PUSHED TOGETHER Five Problems Leading to Confederation
War & Expansionism – 1860’s American Civil War – North vs South Big Issue – Slavery in Southern States War ended in 1865 Britain supported the South Manifest Destiny – One country/ One Continent kZUpM kZUpM Robert E Lee – Confederate General
War & Expansionism Reaction to American Civil War A united British North American could better defend itself against American invasion.
Problems with the Fenians Canada was invaded by Irish Americans after the Civil War Fenian revenge for British control of Ireland
Fenians
Trouble with Trade Fish, timber, grain cattle – Canadians Coal, pork – United States Reciprocity Agreement Reciprocity Agreement ended after Civil War (1864) American hostility Solution: Trade among British Colonies
Need for a Railway 1850 – 106 km’s of track in BNA 1867 – 3570 were added Unites States had 14,484 km of track Railway needed for trade Protection – Movement of Troops Cost Sharing among Colonies Further Expansion Westward ‘A mare usque a mare’
Changing British Attitudes Little Englanders – vocal about cost of colonies Defense was especially expensive Let Colonies look after themselves!
Dominion of Canada 1867
Fathers of Confederation
British North America Act