Here, we take New Brunswick into account, from the time Europeans started discovering the area. With a table showing the important events, we try to help you get a better understanding of the subject.
Table of Contents
New Brunswick History timeline
As said before, New Brunswick history, like the history of Canada, begins with the indigenous people. They occupied the land so long before Vikings explored the area in the 10th century, looking for the Vinland (Remember Vinland Saga?). Although they left Canada after a few years, they left their mark on its history.
It took about another 500 years for Europeans to set foot in the land again, and this time it was none other than the famous man of the sea, Jacques Cartier. Through his explorations in Canada, he visited New Brunswick too.
Being part of Acadia, New Brunswick history has similar moments to the other Atlantic Provinces. The British seized the area, France ceded Acadia to the British, the Expulsion in 1758, and at last, in 1763, France ceded all its lands in Canada to the British.
One point that stands out in New Brunswick history and Canada’s was the final decades of the 19th century when the first women got their university degrees from Mount Allison University, New Brunswick.
In the table below, you can read about the important parts of New Brunswick history.
| Year | Event |
| Before the 16th century | The area was occupied by indigenous people, the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and the Passamaquoddy. |
| 10th century | Vikings explored some parts of Canada’s Atlantic coast, including parts of New Brunswick. |
| 16th century | Jacques Cartier explores New Brunswick. |
| 1604 | Samuel Champlain and de Monts established a short-lived colony in New Brunswick; it didn’t last one year. |
| 1621 | The British claimed the land of New Brunswick along with Nova Scotia and parts of Maine, starting a rivalry. |
| 1710 | Port Royal was seized by the British and renamed Annapolis Royal. |
| 1713 | Treaty of Utrecht, France ceded the Acadia peninsula to the British Crown. Today’s New Brunswick stayed under French rule; some Acadians fled to these parts. |
| 1758 | During “Expulsion of Acadians”, in order to make way for the “Siege of Quebec”, the British captured all of today’s New Brunswick. |
| 1763 | “Treaty of Paris”, France surrendered all of its colonies in Canada to Britain. |
| 1766 | The Present-day Moncton was founded by the Dutch. |
| 1776 | American Revolution marks the beginning of Loyalists’ immigration to New Brunswick. |
| 1784 | New Brunswick was founded, separated from Nova Scotia. Its name honors King Georges III, who was from “House of Brunswick”. |
| 1845 | A large number of immigrants entered New Brunswick through the “Great Famine”. |
| 1867 | New Brunswick entered the Confederation. |
| 1875 | Grace A.Lockhart became the first woman in Canada to receive a B.S Degree from Mount Allison University, New Brunswick. |
As you read above, the name of New Brunswick comes from the “House of Brunswick”, from which King Georges III was. It is notable that Throughout New Brunswick history, because it is located in the east, many immigrants have settled there, running from the dire conditions in Europe. Also, since parts of it were still for the French, many Francophones fled after the Utrecht Treaty.
Historical sites of New Brunswick
In the next part, we learn about some historical sites in New Brunswick, which played significant key roles throughout New Brunswick history.
Fort Beauséjour (Fort Cumberland)
The French built the fort in 1751 but lost it to the British in 1755, during the Seven Years’ War. The British renamed it to Fort Cumberland and fended off an attack from the United States’ supporters in 1776. The remains of this Fort is considered one of the national Historic sites of Canada and a token of New Brunswick history.
Remains of Fort Cumberland, New Brunswick
Remains of Fort Cumberland, New Brunswick
Last words on New Brunswick history
New Brunswick history is entwined with Canada’s past because it is as old as Canada’s. Though it is a relatively small province, Its history has dramatically affected Canada as we know it today. Here we get to the end of our article on New Brunswick history; hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it.
If you are interested in other provinces’ history, check out other articles about them, and leave your feedback. We would be glad to know your opinion, anytime.
