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The roads to confederation

1838 - 1891. The roads to confederation. 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. review.

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The roads to confederation

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  1. 1838 - 1891 The roads to confederation

  2. 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 review

  3. 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 confederation

  4. War and expansionism in the U.S Fenian (Irish-American veterans) raids British trade policy Mutual Exchange (reciprocity) with U.S. ends Need for Railway British economic support fades Reasons for confederation

  5. 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 1. American civil war 1861 - 1865

  6. 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 2. American expansionism

  7. 3. Fenian Raids

  8. 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 4. Trouble with british trade

  9. 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 5. Need for Railways

  10. 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 6. British economic support fades

  11. 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 7. Political deadlock

  12. Picture time

  13. 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-AimeDorion’sparti rouge Pre-confederation political peeps

  14. Good lookin’ men George-Etienne Cartier George Brown John A. Macdonald Antoine-AimeDorion

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

  16. 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 The Charlottetown conference

  17. 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 More Charlottetown conference

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