History

Canada is a relatively young nation with a historiography of less than 500 years. The native inhabitants of Canada are Indians and Inuit who came from Asia over 30,000 years ago crossing an isthmus that connected Siberia with Alaska. The first contact between the native inhabitants and the Europeans was 1000 years ago when the Vikings from Iceland settled in Newfoundland for a short period. The actual exploration of Canada by the Europeans did not happened till 600 years later.
Looking for a better way to the rich trading markets of the Far East, the French and English explorers crossed the north American continent on the waterways and put up a number of forts – the French mainly on the Saint Lawrence river in the region of the Great Lakes and on the Mississippi, the English on the Hudson Bay and on the Atlantic coast (today’s New England). It was inevitably that North America became the hot spot of the rivalry between England and France.
Especially in the west the number of immigrants increased continually and reached a peak of 400,000 in 1913. During this time Canada benefited from the favorable global economic and evolved into an industrial and agrarian power. After the downfall of the British global power, Canada won practically the full constitutional independence from Britain.
The worldwide economic crisis had devastating effects in Canada just like elsewhere. Paradoxically it was the boom of the arm industry during the Second World War that helped Canada to recover from the crisis. At the end of war Canada had evolved into the fourth biggest industrial power and the growth continued. Canada owes its current high living standard and its excellent quality of living to this economic boom.
The immigration to Canada has changed significantly. Before the Second World War the most immigrants came from Britain or East European countries. Since the end of war the rising number of immigrants from southern European countries, Asia, South America and the Caribbean enriched the multicultural life of Canada.
In the last 30 years Canada had to deal with the basic question of its nationhood. The discontent of many French Canadians in Québec led to the referendum on the question of a higher political independence of this province in 1980. However, the majority decided to keep the current state.
Canada is characterized by its willingness to compromise. Founded by two countries known as historical opponents, Canada is enriched by the different cultures and languages of all the immigrants. The spirit of moderation and tolerance are distinctive features of Canada. Unity in diversity is the Canadian ideal.