Colonies to Province British Columbia

From Colonies to Confederation Physical Context Human Context Indigenous European Explorers European Leaders Joining Confederation Timeline Demands Taking its Place

Physical Context

Human Context- Indigenous Peoples

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Confederation- Timeline

Confederation (?) Three options for BC after 1867: 1. Remain a Crown Colony (Status Quo) 2. Annexation to the United States 3. Confederation (pg 178) Three main problems for Confederation: 1. Geography -Distance from Ottawa and London 2. Economic – Links to US which was more developed (transportation/communication – railroads/telegraphs) 3. Defence – Britain needed base on the Pacific but Esquimalt expensive to maintain

Confederation (?) Three options for BC after 1867: 1. Remain a Crown Colony (Status Quo) 2. Annexation to the United States 3. Confederation (pg 178)

Confederation (?) ColonyProvinceState

Confederation- The “Players” Anti-Confederation led by J.S. Helmckem, he like Governor Seymour, did not think Confederation practical Pro-Confederation position most vocal leader was Amor de Cosmos who thought Confederation would lead to “Responsible Government” Annexationists were mostly merchants in Victoria who thought joining the US would strengthen the economy

Confederation- Opposing Forces Gov. Seymour died in 1869 Gov. Musgrave, who advocated Confederation, was a friend of Canadian PM Sir John A MacDonald, replaced Seymour. BC’s Assembly was divided by members from Vancouver Island who opposed confederation and members from the Mainland who supported it. Colonial officials in BC (mostly British) also opposed it. Musgrave needed to reconcile these groups

Confederation: Musgrave’s Solution: 1870 He guaranteed Colonial officials pensions and jobs from the Canadian government Colonial officials were also alarmed by Annexationists by forcing them to chose between Canada or the US Musgrave chose Helmcken, Carrol and Joseph Trutch to be delegates to Ottawa for the Confederation negotiations The Canadians gave in to all their demands: the railway was to built in two years, BC’s debt paid, etc. AND gave responsible government

Confederation

Confederation- A good deal? Yes- CanadaYes- BC No- CanadaNo- BC

Confederation- Taking its Place

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