The Drive to Nationhood: 1854-

1868Group #3

8-27

Representation by Population(1857-1864)

Number of elected members in Legislative Assembly depended on number of voters

Two West parties, Two East parties East favored rights of Canadiens and biculturalism West wanted ‘rep by pop’ for majority power Before ‘rep by pop’, there was a political deadlock (equal

power; laws couldn’t be passed) West parties decided to form the Great Coalition (1864)

with East parties (wanted federal union/Confederation)

Representation by Population(1857-1864)

A. A. Dorion (East)George-Etienne Cartier (East) George Brown (West) John A. Macdonald (West)

Reciprocity Treaty (1854) British colonies in North America were favored when

trading with Britain (lower or no trade taxes) (1846) Britain enters free-trade period (lowest deal available,

from any country), British colonies in North America lost specialties, economy suffered

Reciprocity Treaty signed between British North America and U.S. (resulted in free trade of natural goods between British North American colonies and U.S.)

British North American colonies got specialties (no trade tax) with U.S. trading

(1865) U.S. ended Reciprocity Treaty; they thought British colonies could keep trading amongst themselves without taxes and economic wealth would continue

Expansion of the United States, and the Threat to the Canadian

Colonies After American Civil War, Americans entered period of expansion

westward, gathering land from Spain, Mexico, France and Great Britain Questions asked:

Would the Americans try to buy land from the British in the British part of North America?

Would they invade land, like they did before? (during the American Revolution during the war of 1812)

Good farmland was difficult to get, and expansion westward would provide lots of settlement areas

Colonies realized if they could join together, they could arrive at western areas before Americans (concerned about expenses).

In 1866, the Fenians made armed raids across the border into the British North American colonies (could not attack Britain directly,had to settle for attacking their colonies instead).

American Expansion and the Colonies’ Desire for Union

British North American colonies (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Province of Canada) agreed to join together to form a federal union.

Reasons for federal union/confederation: Political deadlock (no laws could be passed) Railway was needed to link three colonies together Trade with United States was ending Threat to the colonies about American Expansion into

British North America Britain was changing their opinions on their British

Colonies in North America.

American Expansion and Great Britain’s Desire for Union

(Confederation) Canada sensed that U.S.A wanted to expand into it U.S.A wanted to join with British Columbia by

building expensive railroad John A. McDonald decided to have federal union He united Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and

Province of Canada (Quebec & Ontario) Newfoundland and P.E.I rejected union (afraid of

losing control of local affairs)

The Atlantic Colonies (1854-1864)

Serious problems: scarce industrial development Scarce population growth - residents forced to

move elsewhere Trade problem (U.S. planned to end Reciprocity

Treaty) Less demand for goods from Atlantic colonies Threat of American expansion, Atlantic Colonies

wanted to be stronger, they banded together Conference of Charlottetown was held in PEI to

discuss the possible union of the Atlantic Colonies

Charlottetown Conference (1864)

September 1, 1964- union of the Atlantic Colonies Newfoundland did not attend Province of Canada tried convincing Atlantic colonies to

join larger union The Fathers of Confederation attended Province of Canada promised to make railroad connecting

Atlantic Colonies and Canada Second meeting in Quebec

Who Were the Fathers of Confederation?

Represented the British North American colonies more than once in confederation

Conferences in Charlottetown, Quebec and London The people were:

- John A. Macdonald- George Brown- George-Etienne Cartier- Alexander Tilloch Galt- Charles Tupper- Thomas D’Arcy McGee- Hector-Louis Langevin

A Brief Rundown of the Confederation Debate

Job of delegates at Quebec conference: convincing Anti-Confederates to join Confederation

For the 72 resolutions to be passed, had to be approved by the Colonial assemblies in Province of Canada

In Atlantic Colonies New Brunswick and Nova Scotia voted against idea of

Confederation Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland rejected idea of

Confederation People in Nova Scotia close to railway: interested in Confederation London Conference: Sixteen Delegates from New Brunswick and

Nova Scotia presented the Seventy-two Resolutions

PEI and Newfoundland Wide spread opposition to idea of Confederation in

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland July 1873 - joined Confederation - Newfoundland

on 1949 Canadian government gave Prince Edward Island

$80,000 for joining confederation Little in common with people of Canada Drop in prices of fish, seal oil, - faced bankruptcy Business community and Roman Catholic Church:

Anti-Confederates

Pei and Newfoundland

Newfoundland

Prince Edward Island ------------>

The Constitution Act (1867) Constitution Act of 1867 occurred on March 29th (constitutions are

rules that govern a country) Purpose: Union of Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) Canada was divided up into 4 divisions:

- Ontario- Quebec- The Maritime Provinces- N.S., N.B., and P.E.I.- The Western Provinces- Manitoba, B.C., Saskatchewan, and

Alberta Formerly called BNA act (British North America Act) Act outlined the Distribution of Powers between central parliament

and the provincial legislatures Canada’s constitution was written and unwritten, U.S. constitution:

written, Britain’s constitution: unwritten

Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s First Prime Minister Born January 10th, 1815 in Glasgow, Scotland Died June 6th 1891 Had severe stroke 1 week before his death

(couldn’t talk due to stroke) Brought four western provinces into confederation

(Manitoba, B.C., Saskatchewan, Alberta) Was 1st Prime Minister of Canada Started off a very poor lawyer, then climbed up to

be Prime Minister of Canada

British North America Act and Canada’s System of

Federalism British North America Act (BNA act) Created Dominion of Canada in 1867 Stated the powers of provincial and federal governments Outlined the way in which government would be

structured Guaranteed protection of some minority groups Goal was to create federal union or confederation of

colonies of British North America

When Did Canada Finally Do Away With the BNA Act?

Stands for: British North America Act Main written constitution from 1867-1982 Won independence in 1931, but still

required British approval Got total independence because of changes

made to BNA Act British North America Act renamed:

Constitution Act of 1867

ReferencesClark, McKay, et al. (1992). Canada Revisited. Edmonton: Arnold Publishing Ltd.

The Charlottetown Conference 1964. (2001). Retrieved May 31, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/2/2/h2-1270-e.html

The Fathers of Confederation at the London Conference 1866. (Online Picture). Retrieved May 31 from the Internet:

www.collectionscanada.ca/confederation/023001-2300-e.html

A. A. Dorion. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/.../023001-2309-e.html

John A. Macdonald. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/2/2/h2-1924-e.html

A. A. Dorion. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/.../023001-2309-e.html

John A. Macdonald. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/2/2/h2-1924-e.html

A. A. Dorion. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/.../023001-2309-e.html

John A. Macdonald. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 3, 2007 from the Internet:www.collectionscanada.ca/2/2/h2-1924-e.html

PEI Flag. (Online Picture). Retrieved June 6, 2007 from the Internet:www.saskschools.ca

Newfoundland Flag. (Online Picture) Retrieved June 6, 2007 from the Internet:

www.geographic.org