Canadian History

Question 1

choose

Who were the first inhabitants of Canada?
* A) The French
* B) The British
* C) The Vikings
* D) Aboriginal peoples

Answer 1

D) Aboriginal peoples

• Explanation: The Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, were the original inhabitants of Canada.

Question 2

choose

Who are the Métis?
* A) Aboriginal people who live in the Arctic
* B) People of mixed Aboriginal and European descent
* C) The original French settlers in Canada
* D) Immigrants from France and Britain

Answer 2

B) People of mixed Aboriginal and European descent

• Explanation: The Métis are a distinct group of people in Canada with mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, primarily French or Scottish.

Question 3

choose

What is the significance of Vimy Ridge to Canadians?
* A) It is a national park
* B) It represents a historic military victory during WWI
* C) It is the location of Canada’s Parliament
* D) It is the birthplace of the first Prime Minister

Answer 3

B) It represents a historic military victory during WWI

• Explanation: The Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 was a significant military victory for Canada during World War I and is seen as a defining moment in Canadian history.

Question 4

choose

Which Act started Canada on the path to Confederation?
* A) The Constitution Act, 1867
* B) The Quebec Act, 1774
* C) The British North America Act, 1867
* D) The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982

Answer 4

C) The British North America Act, 1867

• Explanation: The British North America Act, 1867, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867, laid the foundation for the confederation of Canada.

Question 5

choose

Who was Canada’s first Prime Minister?
* A) Sir George-Étienne Cartier
* B) Sir Wilfrid Laurier
* C) Sir John A. Macdonald
* D) Pierre Trudeau

Answer 5

C) Sir John A. Macdonald

• Explanation: Sir John A. Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891.

Question 6

choose

What does the Canadian Constitution recognize and affirm regarding Aboriginal peoples?
* A) Their right to self-governance
* B) Their historical significance in Canada’s history
* C) Their treaty rights and Aboriginal rights
* D) Their contribution to Canadian culture

Answer 6

C) Their treaty rights and Aboriginal rights

• Explanation: The Canadian Constitution recognizes and affirms the existing treaty rights and Aboriginal rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Question 7

choose

What does “peace, order, and good government” refer to in Canada?
* A) The responsibilities of the Prime Minister
* B) The goals of Canadian domestic policy
* C) The principles underlying the Canadian Constitution
* D) The duties of Canadian citizens

Answer 7

C) The principles underlying the Canadian Constitution

• Explanation: “Peace, order, and good government” is a phrase that reflects the principles underlying the Canadian Constitution and the operation of its government.

Question 8

choose

Who are the Acadians?
* A) French-speaking settlers who came to Canada in the 17th and 18th centuries
* B) British settlers in Nova Scotia
* C) Aboriginal people in Quebec
* D) Scottish immigrants in Ontario

Answer 8

A) French-speaking settlers who came to Canada in the 17th and 18th centuries

• Explanation: The Acadians are descendants of French settlers who came to the Maritime provinces in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Question 9

choose

Who are the First Nations?
* A) The original French settlers in Canada
* B) The first European explorers in Canada
* C) The indigenous peoples south of the Arctic
* D) The early British settlers in Canada

Answer 9

C) The indigenous peoples south of the Arctic

• Explanation: First Nations refer to the indigenous peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis, primarily living south of the Arctic region.

Question 10

choose

Which explorer is known for claiming Canada for France in 1534?
* A) Samuel de Champlain
* B) Jacques Cartier
* C) John Cabot
* D) Henry Hudson

Answer 10

B) Jacques Cartier

• Explanation: Jacques Cartier is credited with claiming what is now Canada for France in 1534.

Question 11

choose

What was the outcome of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759?
* A) A decisive British victory over the French
* B) A French victory over the British
* C) A stalemate between British and French forces
* D) An alliance formed between British and French forces

Answer 11

A) A decisive British victory over the French

• Explanation: The Battle of the Plains of Abraham resulted in a decisive British victory over the French, leading to British control over Canada.

Question 12

choose

What was the purpose of the Hudson’s Bay Company when it was founded in 1670?
* A) To establish British colonies
* B) To explore the Arctic region
* C) To trade fur and other goods
* D) To create military alliances with Aboriginal peoples

Answer 12

C) To trade fur and other goods

• Explanation: The Hudson’s Bay Company was established for the purpose of fur trading and other goods.

Question 13

choose

What was the significance of the Royal Proclamation of 1763?
* A) It recognized Aboriginal land rights
* B) It ended the Seven Years’ War
* C) It established the Dominion of Canada
* D) It granted Canada independence from Britain

Answer 13

A) It recognized Aboriginal land rights

• Explanation: The Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognized Aboriginal land rights and laid the groundwork for the treaty-making process.

Question 14

choose

What is the significance of the Statute of Westminster 1931 for Canada?
* A) It allowed Canada to join the United Nations
* B) It granted Canada full legislative independence from Britain
* C) It established the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
* D) It created the Canadian Pacific Railway

Answer 14

B) It granted Canada full legislative independence from Britain

• Explanation: The Statute of Westminster 1931 granted Canada full legislative independence from Britain, marking a significant step in its path to full sovereignty.

Question 15

choose

What was the Quiet Revolution in Quebec?
* A) A peaceful transition to independence
* B) A period of rapid social and economic change
* C) A series of protests against British rule
* D) The establishment of French as the official language

Answer 15

B) A period of rapid social and economic change

• Explanation: The Quiet Revolution was a period of intense socio-political and socio-cultural change in Quebec during the 1960s, characterized by the secularization of society and the creation of a welfare state.

Question 16

choose

Who was the first female member of Parliament in Canada?
* A) Agnes Macphail
* B) Kim Campbell
* C) Jeanne Sauvé
* D) Adrienne Clarkson

Answer 16

A) Agnes Macphail

• Explanation: Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons, serving from 1921 to 1940.

Question 17

choose

What is the significance of the 1980 and 1995 referendums in Quebec?
* A) They led to Quebec’s independence
* B) They were votes on Quebec’s sovereignty
* C) They established French as the sole official language of Canada
* D) They resulted in constitutional amendments

Answer 17

B) They were votes on Quebec’s sovereignty

• Explanation: The 1980 and 1995 referendums in Quebec were significant votes on whether Quebec should pursue sovereignty and become independent from Canada. Both referendums resulted in a “No” vote.

Question 18

choose

What was the purpose of the Indian Act of 1876?
* A) To assimilate Aboriginal peoples into Canadian society
* B) To grant Aboriginal peoples self-governance
* C) To establish reserves for Aboriginal peoples
* D) To provide healthcare to Aboriginal peoples

Answer 18

A) To assimilate Aboriginal peoples into Canadian society

• Explanation: The Indian Act of 1876 was designed to assimilate Aboriginal peoples into Canadian society, often through restrictive and paternalistic measures.

Question 19

choose

What was the significance of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864?
* A) It led to the creation of the Canadian Confederation
* B) It established the British North America Act
* C) It granted women the right to vote
* D) It ended the War of 1812

Answer 19

A) It led to the creation of the Canadian Confederation

• Explanation: The Charlottetown Conference of 1864 was a pivotal meeting that led to the creation of the Canadian Confederation.

Question 20

choose

Who was Louis Riel?
* A) A French explorer
* B) A leader of the Métis in the Red River and North-West Rebellions
* C) The first Prime Minister of Canada
* D) A British general in the War of 1812

Answer 20

B) A leader of the Métis in the Red River and North-West Rebellions

• Explanation: Louis Riel was a leader of the Métis people and played a key role in the Red River and North-West Rebellions against the Canadian government.