European Settlement in Canada

European settlement in Canada began in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, primarily with explorers and traders from countries like France and England. These settlers established colonies, trading posts, and missions, often displacing or impacting Indigenous populations. European settlement led to significant cultural, political, and economic changes, shaping Canada’s development as a nation. Over time, settlers introduced European languages, legal systems, and customs, which remain influential today. The process was complex, involving exploration, colonization, trade, and sometimes conflict, reflecting a history that includes both cooperation and tensions between Europeans and Indigenous peoples.