THE ROADS TO CONFEDERATION1838 - 1891

REVIEW

The Union Act of 1841 Upper and Lower Canada were united

under one government Equal representation in the Assembly Upper Canada’s debt was pooled with

Lower Canada’s much smaller debt English would be the only official language

of government

CONFEDERATION

What does that mean? A confederation is a group of people or organizations

brought together for a common purpose What came together to form Canada?

A number of colonies They became provinces

Stronger yet – A NATION!

What kind of government resulted? Two levels of government with a division of powers:

Provincial – weak Federal – strong

REASONS FOR CONFEDERATION

1. War and expansionism in the U.S2. Fenian (Irish-American veterans) raids3. British trade policy4. Mutual Exchange (reciprocity) with

U.S. ends5. Need for Railway6. British economic support fades

1. AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 1861 - 1865

Britain claimed neutrality during the American Civil War (1861 – 1865) In reality, they supported the Southern

Confederacy Southern soldiers stage raids on

Northern states out of Canada British North America fear retaliation by

Northern U.S. to get back at Britain

2. AMERICAN EXPANSIONISM

Manifest Destiny – a belief among many post-American Civil War politicians that the U.S. was destined to control North American and this notion was backed by God. Manifest means “apparent” or “understood”. Was promoted by some in the U.S. God directed right to take over all of North America

1867 – U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia ($26 million) American settlers, railways, trade pressing West and

surrounding Red River settlement Gold Rush in BC drawing thousands of Americans into

colony

3. FENIAN RAIDS

4. TROUBLE WITH BRITISH TRADE

Before 1845, British North America colonies had favored trade with Britain Preferential Trade – a trading post which gives special

access to certain products from certain countries. This is done by reducing tariffs, but does not remove them completely

In 1846, Britain ended preference and now allowed goods from all countries without charging taxes Caused financial pressure on colonies

In 1854, British North America entered into Reciprocity Treaty – free trade between countries where goods can be traded without tariffs (import taxes)

U.S. ended treaty in 1865 British North America Colonies suffered

5. NEED FOR RAILWAYS

Trade among colonies needed rail system In 1850, only 106 km of line existed

Most of rail business going to Americans Colonists sought to build own rail lines

Between 1850 – 1867, 2 570 km of line was added Grand Trunk Railway wanted to join Canada

West to Halifax Expensive and nearly went bankrupt Solution was uniting to share costs Railway would improve communication and trade Increase security and defense of British North

America

6. BRITISH ECONOMIC SUPPORT FADES

Britain looked at British North America colonies as a huge expense Defense is expensive

Wanted colonies to pay own way and become independent New attitude came at time of Fenian raids

and U.S. westward expansion

7. POLITICAL DEADLOCK

United Canada in 1860 had severe political deadlock – a situation where little or no bills or legislation can be passed in Parliament because no one government has the majority to pass the bills. Creates a situation where government stops working. Government and opposition have almost

the same number of seats Government was on pause

PICTURE TIME

PRE-CONFEDERATION POLITICAL PEEPS The province of Canada (Quebec and

Ontario) consisted of two opposing forces

Conservatives (English Canadians) Canada West – John A. Macdonald’s “Liberal

Conservative Party” Canada East – George Etienne Cartier’s parti

blue Reformers: (French Canadians)

Canada West – George Brown’s Reform Party Canada East – Antoine-Aime Dorion’s parti

rouge

GOOD LOOKIN’ MEN

John A. Macdonald George-Etienne Cartier

George Brown Antoine-Aime Dorion

HERE WE GO…

In total, there were 36 original ‘Fathers of Confederation’ including the key figures mentioned in the previous slides.

THE CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE

September 1 – 9, 1864 In the spring, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and

PEI were contemplating the possibility of Maritime Union.

This interest sparked the Charlottetown Conference

Representatives from UC and LC attended the conference A conclusion was made – this idea of a union

warranted discussion So, more meetings

MORE CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE Canadian delegation proposed the following

foundations for a new country Preservation of ties with Great Britain Residual jurisdiction left to a central authority A bicameral system including a Lower House with

representation by population and an Upper House with representation based on regional, rather than provincial

Equality Responsible government at the federal and

provincial levels, and The appointment of a governor general by the

British Crown