British North America facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British North America
1783–1907
Flag of the United Kingdom (1801 onward)
Anthem: God Save The King/Queen
Status	Colonies of Great Britain (1783–1800) Colonies of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1907)
Capital	Administered from London, England
Common languages	English, French, Gaelic
Religion	Christianity Protestantism Catholic Church Judaism
Monarch
• 1783–1820	George III
• 1820–1830	George IV
• 1830–1837	William IV
History
• Treaty of Paris	1783
• Jay Treaty	1794
• Treaty of 1818	1818
• British North America Act, 1867	1867
• Rupert's Land Act	1868
• British North America Act, 1871	1871
• British Columbia Terms of Union	1871
• Prince Edward Island Terms of Union	1873
• Adjacent Territories Order	1880
• 1907 Imperial Conference	1907
Currency	Pound sterling Made Beaver Canadian pound Newfoundland dollar Nova Scotian dollar New Brunswick dollar Prince Edward Island dollar British Columbia dollar Canadian dollar
Preceded by Succeeded by British America Canada Dominion of Newfoundland Bermudaa
Today part of	Bermuda Canada United States
Colony thenceforth grouped for convenience with British West Indies

British North America was the name for the British Empire's lands in North America from 1783 to 1907. Before 1783, these lands were called "British America." The British started settling in North America in the 1500s, first in Newfoundland, then further south. This led to the creation of the Thirteen Colonies along the Atlantic coast.

After the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War), Britain gained a lot of new land from France in 1763. This made British territory in North America much larger. The term "British America" was used before the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The term "British North America" started being used after the Treaty of Paris (1783). This treaty ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, which became the United States of America. So, "British North America" referred to the lands that remained under British control.

These remaining territories eventually formed the country of Canada. This process began with the British North America Act, 1867. This act created the "Dominion of Canada" on July 1, 1867. Three British North American provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada (which became Ontario and Quebec)—joined together.

The island of Bermuda was also part of British North America for a time. It was later grouped with the British West Indies after 1867. British North America included what is now Canada and Bermuda. It also included parts of what are now six U.S. states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) and parts of Maine.

What Were the British North America Colonies?

After the United States became independent in 1783, Britain still controlled several areas in North America. These areas were managed by the British government in London. The main office in charge was the Home Office, which later became the War and Colonial Office.

Before a treaty in 1846, the main British colonies on the North American continent were:

• Province of Canada (this was made up of Upper Canada and Lower Canada)
• Newfoundland
• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Rupert's Land (a huge area owned by the Hudson's Bay Company)
• British Arctic Territories (the islands in the far north)
• Columbia District/Oregon Country (an area shared with the United States)

The island group of Bermuda was also considered part of British North America. It was the closest British territory to Nova Scotia after the United States.

How Were These Colonies Governed?

Each colony had its own local government. But overall, British North America was managed directly from London, England.

From 1783 to 1801, the British Home Office oversaw these colonies. Later, from 1801 to 1854, the War Office (which was renamed the War and Colonial Office) took over. This office divided the British Empire into different sections. One of these sections was "NORTH AMERICA."

The "NORTH AMERICA" section included:

• Upper Canada and Lower Canada
• New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
• Bermuda and Newfoundland

In 1854, the War Office and the Colonial Office became separate. The Colonial Office was then in charge of the colonies. By 1862, the Colonial Office managed eight colonies in British North America:

• Canada
• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland
• Bermuda
• Vancouver Island
• British Columbia

After most of these colonies joined to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, only Bermuda and Newfoundland remained as separate British colonies in North America. The Falkland Islands, located in the South Atlantic, were also managed by the North American Department of the Colonial Office for a time.

In 1907, Newfoundland also became a "Dominion," like Canada. This meant Bermuda was the only remaining British colony in North America. Bermuda was then grouped with the British colonies in the British West Indies.

See also

In Spanish: Norteamérica británica para niños