/u/WhiteRastaJ,

One of my favorite singers is Stan Rogers, who writs some great music. There are a few songs I'm curious about the historical origin of:

Bluenose--why is this ship so famous and important? Barretts Privateers--Who were they? The Flowers of Bermuda--is this based on a real event?

I grew up in New Brunswick and was taught in school that the Canadian confederation, and later the Westminster Statute and Canada act, came about because Canadians wanted their own government and independance, separate from British rule. I've had people lately tell me that it was actually the UK who wanted to distance themselves from Canada, which seems to contradict what I remember being taught. Is there truth to this? What were the Canadian and British attitudes towards each other regarding those three acts?

Is there any real reason why western Canada has a larger Native population than Eastern and central Canada?

As an aspiring historian in Australia I am not familiar with Canadian history, although recently I have been intrigued by Front de libération du Québec. Was this a significant part of contemporary Canadian history? Can you recommend some further reading?

When did what is now Canada begin to be seen as distinct from what is now the US? For example, when alleged smugglers from Boston were tried in vice admiralty courts in Halifax, did they see Boston and Halifax as being any more foreign to each other than Boston and New York were?

Did Canada have any artistic movements centered around independence or nationalist ideas pre-independence? Particularly around the Great War period if I can be so picky but I'll take anything. If so, where were these movements localized?

Why has 1867 come to be seen as the date of creation of Canada, almost to the point where pre-1867 history has been ignored? The Province of Canada, created after the rebellions in 1841, seem to have more characteristic aspects of Canada (name, two-house parliamentary system, governor general; and eventually, bilingualism, responsible government, Ottawa as capital, and the original Centre Block itself) than the relatively minor adjustments that 1867 brought (the addition of two other colonies and return of legislatures to Upper/Lower Canada; and additions of colonies have been continuing until 1949).

I'm sorry, but I need to nitpick a bit here.

The initial text is a bit misleading, regarding Prince Edward Island; it didn't actually join Confederation until 1873, though the sentence regarding it being the only one to join on July 1st implies that it did so on July 1st, 1867.

What's more, while the first British North America Act received royal assent on March 29th, 1867, it set the formation of the Dominion of Canada for July 1st; in effect, that means the first four provinces official joined together as the country on July 1st.

Finally, while "Canada Day" has been the name of the celebration since 1982, there was the celebration of "Dominion Day" prior to that, though on a smaller scale. Still, there was a concerted effort in 1958 to expand its celebration.

As for a question, I'll direct this one to /u/WhiteRastaJ; do you have any information on humourous, lesser known stories related to Fort Beauséjour and Fort Amherst? One I remember hearing was about the British trying to take Beauséjour by sending troops via ship, only to be foiled by the Bay of Fundy's tides; essentially, Beauséjour's soldiers walked up and made them surrender at low tide. Do you know of any truth to this, and any other interesting stories?

Can anyone explain to me what is the historical significance of the Black Donnelly's ?

During the Cold War, how was Canada perceived/thought of by

1. the US and its allies?
2. the Soviet Union and its allies?
3. the neutral nations?

Were the Fenian Raids instrumental in driving Canada to create a better military force to protect against incursion?

How did the British supplement the French population so quickly after the 7 years war?

The French had been in Canada for well over a century by the war's end, but it the British seemed very successful at making Canada a British colony with a British identity rather quickly. I know about the expulsion of the Acadians, and what not, but how else did the British manage to take Canada? Why didn't the native French resist?

Hi, my mother has a question although it may not be in any of your areas of expertise. She and my father both left the US during the Vietnam War, and she recently heard from someone that more women left the US than men during that period - is there any truth to that?

Was there any specific event that changed the direction of Canada for Canadians in the first 25 years following John Cabot?

I took a course on Canadian history post-confederation and I recall (though I could be wrong, my mind's a bit fuzzy) learning that well up into the 1960s the Quebecois still saw themselves mainly as a rural people, especially when compared to other provinces, especially Ontario. Again, not sure if I'm correct on that but I suppose my question then would be how and when, if at all, did industrialization factor into the way that the Quebecois people saw themselves and the space around them?

Congratulations and best wishes to Canucks everywhere.

The Black Donnellys is quite a story in it's own right. Did anti Irish and/or sectarian culture cross the Atlantic to Canada and if so how extensive was it.

How come Newfoundland didn't join Canada until 1949 ?

If one of you have read or skimmed some/one of these books, I'm looking for a good source on traditional First Nations clothing. I'm hoping to find something a little more in-depth than a coffee table style book, and these have mixed reviews on amazon.

Encyclopedia Of American Indian Costume

Traditional Dress: Knowledge and Methods of Old-Time Clothing

Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History

Or maybe some other better source/info? I have managed to find some good sources on coast Salish weaving, since it's had a fairly recent and successful revival, but info on everyday clothing would be even better.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

I hope it's not too late, but a simple question: How is Pierre Berton regarded? I'm reading the War of 1812, enjoying it, but I'm getting a very strong pop history vibe which makes me suspicious.

Is he a good source of information?

One thing I often hear is that Canadians struggle with a national identity and defining that makes them 'Canadian'. Is this a function of not having a revolution against the UK, or more being close to the United States?

What's the story on the white cap dakotans coming to Saskatchewan?

What happened to Black Americans who escaped to Canada through the Underground Railroad?

Is Confederation the only significant change in 1867/mid-1860s in Canada or in a specific province?

That is, often one important shift in a year or period is linked to a different shift, such as political and cultural or economic and social.

Hopefully each of you can answer in your own way.

I've heard it said that in the 1820s Canada was the drunkest place in the world. Can this claim be substantiated?

Why is lacrosse so unpopular compared to hockey?

Why is dundas street so imp in Toronto?

Seriously though: do you see the separation movement ever gaining the traction it gained circa 1995?

I heard that the Inuit in Canada practiced gendercide on a routine basis. I heard that a female infanticide rate of 66 percent was reported by explorers in the 1930's.

How valid are these claims?