The Commonwealth countries: major dates Flashcards
15th-16th centuries
East India Companies start trading with India.
1534
Jacques Cartier establishes a French settlement near the St. Lawrence, in Canada. At the end of the century, the country is inhabited by Eskimos, Indians, and a few white settlers and traders.
1650-1700
South Africa is settled by the Dutch, the French Huguenots and the Germans.
17th century
Beginning of the French colonization in Canada, chiefly along the St. Lawrence River. Quebec and Montreal are established. But there is British colonization as well, with the Hudson Bay Company, trading in fish and fur, which leads to rivalry and conflict between the two companies.
1763
Treaty of Paris: France sells Quebec to British and British supremacy is declared over India.
1769
Cook reaches New Zealand and claims it for Britain. The land is inhabited by Maoris. British convicts are sent there.
1770
Cook reaches the east coast of Australia and takes possession of Sydney for Britain. The land is inhabited by Aboriginals.
1787
Britain starts using Australia as a penal colony.
19th century
Important voluntary immigration from Britain. Convicts stop being sent to Australia around 1840.
1840
Treaty of Waitangi: New Zealand becomes a British colony and the Mahori chiefs recognize the British sovereignty over the Island. Many conflicts with the Maoris.
1846
The boundary between the United States and Canada is established along the 49th parallel, all the way to the Pacific coast.
1867
British North America Act: the British colonies become a dominion. It consists of Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
1869
Britain cedes the Hudson’s Bay Company territories to Canada. They will form the remaining Canadian provinces.
1876
Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India.
1881
First Boer War in South Africa, won by the Boers (Dutch settlers).
1885
Nigeria becomes a British protectorate.
1899-1902
Second Boer War in South Africa, between Britain and the Afrikaners (descendants of the Dutch colonies), won by Britain.
1901
Australia becomes independent.
1907
New Zealand becomes a dominion.
1910
South Africa Act: the different states become the Union of South Africa, which enters the Commonwealth.
1919
Ghandi starts non-violent anti-British resistance in India. He advocates civil disobedience to gain independence.
1927
Canberra becomes the capital of Australia.
1931
Canada becomes a member of the Commonwealth.
1934
Creation of the National Party in South Africa, for the political domination of Afrikaners, who were in favour of separating the black and white communities.
1947
India gains independence. It is partitioned between India (mostly Hindus) and Pakistan (mostly muslims); New Zealand becomes independent within the Commonwealth.
1948
Ghandi is assassinated. Nehru becomes Prime Minister of India.
The National Party is elected in South Africa.
1951
The Gold Rush brings waves of immigrants to Australia.
1960
The Union of South Africa becomes a republic and leaves the Commonwealth. An apartheid policy is introduced. The white race is separed from the other races. Opposition parties, like the A.N.C. (African National Congress), are banned and their leaders imprisoned.
Nigeria gains its independence and remains in the Commonwealth.
1961
Riots against apartheid in the black township of Soweto, South Africa.
1967
The Aboriginal Australians are given full citizenship. Since WWII, there has been much immigration to Australia, especially from Southeast Asia. The Aboriginal people still live in great poverty.
