1. Confederation

3. Challenges Facing Soon-To-Be Canada
Political Challenges
Economic Challenges & Geographic Challenges
Territory Challenges & Trade Challenges
Britain’s gentle Nudge

4. Political Challenges
The government was awful because Canada West & Canada East continued to block/veto each other’s decisions
In 1861: Canada West had just about as many as Canada East
George Brown (politician) wanted a “Rep by Pop”
Which would benefit Canada West
There were still more people there

5. Political Challenges
John A. Macdonald (Canada West) & George-Etienne Cartier (Canada East) worked together to disallow this proposition made by Brown
All 3 of them realized that they would not get anywhere and the Act of Union was not working
Remember: Act of Union united the Colonies of Upper and Lower Canada

6. Economic & Geographic Challenges
Britain always gave itself preferential treatment when it came to the economy.
Corn Laws: Placed a lower import tax on wheat and grains coming to Britain from British Colonies
This was repealed in 1846
Now BNA had to compete with other countries
Put BNA into an economic recession
BNA began to look internally to trade their goods

8. Plan for the Future
How do you think the Canadian colonies established trade links with one another?
What form of transportation was used to move these goods?
Cost.

9. Territory & Trade Challenges: American Civil War
Several Southern States “withdrew” from the Northern States, forming the Confederate States of America
Slave laws played a big part in the war
Britain and France played no part in this war
Although Britain was involved in the cotton business in the south.
The Union (North US) tried to block the ships from going to Britain but the British made ships called blockade runners
This increased tension between the USA and Britain

10. American Civil War

11. Territory & Trade Challenges: Manifest Destiny
Fear that USA thought that Britain sided with the Confederate South, feared that the US would become and enemy
Manifest Destiny: Belief that the USA was destined, by God, to control all of North America
Created by and American reporter John O’ Sullivan
God is a powerful motivator

13. Territory & Trade Challenges: End of Reciprocity
1854: USA & BNA agreed to a reciprocity agreement allowing free trade between the two
Lumber, grain, coal, livestock, and fish
1866: This agreement was cancelled, cutting the ties between the two
USA hoped by ending this agreement, it would cripple the economy of British North America, forcing them to join the States
What will soon be Canada, just lost trade agreements with two major partners in the past 20 years

14. Britain’s Gentle Nudge
After the 1840s, Britain no longer saw their colonies as a benefit to their empire
By 1860s, Britain wanted North America to assume more responsibility of their own finances
Less of a burden on British taxpayers
Thank goodness she is leaving….

15. Britain’s Gentle Nudge
Felt it would help their relationship with USA if BNA was independent
It was too much work to manage BNA relationship with the USA as well as Britain’s
Little baby Canada

16. Finding Political Solutions
John A. Macdonald, George Brown, & George-Etienne Cartier all came together to form The Great Coalition
Their goal was to create a union of all British North America Colonies
Atlantic colonies were skeptical about confederation because their small numbers would lead to a lack of voice in government
Thought about a Maritime Union
A combining of all the maritime provinces to create a bigger entity
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island

17. The Charlottetown Conference
Macdonald was able to persuade the Maritime provinces to be in favour of the idea of uniting
Civil War threat from the USA was less if they were all together
Centralized government
Take on the debts of the maritime provinces
Big deal because the railroad costs a lot

18. The Quebec Conference
Oct. 1864: meeting in Quebec to discus the confederation of colonies
All agreed to keep some British ties and to have a Federal government
Which means there would be more than one level
Federal: Oversee the needs of the entire region
Provincial: Look after specific regional concerns
Agreed on a house of commons where they would meet
Drafted 72 resolutions on how the country would be run

19. British North America Act
After a couple years of debate, the BNA Act was officially signed on March 29, 1867.
This declared that the provinces would be unified under the name Dominion of Canada
Was to take effect on July 01, 1867.
Consisted of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick
PEI and NFLD delegates did not attend this conference and were still against confederation

20. The New Canadian Government
The dominion of Canada was influenced by both Britain and the USA for their government
Britain: Centralized government that oversaw everything (Federal)
USA: Federal as well as a localized government to represent each state (Provincial)
Federal Government still
had the ultimate say

21. The New Canadian Government: Constitutional Monarchy
King or Queen of Britain is Canada’s head of state (final authority)
However, Canada created a Governor General who acts on behalf of the King or Queen
The governor gives all the laws or bills, their Royal Assent
Which means seal of approval

22. The New Canadian Government: The Parliamentary System
Parliament would have a House of Commons (HoC)
Members were elected by the general population
Only men were able to vote at the time of confederation
The Senate was in charge of regional interests
Knowledgeable and experienced group to carefully review bills passed by the HoC
Senate and HoC are in charge of appointing a Prime Minister and their cabinet (advisors to the Prime Minister)
This group has all the power