1. Confederation
Pages

3. Important Confederation Details
Canada East – Formerly Lower Canada - Francophone
Canada West – Formerly Upper Canada - Anglophone
These two places made up what was known as the Province of Canada

4. Act of the Union
This was designed to join these two provinces
However, it created a political deadlock
(*one major cause of Confederation*)
This is the inability to reach a decision because of disagreement between equally powerful decision makers. (French-English conflict which often lead to short-lived governments- see p. 180 The “Great Coalition”)
Each province had 42 seats in government which created the deadlock

5. Fathers of confederation – Quebec conference

6. Confederation Leaders- The “Great coalition”
Read page 172 for background info on each
George-Étienne Cartier
John A. MacDonald
George Brown

8. What they wanted
The Canadiens wanted their language and religion to remain protected
Joining Confederation was seen as a chance to protect their rights by some and others saw confederation as a bad decision (joining Canada West and East)

10. The question of independence
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island were British colonies, but they governed themselves
They thought they would lose their independence by joining Canada East and West
They also thought becoming part of a new country would be expensive
Would the Canada’s try to convince them to join into Confederation?

11. Causes of confederation p
Causes of confederation p External causes American Civil war, Fenian Raids and Annexation
US Civil War- South (Southern Confederate States of America) vs. North (Union States). Largely over slavery & control for economic and political.
Britain claimed to be neutral, however its textile industry relied on cotton from the South….
BNA was worried that the North would retaliate against us for our trade with the South….
Trent Affair and St. Alban’s Raid- read p. 175
*---both held consequences/threat of possible American attack –which made BNA realize that, as separate entities, they had little to no means to defend themselves.*

12. Annexation – takeover of a territory by another country
Causes of confederation p External causes American expansion/Annexation- Manifest destiny
Annexation – takeover of a territory by another country
BNA, and later Canada, worried about American Annexation.
Manifest Destiny- belief that the US was destined by God, to control all of NA.
George Brown wanted to expand further west into Rupert’s Land, but worried that America might try to claim Rupert’s Land

13. 1859-a ‘brotherhood’ of Irishmen in the USA
Causes of confederation p External causes American Civil war, Fenian Raids and Annexation
Fenian Raids
1859-a ‘brotherhood’ of Irishmen in the USA
Promoted the liberation of Ireland from British Control.
Believed that if they could capture some of BNA they could use it for ransom in return for Irelands freedom.
1866 there were many raids. Ex: NB, Niagra River, and almost into MB.
*The Fenian raids helped promote a desire for a union among the BNA colonies, which began to believe they need a united defence.*

14. Causes of Confederation: Economic Challenges Trade b/w BNA and the United States
Many people made their leaving from the lumber industry
Until 1840 Britain was still under the rules of Mercantilism
Britain was getting rich from the work and resources of the colonies

15. Causes of Confederation: Economic Challenges Trade b/w BNA and the United States
In the mid 1840’s Britain attempted to end Mercantilism giving BNA more independence in trade
1854- Reciprocity Treaty - a special trading relationship with the US allowed BNA to sell their goods to US at a good price US cancelled it.
(in hopes to cripple BNA economy so they would join with the USA)
The US put tariffs on BNA goods – an extra charge added to items
*BNA leaders realized that economic connections were imperative for survival….thus seeing the benefits of closer economic and political cooperation with one another in BNA!*

16. The Railroad
Railroads became an important part of Confederation – because they were open all year, unlike rivers
Linking the West (raw goods) to the East (manufacturing hub)
Open up new settlement opportunities and establish a stronger British presence in the West
*NS, NB and the Province of Canada all had their own at the time but costs were staggering and each
were struggling to cope with the debt
…if there were to expand they would
need to work together (UNITE!)*

17. Why Are Railroads and Connections Important?
Think of a heavy snowfall that leaves your yard full of snow. Do you attempt to dig out the whole yard or do you on clear a path to important things? Garage, car, front door etc……
This is how things were with the formation of the railroad in BNA.
Brainstorm Question:
*Why do you think that it is or isn’t important for a country to be connected?*

18. British north America act-July 1 1867
The BNA Act was written by John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier
This created division of power b/w federal (govern all of Canada) and provincial (only govern one province) powers
BNA Act made Federal and Provincial Government divisions
This created the Dominion of Canada

19. Why didn’t the Maritimes join confederation
The Maritimes had strong economic connections with Britain
They had very little connection with Canada East and West
The people of Nova Scotia did not want to join Confederation
The leader of Nova Scotia, Charles Tupper, decided to join Confederation against the voters will

20. What was Nova Scotia offered to join Confederation?
They were promised money for roads, bridges and railway connections to connect the Maritimes with Canada East and West
This was called the Intercolonial Railway
Railroads are N.B. because:
transport people
transport goods
connect the country

21. FIRST NATION’S AT CONFEDERATION
During the Confederation process BNA did not work with FN at all
Their idea of citizenship excluded FN
BNA passed the Gradual Enfranchisement Act in 1857
This required FN to give up their ways of life before they could become citizens with the right to vote

22. In 1867, the British North America act established Confederation
FN were made the responsibility of Canada’s Federal Gov’t
Until 1960, Canada’s gov’t did not allow people with legal status as “Indians” to vote – only people who gave up their status could vote
Read “First Nations Join Confederation” on pg 255

24. Dominion of Canada Included:
Canada East, Canada West, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
PEI and Newfoundland did not join the Confederation
They were worried about increased taxes
See some Key Points of BNA Act on pg 185

25. Canada at confederation
Canada became a country in 1867 it was called the Dominion of Canada
The main goal was to create a government which gave each region the right to make its own decisions. – Democracy – Provincial style government
Canada Day is July 1st of every year
In 1867 Canada only consisted of four provinces
Ontario – formerly named Canada West
Quebec – formerly named Canada East
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick

26. You may stop taking notes here…………..

27. I am Canadian speech
Hey .I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader, and I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber, or own a dog sled, and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really, really nice. I have a Prime Minister, not a President. I speak English and French, not American, and I pronounce it 'about', not 'a boot'.
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in peacekeeping, not policing; diversity, not assimilation; and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A tuque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch, and it is pronounced zed: not zee – zed!! Canada is the second largest land mass! The first nation of hockey! And the best part of North America! My name is Joe!! And I am Canadian!... Thank you.

28. I am Canadian
Video Link

29. Your turn
If you had to make a speech about Canada what would you include?
How would you want us to be seen and viewed by other countries?
In your opinion what makes us such a great country to live in?
It is now your turn to write a short speech –
“I am Canadian”

31. The Confederation Rap
Video Link

33. Watch ELIJAH
Read page 255

34. Colonies and provinces
British Columbia, PEI and Newfoundland-
Colonies had British settlements
Colonies had governments elected by colonists- Democratic
The colonies joined Canada by becoming provinces – this was decided upon by the colonists
They had their own provincial government to make their own decisions

35. territories Territories had very few British settlers
Territories had governments appointed by British officials – Colonial
The territories were transferred to Canada through an agreement b/w Britain and Canada
The Canadian government controlled the territories – without having elected assemblies
Manitoba refused to transferred to Canada as a territory
Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces as population of settlers in territories grew

36. British Columbia

37. bc BC joined Canada as a province in 1871
BC was a British settlement explored by George Vancouver
The economy was mostly reliant on the fur trade
The gold rush in 1857 hurt BC’s economy as it did not last long
BC had a great deal of debt
They were encouraged to join confederation – Canada agreed to pay off their loans and build a railroad linking BC to the other provinces in the East

38. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND PEI joined Canada as a province in 1873
The colony of PEI had economic trouble
Many farmers on the island did not own their own farms – they were owned by people who lived in Britain
Canada wanted PEI to join confederation, rather than joining the US
Canada agreed to pay for PEI’s railroad, purchase the islands farmland from Britain and provide year round ferry service to the mainland

39. NEWFOUNDLAND Nfld joined confederation in 1949
Nfld was a colony of Britain which had its own gov’t that the colonists elected
Nfld had a strong economy based on trade in fish and timber
The Great Depression in the 1930’s hurt Nfld’s economy
In 1934 Britain took direct control of Nfld – this lasted until the end of WW II – 1945
Britain then told Nfld they would no longer help them in the future
In 1948 they voted to join Canada
The Canadian government would pay most of Nfld’s debts, provide money to help the economy, and provide ferry service