Military history of Canada

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Military history of Canada
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The military history of Canada comprises centuries of conflict within the territory, and interventions by the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping missions worldwide. For millenia, the area comprising modern Canada saw sporadic conflicts among Indigenous peoples. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Canada was the site of several colonial conflicts, including four major colonial wars between New France and British America. The conflicts spanned nearly 70 years, and also involved various First Nations.

The British conquered New France in 1760, and its French civilians, whom the British hoped to assimilate, were subsequently declared "British subjects". After the Quebec Act of 1774, Canadians received their first charter of rights under the new regime, and the northern colonies opted to abstain from joining the American Revolutionary War and remain loyal to the Crown. Americans invaded in 1775 and again from 1812 to 1814 but were rebuffed each time. The threat of US invasion persisted into the 19th century, partially facilitating Canadian Confederation in 1867.

After Confederation, the full-fledged professional Canadian military was established. As a British dominion, Canada's forces participated in the Second Boer War and the First World War. Canada issued its first declaration of war during the Second World War, in support of the UK. Since then, Canada's strong support for multilateralism and internationalism has been exemplified by its peacekeeping efforts and participation in multinational coalitions, including the Korean War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and the Afghan war.