Canadian Confederation 1860-1867

Chapter Overview

• This chapter explores the path to Canadian Confederation between 1860-1867.
• It discusses whether Confederation was the best option for the colonies.
• The chapter examines the significance, reasons, and challenges of Confederation.
• Perspectives on unifying British North America are analyzed, and primary source texts are closely read.

Confederation

• Confederation is a union or alliance among the British North American colonies.
• Many Canadians celebrate Canada Day on July 1st, marking the country's official birthday.
• Political leaders attended conferences between 1864 and 1867 to discuss and establish Confederation.
• Artist Rex Woods created the painting "The Fathers of Confederation" in 1967.
• The decision-making process of Confederation did not include all voices.

What Led to the Idea of Confederation?

• The colonies in British North America were developing quickly.
• Separating the eastern and western colonies was Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory, controlled by the British through the Hudson's Bay Company.
• By 1864, the Hudson's Bay Company sought to sell interests in these territories due to fur trade decline.
• Separate colonial governments remain part of Britain but operated independently, pursuing individual interests.
• Colonies had their own governments and faced unique political, economic, and military issues.
• Confederation presented a possible solution.
• According to Thomas D’Arcy McGee, Confederation would result in a great nationality bound by free institutions and commerce.
• British North America threatened by the United States due to its size and inadequate defence capabilities.
• American settlers sought more land, displacing First Nations like the Potawatomi and Cheyenne.
• Americans believed their manifest destiny was to take over all of North America.
• Manifest destiny is the American belief in the right and duty to expand throughout North America.

American Civil War and Annexation Threats

• From 1861-1865, the United States was engaged in a civil war of secession over slavery.
• Britain remained neutral, trading with both the northern and southern states.
• The northern states won, ending slavery but increasing American resentment toward Britain, and therefore British North America.
• A well-trained American army had no battles to fight after the Civil War, posing a potential threat.
• Annexation is when one territory takes over another territory.
• Fear of American annexation grew with the introduction of an Annexation bill in the United States Congress in 1866.
• Alaska purchased by the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million.
• The United States owning Alaska was a cause for concern in British North America.

Threats from Irish Nationalists

• The Fenians were an Irish Republican Brotherhood opposing British rule, posing another threat.
• They plotted an armed invasion of British North America, hoping to take the colonies hostage until Ireland gained independence.
• Colonists feared Fenian immigrants in the United States would spill over into British North America.

Historical Significance: Fenian Raids

• The Fenian raids involved small, failed invasions into British North America between 1866 and 1871.
• The Fenian mission began in April 1866, targeting Campobello Island, New Brunswick.
• An attack on June 2, 1866, resulted in 800 Fenians crossing from Buffalo, New York, into Canada West.
• 10 colonial soldiers died at the battle at Ridgeway.
• The Fenian raids heightened distrust of American authorities and led to increased militia training and support for uniting the colonies to strengthen defences.
• Voters in New Brunswick elected pro-Confederation politicians due partly to the Fenian threat.
• Alexander James Christie stated that the Canadian public believed that the American Authorities were not overly anxious to preserve peace on the borders
• It shows that they were surprised that the Fenians made the raid, but not at all that they should have escaped the attention of the American Authorities

Economic Factors

• North America had been a source of riches for Britain for >200 years.
• Britain had fought many battles to keep control of resources like timber
• In the 1860s, Britain helped protect the colonies from the Fenians, and the United States
• More than 10 000 troops sent to British North America to defend it from dangers posed by the American Civil War (1862)
• Defence costs were a concern for Britain, and troop deployment was challenging.
• The London times reports that Britain would Naturally rejoice if British North America was better able to protect itself

Need for New Markets

• The Reciprocity Treaty canceled by the United States in 1865
• British North America lost the favorable tax rate and eager to find new markets for their products and resources
• Breaking down of trade barriers between provinces, combined markers

Challenges to Confederation

• By the mid-1860s, facing threats from the United States and internal conflicts
• The Province of Canada had conflicts between French-Catholic and English-Protestant groups.
• Resolving these conflicts made Canada an unlikely project

Conflicts in the Province

• The Conservative party and Liberal party leadership were divided over issues concerning French rights
• Confederation would ensure the conflicts would be resolved

The Great Coalition

• Macdonald, Brown, Cartier: alliance June 1864, known as the Great Coalition.
• Creating a federal system for the Canadas, expanding other colonies in British North America.
• A legislative union governing and making strong central laws or federal governments with more power with the central government as well. Run things on the individual affairs
• British officials supported governments
• There were groups to didn't support the leaders

Concerns in Canada East

• J.B.E. Dorion, a journalist from Canada East
• conflict favoring to general departments local

Concerns in the Atlantic colonies

• Atlantic colonies had trade relationships with the US, Britain and Beyond
• There was limited support for Confederation
• Population limited had population has less supporting confederation

Prince Edward Island

• people develop connections of strong trading ties with the United States.
• Trading fishing was a great success
• Lower Province delegates- cowardly conduct by British parliament ( Edward Palmer)

Nova Scotia

• Secure from-government ( Joseph howe) letters arguing against

Newfoundland

• Limited trading with United States
• Government took 25% in government, spent support local

New Brunswick

• Had limited trading with United States
• Smith: in New Years 205-215-120 means

A Possible Maritime Union

• Destruction colonies, (Arthur Hamilton Gordon)

Inclusion of the Northwest Region

• the byson and First Nation
• Brought together Excluded.

Connect to the Past

• The Youth council shares a relationship
• The You activity for that team

Dominion of Canada

• July 1, 1867 was the Dominion holiday
• Queen Victoria's proclamation to the Dominion of Canada
• Was appointed president of Canada by President.
• Political tensions with the Quebec and Ottawa