Canada is a large nation in North America. Tracing its roots to a handful of British and French colonies founded in the 17th and 18th centuries, Canada eventually grew to become one of the largest of Britain's holdings in North America following the defeat of France in the French and Indian War of 1754-63 (called the Seven Years' War in Europe) and eventually became the largest holding of the British Empire in North America following the American Revolutionary War and subsequent independence of the United States of America. Although playing host to several conflicts throughout the 19th century (most notably the War of 1812), Canada grew and prospered relatively peacefully throughout the century and was granted Dominion status upon unification in 1867. Canada eventually grew even larger, en