Pre-Confederation Canada and Its Founding Fathers

Canada Before Confederation (1860)

• Canada was vulnerable to a potential attack from the Yankees, and there was no unified government or rules to govern the region.
• The French and English had historical tensions, leading to a "Wild Wild West" style environment.
• John A. Macdonald was the leader of the Liberal-Conservative Party in Canada West and would later become the first Prime Minister of Canada.

Key Figures

• John A. Macdonald:
  • Built the railway.
  • Created the Manitoba Act.
• George-Etienne Cartier:
  • Leader of Les Bleus in Canada East.
  • Advocated for federalism to give Canadiens control and protection.

Original Four Provinces

• The original four provinces to join Confederation were:
  • East province of Canada (now Quebec).
  • West province of Canada (now Ontario).
  • Nova Scotia.
  • New Brunswick.

Factors Leading to Confederation

• Military and Security Factors:
  • Fear of Yankees attacking Canada.

Consensus Decision Making

• Consensus is when everyone has to agree.
• Representation by Population (Rep by Pop) means more representation based on population.

Manifest Destiny

• An American belief that it is the natural right of the United States to control all of North America.

Ottawa as the Capital

• Located at the intersection of three rivers for easy transportation.
• Borders Canada East and West, making it a central location.
• Close to the US border for defense purposes.

Federal and Provincial Powers

• After the British North America Act was signed, the Federal government took over:
  • Indigenous land rights.

The Metis and Red River Colony

• The Metis were angry at the Canadian government for:
  • Selling their land without permission.
  • Ignoring their rights.
  • The Pemmican Proclamation.
  • Sending scientists to test their land.

Who were the Metis?

• The Metis were people of mixed First Nations and European ancestry.
• They lived in the Red River region in Winnipeg.
• They spoke the language of Michif, a mix of Cree, French, English, and Anishanabe.

The Country Born Metis

• They were the children of First Nations women and British traders from the Hudson's Bay Company.

Lord Selkirk

• Philanthropist from Scotland.
• Bought land from the Hudson's Bay Company and gave it to Scottish settlers.

Battle of Seven Oaks

• A conflict between First Nations and Scottish settlers.
• Showed the Unified Metis Resistance.
• 21 Scottish settlers died, and 1 Metis died.

Key Figures in the Red River Rebellion

• Louis Riel:
  • Leader of the Rebel and Metis provisional government.
  • Translator who spoke English, French, and Metis.
  • Escaped to the US.
• Thomas Scott:
  • Soldier from Ottawa.
  • Captured and killed by the Metis.
  • Said Louis Riel would never be forgiven.
• Gabriel Dumont:
  • Hunter and leader of the provisional government.
  • Hunt chief of the Metis.

Manitoba Act (1870)

• Made Manitoba a province.
• Led to the influx of English settlers, resulting in the loss of land and less federal control.

Canada in 1870

• Manitoba became a province.
• The railway was built.
• Soldiers moved in.
• Resistance and conflict occurred.
• Louis Riel died.
• Starvation and poverty were widespread.
• The buffalo population declined.

1870 Provinces

• Ontario.
• Quebec.
• Nova Scotia.
• Manitoba.
• British Columbia.

Metis Culture and Identity

• The sash (a long, colourful belt) is an important symbol of Metis identity.
• The Metis have a distinct culture and history, drawing on diverse ancestral origins such as Scottish, Irish, French, Ojibway, and Cree.
• The Red River Jig is a traditional dance performed by Metis and First Nations people.
• Beaded flowers are a form of Metis art, featuring patches beaded with one different colour bead.