Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 1 Source B We don t know each other. We have no trade with each other. We have no facilities, or resources, or incentives, to mingle with each other. We are shut off from each other by a wilderness, geographically, commercially, politically and socially. We always cross the United States to shake hands. Our interests are not identical, but the very opposite -- they are antagonistic and clashing. Halifax Acadian Recorder, 1866
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 2 1. Compare the development of the United States in 1866 with the organization of the BNA colonies at that time. What do you notice? 2. Using Source B, what can we infer about the comparable economies and populations of BNA and the USA? 3. Which BNA colonies were the most isolated? Why? Refer to the map for support. 4. Given their geographical location, what were the most logical trading partners for each of the following colonies? a) British Columbia b) Canada East
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 3 c) Canada West d) Nova Scotia? 5. Based on Source A and B, what challenges did the BNA colonies face in either remaining or becoming economically, politically, and socially connected to one another? 6. In your opinion, in 1866, did it make more sense for these isolated colonies to join the USA or to join together into a new country? Explain. Source C I would be quite willing, personally, to leave that whole [Rupert s Land] country a wilderness for the next half century, but I fear if Englishmen do not go there, Yankees will. Excerpt from a letter by John A. Macdonald, Father of Confederation, Canada West, 1865
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 4 Source D The question is reduced to this: we must either have a British North American federation or else be absorbed into the American federation. Excerpt from a speech by George-Etienne Cartier at the Quebec Conference, 1865 Source E They [the United States] coveted Florida, and seized it; they coveted Louisiana, and purchased it; they coveted Texas and stole it; and then they picked a quarrel with Mexico, which ended with their getting California...had we not the strong arm of England over us, we would not now have had a separate existence. Speech by Thomas D Arcy McGee, Father of Confederation, Canada West, February 9, 1865 Source F So I look upon Rupert s Land and Canada, and see how an ingenious people, and a capable, enlightened government, are occupied with bridging rivers and making railroads and telegraphs to develop, organize, and create and preserve the great British provinces of the north by the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence and around the shores of Hudson s Bay, and I am able to say, It is very well you are building excellent states to be hereafter admitted to the American Union. Excerpt from speech by Senator William Seward, delivered in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 18, 1960
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 5 7. According to the Fathers of Confederation, what threat did the United States pose to the remaining BNA colonies? 8. According to Source E, what had the American s done previously that caused BNA leaders to fear annexation? 9. Look up the meaning of the phrase Manifest Destiny. What was it, and how might it relate to Source E and F? 10. Based on source A, which regions were possibly at greatest risk of being annexed by the growing USA? 11. Based on the preponderance of evidence, which seemed a more likely scenario for the BNA colonies: Confederation into a new country, or annexation by the USA? Explain.
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 6 ANSWER KEY Source B We don t know each other. We have no trade with each other. We have no facilities, or resources, or incentives, to mingle with each other. We are shut off from each other by a wilderness, geographically, commercially, politically and socially. We always cross the United States to shake hands. Our interests are not identical, but the very opposite -- they are antagonistic and clashing. Halifax Acadian Recorder, 1866 1. Compare the development of the United States in 1866 with the organization of the BNA colonies at that time. What do you notice? BNA developed more slowly while the USA developed faster (the USA had more states and internal borders, which indicates greater government organization and possibly a larger population). 2. Using Source B, what can we infer about the comparable economies and populations of BNA and the USA? The US population was larger. Also, the BNA colonies were not well connected either socially or economically. Nova Scotia traded more with the USA than with the Canadas. 3. Which BNA colonies were the most isolated? Why? Refer to the map for support. BC and Newfoundland.
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 7 4. Given their geographical location, what were the most logical trading partners for each of the following colonies? a) British Columbia Washington State, Oregon, and California. b) Canada East Canada West, New York, Maine, Ohio. c) Canada West Canada East, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Ohio d) Nova Scotia? Great Britain (British Navy Base), New Brunswick, PEI 5. Based on Source A and B, what challenges did the BNA colonies face in either remaining or becoming economically, politically, and socially connected to one another? They lacked a railway to connect them all. Also, the St. Lawrence River froze over in the winter, and they didn t have strong political or economic relationships. Furthermore, Newfoundland and BC were geographically isolated, and Rupert s land divided BC from the other colonies. 6. In your opinion, in 1866, did it make more sense for these isolated colonies to join the USA or to join together into a new country? Explain. Answers will vary.
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 8 Source C I would be quite willing, personally, to leave that whole [Rupert s Land] country a wilderness for the next half century, but I fear if Englishmen do not go there, Yankees will. Excerpt from a letter by John A. Macdonald, Father of Confederation, Canada West, 1865 Source D The question is reduced to this: we must either have a British North American federation or else be absorbed into the American federation. Excerpt from a speech by George-Etienne Cartier at the Quebec Conference, 1865 Source E They [the United States] coveted Florida, and seized it; they coveted Louisiana, and purchased it; they coveted Texas and stole it; and then they picked a quarrel with Mexico, which ended with their getting California...had we not the strong arm of England over us, we would not now have had a separate existence. Speech by Thomas D Arcy McGee, Father of Confederation, Canada West, February 9, 1865 Source F So I look upon Rupert s Land and Canada, and see how an ingenious people, and a capable, enlightened government, are occupied with bridging rivers and making railroads and telegraphs to develop, organize, and create and preserve the great British provinces of the north by the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence
Confederation: Primary Source Analysis 9 and around the shores of Hudson s Bay, and I am able to say, It is very well you are building excellent states to be hereafter admitted to the American Union. Excerpt from speech by Senator William Seward, delivered in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 18, 1960 7. According to the Fathers of Confederation, what threat did the United States pose to the remaining BNA colonies? Some American leaders were threatening to annex (take over) Rupert s Land and the remaining BNA colonies. 8. According to Source E, what had the American s done previously that caused BNA leaders to fear annexation? -- They stole land from Mexico (eg: California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas) and from Spain (Miami). Also, they conquered the Aboriginal peoples of the Midwest. 9. Look up the meaning of the phrase Manifest Destiny. What was it, and how might it relate to Source E and F? Manifest Destiny The belief in the inevitable expansion and success of the USA throughout the North America. 10. Based on source A, which regions were possibly at greatest risk of being annexed by the growing USA? Rupert s Land, BC, Canada West, New Brunswick and Canada East. 11. Based on the preponderance of evidence, which seemed a more likely scenario for the BNA colonies: Confederation into a new country, or annexation by the USA? Explain. Annexation seemed quite likely. Confederation looked unlikely.