1. The American Civil War (1861-65)
Impact on Canadian Confederation

2. Causes of American Civil War
By 1850: Southern states concerned over slavery's future
As U. S. expanded westward, "free" (non-slave) states would outnumber "slave" states
Once outnumbered, would the federal government to abolish slavery?

3. Causes of American Civil War
Post 1850: "States' rights" became the central issue
Southern "slave" states claimed that the federal government had no legal right to abolish slavery
It was a matter for individual states to decide

4. Causes of American Civil War
1850s: Tensions between North and South intensify as "free" states outnumber "slave" states in US Senate
November 1860: Republican Abraham Lincoln elected President
Lincoln opposed both slavery and states' rights
Southern states fear that Lincoln's government will abolish slavery

5. Causes of American Civil War
1860 Election - North vs. South

6. Outbreak of Civil War
December 1860: South Carolina becomes first Southern state to secede (withdraw from the US)
Other Southern states follow
Southern state legislatures order American federal troops to leave their territory
Lincoln refuses to withdraw federal troops
April 1861: South Carolina militia attack federal garrison at Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor - American Civil War begins

7. Two Contrasting Foes Northern Strengths: Northern Obstacles:
Larger Population
Strong Industrial Base
Control of Navy
General Ulysses S. Grant (later US President)
Northern Obstacles:
General Winfield Scott, Commander of the Union Army
To win war, had to invade and defeat the South

8. Two Contrasting Foes Southern Strengths: Southern Weaknesses:
Majority of Army officers
Could fight a defensive war
Jefferson Davis, President of Confederate States of America
Southern Weaknesses:
Smaller population
No industrial base
No navy
General Robert E. Lee, Commander of Confederate Army

9. British - American Relations
Britain sympathized with the South but remained officially neutral
South was major supplier of cotton for British textile industry
Southern society, like Britain, contained distinct social classes
As war progressed, several incidents persuaded the North that Britain was actively supporting the South

10. The Trent Affair (1861)
November 1861: Union warship stops British steamer Trent at gunpoint in neutral waters
Two Confederate delegates heading to London arrested
Britain outraged at "violation of their sovereignty"
North convinced that Britain is secretly supporting the South
Britain sends troops to British North America to defend colonies against possible American attack

11. The Alabama Affair
British shipyard builds warship Alabama for the Southern Confederacy
Alabama captured Northern commercial ships for two years before it was destroyed by Northern Navy in 1864
US claims that Britain owes them $4 billion as compensation for damage and losses ("Alabama claims")

12. St. Alban's Raid 1864: South losing war
Desperate Confederate soldiers gather in Montreal
October 1864: Confederates cross border, rob banks in St. Alban's, Vermont and flee back to Canada
Soldiers arrested but later released and given back money from the robberies
North even more convinced of Britain's support for the South
American government now angry at Canada as well

13. The Struggle Over Slavery
1850: Congress passes Fugitive Slave Act
Owners of runaway slaves permitted to recapture their "property" anywhere within the US, even states where slavery is not legal
Runaway slaves no longer "safe" anywhere in the US
Slave owners hire "bounty hunters" to bring back runaway slaves, dead or alive

14. The Underground Railroad
Canada becomes only "safe haven" for slaves in North America
Abolitionists and religious groups (Quakers) organize network of "safe houses" to smuggle runaway slaves from Northern states into Canada
Canada West receives large number of runaway slaves (esp. Niagara Peninsula)
Harriet Tubman and other African Americans risk their lives to protect runaway slaves from capture

15. The End of Slavery
January 1, 1863: Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slavery abolished in states that had seceded from the Union
Many runaway slaves join Northern army, believing a Northern victory will result in end of slavery

16. The American Civil War Ends
April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox
Two days later, Lincoln makes speech suggesting voting rights for blacks
April 14, 1865: John Wilkes Booth assassinates Lincoln as he sits in the balcony of the Ford Theatre with his wife, watching a play

17. The Fenian Brotherhood
Fenian Brotherhood: Irish organization founded in New York in 1858 to win Irish independence from Britain
At close of American Civil War, hundreds of unemployed Civil War veterans join the Fenians

18. The Fenian Brotherhood
We are the Fenian Brotherhood
Trained in the arts of war
We're going to fight for Ireland
The land that we adore
Many a battle we have won
Along with the boys in blue
Now we're going to capture Canada
For we've nothing else to do!

19. The Fenian Raids (1866)
Fenians gather in Maine and northern New York state
Plan: capture British North America and hold it for ransom in exchange for Irish independence
One invasion at Ridgeway, CW is defeated (June 1866)
"Fenian threat" in particular pressures reluctant New Brunswick into Confederation in 1867

20. Pressure for Union
British North American colonies increasingly concerned about American attack
Retaliation for British "support" of South during Civil War
Fenian threat along Canada West and New Brunswick borders
British North American union seen as means of strengthening ability to defend themselves against American aggression

21. End of Reciprocity (1866)
1864: American government announces end to Reciprocity in 1866
Reasons: A) Retaliation for British support of South during Civil War
B) Some Americans believe that BNA would have no choice but to join the US

22. Intercolonial Railroad
BNA union becomes alternative to Reciprocity
Increase intercolonial trade
Finance construction of Intercolonial Railroad to connect Canada to ice-free Atlantic ports
Increase competitiveness on world markets

23. British Pressure for Union
BNA union would make building of Intercolonial Railroad easier (one central government responsible for financing/construction)
United BNA could assume more responsibility for its own defense, reducing costs to Britain and problems in relations with the USA
British PM Disraeli: Colonies were "millstones" around the neck of the British Empire
Britain did all it could to advance the cause of BNA union in the mid-1860s