We got 99 problems, but Confederation ain’t one (yet) AKA Explaining how Canada became a country

Political Problems Political deadlock: Think back to Act of Union which gave equal say to Canada East and Canada West Government decisions could not be made because each side blocked the other from advancing Immigration changes population balance: 300000 more in Canada West thanks to immigration

Political Problems Brown “rep by pop” Cartier and Macdonald from Canada East and Canada West worked together Remain in control of assembly Both opposed “rep by pop”

Economic and Geographic Challenges Britain was giving less preferential treatment to BNA goods 1846 - Corn Laws repealed = Canadian corn and grain became more expensive and had to compete with other countries Recession in Province of Canada = economic decline People began to think of trade in the continent, not with colonies Work together, not with Britain

Economic and Geographic Challenges If trade were to succeed between colonies, a link between East and West would be needed Rail transportation Bring raw goods to the population for manufacturing Open West to settlement NS, NB, and Province of Quebec all had their own railroads Very expensive, each government deep in debt Needed to pool resources

Brown, Macdonald, Cartier The Great Coalition, 1864 Brown, Macdonald, Cartier

The Great Coalition Due to the political deadlock of the Act of Union there was only one way to resolve this mess. George Brown newspaper editor and leader of Canada West was extremely critical of John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier. He accused them of forcing the wishes of Canada East on Canada West He campaigned for representation by population Brown did the remarkable and offered to be partners with them if they pursued confederation

The Great Coalition Brown believed that confederation would allow each colony to have its own local government but also unite under a national government. Government members were so pleased to hear this that they crowded around him to shake his hand. The Great Coalition demonstrated that the political leaders could overcome personal and cultural differences.

‘Murica …and a little bit of the Irish

American Civil War 1861-65 – southern states declared secession from the USA (withdrawal) Formed Confederate States of America Declared a rebellion by USA Issues: Slavery Control over politics and economy North defeats South Britain needed cotton for Industry; officially neutral

USA & Manifest Destiny USA and Britain clashed over lack of neutrality Britain sent troops to BNA in case of American attack – it took a long time because there was no railway British North America realized they needed to unite in case of attack from USA, or they’d be done for Many Americans thought that the USA was destined by God to control all of North America Annexed Texas Settlers were spreading Fear that once war was done attention would turn north

Fenian Raids Irish men who wanted liberation of Ireland from British control Their idea: Capture BNA and hold colonies ransom for Irish freedom NB Five Fenians Ridgeway at Fort Erie Attempted raid in Manitoba BNA needed united defence

Charlottetown: The First Step Getting Down to Business

Charlottetown Conference In the first week of September, 1864, 15 Maritimers and 8 Canadians laid the foundation of an historic agreement. Initially the conference was designed to unite the maritime colonies. Before the meeting began the Maritime leaders allowed the Canadas representatives to speak. To their astonishment Macdonald spoke of uniting the colonies Brown spoke of how the provinces would share power

Charlottetown Conference Alexander Galt explained how a confederation would manage finances. One PEI delegate wrote “ The Canadians descended among us, and before they were three days among us, we forgot our own scheme and thought only about theirs.” Plans for a maritime union were gone and confederation was the focus. The delegates agreed to meet 1 month later.

Charlottetown Conference Before the meeting in Quebec City delegates went on the road to sell the idea of confederation. Confederation talk began to sweep BNA

Quebec: The Second Step October 10-24, 1864

Quebec Conference Delegates were excited to meet in Quebec but the hard work was about to come. The delegates had to decide on the details of confederation. The closer they got to drafting a bill the problems arose.

Quebec Conference Problems: Not all colonies were ready to give up their independence to a central government The smaller the colony the greater its fear of being swallowed up by the new union. Canada West wanted representation by population Smaller populations wanted equal representation All colonies wanted the central government to take over their debts PEI wanted to be able to buy farmland that was owned by British Landlords

Quebec Conference 72 Resolutions: Division of Power Representation The y decided that the new central government would be a constitutional monarchy Division of Power Central government would take over most of the powers and all areas that affected the new nation as a whole. The new provincial governments would hold on to colonial powers (education). Representation Members of the H of C would be elected by male voters on the basis of representation by population Women, Aboriginals, and people who did not own land could not vote

Quebec Conference Senate Money Matters Railways Canada West and Canada East would have 24 senators each and 24 senators would represent the interests of the two Atlantic provinces. Senators would be appointed No law could be passed without Senate approval Money Matters Central government would take over debts of the provinces The provinces would lose the right to raise money by collecting tariffs. Railways The government would build a railway to link the new provinces

Stop PowerPoint and watch part 2 of Canada a Peoples History The Great Enterprise “Strangers in Charlottetown”

To join or Not to join that is the question Confederation on Tour To join or Not to join that is the question

Confederation on Tour Many delegates believed that Confederation could be achieved in 1 year. NFLD: the Rock Says No! Did not want to give up their independence. They feared that one day they would have to fight against the Americans. They also worried that they would have to compete against Canadian businesses.

Confederation on Tour PEI: Says NO Left Quebec disappointed as they felt that the resolutions id not meet their needs espeically money to buy the unused land from landlords. They would only 5 of 194 seats in the H of C. They would only have 4 of 72 seats in the Senate. A railway would not help and island either. PEI joins in 1873

Confederation on Tour New Brunswick: Says Yes Many merchants were against confederation due to large and powerful Province of Canada. The people of New Brunswick held a vote to determine if they would enter confederation. Surprisingly the only 11 of the 41 elected representatives were pro-Confederation. However when the Fenain raids occurred Leonard Tilly was able to convince the people of N.B. That union would give them a stronger military.

Confederation on Tour Nova Scotia: Says Yes The people of N.S. Were afraid of handing control over to a new government that would be dominated by Canada East and Canada West. They also did not like the secrecy of confederation as the meeting were behind closed doors. Joseph Howe mocked the idea of confederation calling it “brotheration” rather than confederation N.S. Joins confederation in fear of the Fenian attacks.

Canada East and Canada West both say yes! Critics in Canada East were worried that their culture would die People questioned the idea of an inter-colonial railway. Who is going to pay for it? Confederation proposed the idea of free trade which meant tariffs were over. How do you make up the loss of money?

The London Conference, 1866 Delegates from London were excited that the colonies wanted to unite and start looking after themselves. The majority of the issues in the 72 Resolutions went smoothly due to John. A’s leadership The British North American Act was introduced into British Parliament and it received royal assent on March 29, 1867. On July 1st, 1867 the Dominion of Canada would be born and also on that same day John A. was knighted and added the title “Sir” to his name.

What’s in a name? Many names were suggested: Northland Anglia Tuponia Albinora Mesopelagia British Efsiga Cabotia Victorialand Hochelaga Most people wanted to call the new country the “Kingdom of Canada” but the British feared the word “Kingdom would upset the Americans.