UNIT REFLECTION: EUROPEAN COLONIZATION OF

NORTH AMERICA
IN THIS UNIT WE COVERED THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

Why the Europeans crossed the Atlantic in The European Explorers

the first place Trying to grow the colony
The first attempts at colonization Making the colony stronger and more secure
The economy of New France The Society of New France
Justifications of Colonization (English Factors Behind Imperialism (Colonialism and
settlement in the USA) Slavery)
Imperialism and Conflict The Battle for North America

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY:

1. What is imperialism and what is its connection to colonization?

Imperialism is extending power and influence of a country through diplomacy or a military force.
It is related to colonization because they both assist the home country with making profits.

2. The Europeans discovered an inhabited continent, why did they believe they had the right to claim
that land? In your opinion, did they have that right? Explain your thinking.
They were the first ones to discover it, and they had thought that they should expand their land
and their empire so they could have more power. If the land was uninhabited for sure, then they
should have the right to take the land. If there were people on the land, they the Europeans had
no right to take the land.
3. French influence in Canada ended at the conclusion of the Seven Years War. What lasting impact
has that war had on the development of Canada?
The French had owned quite a bit of land that we have today because of the Seven Years War.
When the British won, the French had given them practically all their land they owned in North
America. The Treaty of Paris was what ended the Seven Years War.

4. If we were to put the Europeans on trial for their actions during the European Age of Imperialism,
what would the result of that trial be? Explain your thinking.

The result would be that the discrimination against the First Nations would stop. This would
make trading furs happen with farming, and the Europeans would possibly learn more about the
First Nations culture and learn other knowledge from them. The Europeans could choose to not
believe what the First Nations said or they could believe them and possibly advance further in
technology.

5. We have established that the past Canadian governments, in their official capacity, discriminated
against the First Nations in Canada. What do you think todays Government of Canada can do to
help rectify the past wrongs?

The government in the past had done terrible things towards the First Nations, meaning the
government should repay it the best way possible. Since they almost destroyed their culture, the
best they could do is teach people about their culture.