Lesson 6 — Activity 2: Britain Takes Control
Completion requirements
Lesson 6 — Activity 2: Britain Takes Control
Warm Up
For many decades, Britain was at war with France in both Europe and North America over land and possessions.
In this activity, you will learn that Britain gained control of Canada as a result of these wars with France.
This treaty was signed in 1713 and brought to an end the War of Spanish Succession between England and France. In this treaty, France was driven from the Spanish Netherlands and Italy, and the crowns of Spain and France would not be united. France wanted this treaty because it needed time to regroup and reformulate it's strategy. The English were also exhausted from this latest war and took advantage of the opportunity to secure the most advantageous terms possible. Some of the best terms for Britain were given in North America.
In 1713, Treaty of Utrecht awarded Newfoundland and part of Nova Scotia (Acadia) to Britain. France was given another part of Nova Scotia (Cape Breton Island and Louisbourg), Prince Edward Island, and part of New Brunswick.
This treaty was signed in 1713 and brought to an end the War of Spanish Succession between England and France. In this treaty, France was driven from the Spanish Netherlands and Italy, and the crowns of Spain and France would not be united. France wanted this treaty because it needed time to regroup and reformulate it's strategy. The English were also exhausted from this latest war and took advantage of the opportunity to secure the most advantageous terms possible. Some of the best terms for Britain were given in North America.
The final conflict between Britain and France was the Seven Years War fought from 1756 until 1763. This war was significant because the two great powers fought on land and sea in several parts of the world. They invested huge amounts of money, material, and men in this conflict, and both nations were exhausted from the war.
Britain eventually won and took over all the disputed and French territories in North America.
The lands that Britain now owned included all the area known as Canada. Far more French than British settlers lived in Canada at that time. Also at that time, Britain's main interest in Canada was the fur trade through the Hudson Bay Company. The British had no desire to establish farming communities in Canada because its settlers were already in what later became the United States of America.
