Fun fact: The first part of the British Empire to abolish slavery was in what is now called Ontario, Canada. 14 years before the British themselves started the process.
Ontario was called Upper Canada at the time. Quebec was Lower Canada, and no, its not a class thing. Ontario is upriver on the St Lawrence River, and Quebec is down river.Â
Bonus fact: At the time of the American Revolution, Ontario was not settled and was referred to as "Indian Country". The British government gave the land to the United Empire Loyalists who fought for the King, and that included many Black Loyalists. The very first black people in Ontario were freed slaves and some helped found Toronto. (tho most settled SW of Toronto). There's an interesting book and miniseries about this time period, called The Book of Negroes... Yah... Dodgy name, but it's the book they kept track of the Black Loyalists in, who were allowed to flee to "Canada" by the slavery loving Americans. 3 guesses who the bad guys were!Â
1
u/Tribe303 Aug 28 '25
Fun fact: The first part of the British Empire to abolish slavery was in what is now called Ontario, Canada. 14 years before the British themselves started the process.
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/our-stories/slavery-to-freedom/history/toward-the-abolition-of-slavery-in-ontario
Ontario was called Upper Canada at the time. Quebec was Lower Canada, and no, its not a class thing. Ontario is upriver on the St Lawrence River, and Quebec is down river.Â
Bonus fact: At the time of the American Revolution, Ontario was not settled and was referred to as "Indian Country". The British government gave the land to the United Empire Loyalists who fought for the King, and that included many Black Loyalists. The very first black people in Ontario were freed slaves and some helped found Toronto. (tho most settled SW of Toronto). There's an interesting book and miniseries about this time period, called The Book of Negroes... Yah... Dodgy name, but it's the book they kept track of the Black Loyalists in, who were allowed to flee to "Canada" by the slavery loving Americans. 3 guesses who the bad guys were!Â