Grade 8 History Confederation
Factors Leading To Confederation Defence Issues During the war of 1812, England successfully defended the colonies in North America against the United States. England had many colonies all over the world including India, South Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean. All of these colonies needed troops to keep them safe. This became very expensive for England. England went to war with Russia in the Crimean War, so many troops in North America were sent from Canada to fight the Russians. Who would defend us against another American invasion?
British Colonies
Factors Leading To Confederation Fenian Raids Ireland and England have had a history of conflict. Ireland wanted to be independent of Great Britain, which ruled countries like Scotland, Wales and England. More than 2 million Irish people immigrated to North America during this time; many to the USA, others to Canada. Many Irish men formed a group called the Fenians. These men armed themselves and planned on attacking British colonies in North America from the United States. With soldiers being recalled to fight Russia, who would defend us against these Irish rebels?
Factors Leading To Confederation Transportation The colonies were set up to transport their goods mainly to Britain, because colonies are meant to help the motherland make a profit. If you wanted to transport something to British Columbia, you would have to send it by sea around the coast of South America. There was no system to support trade between the colonies in North America. How would Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime colonies trade for mutual benefit?
In order to transport goods, messages, or soldiers to the colony of British Columbia, the route was most inconvenient.
Transportation The colonies built the Grand Trunk Railway connecting Montreal and Toronto, but the railway was losing money. It was proposed to extend The Grand Trunk Railway all the way to St. John and Halifax so that it could help trade between the colonies, but Great Britain would not pay for it. The new name for this proposed railway was The Intercollonial Railway. The only roads that existed were rough horse trails that were completely closed in the winter.
Factors Leading to Confederation Manifest Destiny During the American Civil War, Great Britain was almost dragged into the huge conflict over the issue of slavery. After the Northern States (The Union) defeated the Southern States (The Confederacy), The United States of America looked to Canada and Mexico as targets. American politicians believed their destiny included owning all of North America.
Factors Leading to Confederation Annexation Bill In 1866, an American politician introduced this bill to congress which would allow the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada East (Quebec), Canada West (Ontario), and British Columbia join the United States as official States. This was seen as a peaceful and legal way to Manifest Destiny. Fortunately the Bill did not pass, and was rejected by American politicians.
Factors Leading to Confederation Political Issues Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the permanent capital of Canada in 1866. Canada East (Quebec) and Canada West (Ontario) used Equal Representation which gave each colony the same number of seats or representatives in government. Canada West (Ontario) began to grow much faster than Canada East (Quebec). Should they still have the same number of seats?
Factors Leading to Confederation Political Issues Political Party Location of Origin Leader Priorities Conservatives (Tories) Canada West John A. Macdonald Join BNA using representation by population Liberals (Grits) Canada West George Brown Reform BNA using representation by population Bleus Canada East George-Etienne Cartier Rouges Canada East Antoine-Aime Dorion Join BNA if Canada East gets power over religion and family law Join Canada East into the USA and reduce power of church in politics
Factors Leading to Confederation Political Issues George Brown Leader of the Liberal party was the biggest supporter of Representation by Population. Demanded Canada West get 16 more seats than Canada East because of their larger population. He owned his own newspaper (The Globe) and used this forum in Toronto to write biased reports on the issue. There is currently a college in Toronto named after him.
Factors Leading to Confederation Political Issues George-Etienne Cartier Leader of the Bleus, was a lawyer from Montreal. Strongly opposed Representation by Population because he was afraid the French language, catholic faith, and Canadiens culture would be wiped out of Canada. Never agreed to Rep by Pop, and became bitter enemies with George Brown.
Factors Leading to Confederation Political Issues John A. Macdonald Leader of the conservatives and eventually the first Prime Minister of Canada Believed strongly in forming a new nation. Demonstrated great compromise by satisfying the wants of both Cartier and Brown. Convinced both sides to agree to Representation by Population and guaranteeing protection of French culture. Was accused of being corrupt, accepting bribes.
Charlottetown Conference Since Canada West and Canada East had agreed to work together and make their own decisions, the maritime colonies decided they would too. The Charlottetown conference was planned to discuss a Maritime Union between P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. (Newfoundland was not invited) John A. MacDonald was so excited that this meeting was taking place, that he managed to get the Canadas invited. At the end of the conference, they decided to support merging the Maritimes and the Canadas.
Quebec Conference A month later, the Maritime colonies and Canadas met again, this time inviting Newfoundland. This conference was about how the power was to be divided. A federal government would be elected to handle national issues like aboriginal relationships and defence (military). There would also be provincial elections in charge of education and transportation. John A. Macdonald was the main influence in writing these laws.
Opposition Antoine-Aime Dorion Leader of the Rouge party opposed Confederation because he feared the destruction of French Culture. He proposed a referendum giving the people an opportunity to vote for or against confederation. Preferred joining the U.S.A. Wilfred Laurier Voiced his opinion that Quebec should work to be free and independent to preserve their culture. Joseph Howe Premier of Nova Scotia felt that the smaller Nova Scotia would be overpowered by Ontario and Quebec. He felt the size of Canada made it impossible for the Maritimes to be actively involved or heard in the proposed gigantic country.
The London Conference After much arguing and voting, representatives travelled to London, England to formally ask for independence. The provinces that agreed to join confederation were Canada West, Canada East, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. PEI declined because the new country Canada refused to pay $800,000 to buy land from English Landlords. Newfoundland declined to join because they did not want to give up their way of life and loyalty to Britain.
Confederation July 1 st 1867 The Dominion of Canada was formed. Canada retained the monarchy and membership in the British Empire. Britain would still negotiate with other countries on Canada s behalf. This continued until 1923. We did not have our own constitution until 1982 thanks to Pierre Elliot Trudeau.