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Published byMelvyn Curtis Modified over 9 years ago
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1838 - 1891
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The Union Act of 1841 Upper and Lower Canada were united under one government Equal representation in the Assembly Upper Canada’s debt was pooled with Lower Canada’s much smaller debt English would be the only official language of government
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What does that mean? A confederation is a group of people or organizations brought together for a common purpose What came together to form Canada? A number of colonies They became provinces Stronger yet – A NATION! What kind of government resulted? Two levels of government with a division of powers: Provincial – weak Federal – strong
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1. War and expansionism in the U.S 2. Fenian (Irish-American veterans) raids 3. British trade policy 4. Mutual Exchange (reciprocity) with U.S. ends 5. Need for Railway 6. British economic support fades
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Britain claimed neutrality during the American Civil War (1861 – 1865) In reality, they supported the Southern Confederacy Southern soldiers stage raids on Northern states out of Canada British North America fear retaliation by Northern U.S. to get back at Britain
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Manifest Destiny – a belief among many post-American Civil War politicians that the U.S. was destined to control North American and this notion was backed by God. Manifest means “apparent” or “understood”. Was promoted by some in the U.S. God directed right to take over all of North America 1867 – U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia ($26 million) American settlers, railways, trade pressing West and surrounding Red River settlement Gold Rush in BC drawing thousands of Americans into colony
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Before 1845, British North America colonies had favored trade with Britain Preferential Trade – a trading post which gives special access to certain products from certain countries. This is done by reducing tariffs, but does not remove them completely In 1846, Britain ended preference and now allowed goods from all countries without charging taxes Caused financial pressure on colonies In 1854, British North America entered into Reciprocity Treaty – free trade between countries where goods can be traded without tariffs (import taxes) U.S. ended treaty in 1865 British North America Colonies suffered
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Trade among colonies needed rail system In 1850, only 106 km of line existed Most of rail business going to Americans Colonists sought to build own rail lines Between 1850 – 1867, 2 570 km of line was added Grand Trunk Railway wanted to join Canada West to Halifax Expensive and nearly went bankrupt Solution was uniting to share costs Railway would improve communication and trade Increase security and defense of British North America
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Britain looked at British North America colonies as a huge expense Defense is expensive Wanted colonies to pay own way and become independent New attitude came at time of Fenian raids and U.S. westward expansion
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United Canada in 1860 had severe political deadlock – a situation where little or no bills or legislation can be passed in Parliament because no one government has the majority to pass the bills. Creates a situation where government stops working. Government and opposition have almost the same number of seats Government was on pause
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The province of Canada (Quebec and Ontario) consisted of two opposing forces Conservatives (English Canadians) Canada West – John A. Macdonald’s “Liberal Conservative Party” Canada East – George Etienne Cartier’s parti blue Reformers: (French Canadians) Canada West – George Brown’s Reform Party Canada East – Antoine-Aime Dorion’s parti rouge
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John A. Macdonald George-Etienne Cartier George Brown Antoine-Aime Dorion
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In total, there were 36 original ‘Fathers of Confederation’ including the key figures mentioned in the previous slides.
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September 1 – 9, 1864 In the spring, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI were contemplating the possibility of Maritime Union. This interest sparked the Charlottetown Conference Representatives from UC and LC attended the conference A conclusion was made – this idea of a union warranted discussion So, more meetings
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Canadian delegation proposed the following foundations for a new country Preservation of ties with Great Britain Residual jurisdiction left to a central authority A bicameral system including a Lower House with representation by population and an Upper House with representation based on regional, rather than provincial Equality Responsible government at the federal and provincial levels, and The appointment of a governor general by the British Crown
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