Factors%20Leading%20to%20Canadian%20Confederation

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Factors Leading to Canadian Confederation
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Overview 6 Factors

1. The Threat of an American Takeover
2. Political Deadlock in Upper Lower Canada
3. The Trouble with Trade
4. Fenian Raids
5. The Need for Rail Links
6. Changing British Attitudes

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Situation in the USA

• From 1861 until 1865, the Americans had been
  fighting in brutal a civil war.
• A civil war is a war between people who live in
  the same country.
• In the American Civil War, the northern states
  were fighting against the south.
• The south was fighting to break away from the
  rest of the USA, but the north did not want this
  to happen.

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• U.S. Purchased Alaska from Russia
• American settlers, railways were moving close to
  the Red River Settlement
• Gold Rush brought many Americans to the colony of
  British Colombia.

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Manifest Destiny spreads her wings over North
America
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Panic Attack!

• When the north won the civil war in 1865,
  Canadians worried that they would send their army
  into Canada as a way of getting back at Britain
• Many American newspapers and politicians were
  discussing the takeover of Canada at this time.
• Many Americans believed in Manifest
  Destiny, the belief
• that one day the USA would
• control all of North America.

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Video Clip

• Watch the following clip from Canada A Peoples
  History about the growing concern from the
  American Civil War.

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Your Turn

• Do you believe that the threat of American take
  over was a legitimate concern?
• If you were a political leader in Upper or Lower
  Canada in the 1860s would you have pushed for
  confederation to occur or be happy with remaining
  a British colony? Why or why not?

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Political Deadlock

• To settle the dispute between the French and
  English within Upper and Lower Canada during the
  Rebellions of 1836-37, the British Government
  decided that the fairest way to establish a
  government was to give each side equal
  representation.

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Equal Representation Problem

• I need two volunteers to come to the front. Each
  side is given a scenario that they believe in and
  when the vote happens both are to vote for what
  they believe.

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• What is the outcome?
• What problems does this outcome pose?
• How could any laws be passed?

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• As a result of equal representation, our
  government became very ineffective.
• Leaders such as Sir. John A. MacDonald finally
  got annoyed and tried to establish a new system
  of government by expanding the colony and thus
  expanding the number of votes available to
  hopefully pass laws.

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The Trouble With Trade

• British North America had been enjoying a special
  arrangement (the corn law) where they could
  trade with Britain at reduced prices and a low
  amount of tax.
• Under the Corn Laws, Canadian products such as
  wheat and flour could be imported by Britain at
  cost that was lower than growing it themselves.
• America did not enjoy this preferential
  treatment, and had to pay higher taxes to trade
  with Britain

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Corn Laws Explained!

• The corn laws were good for Canada because they
  allowed the country to export raw materials
  overseas
• The export of products makes revenue (money) for
  Canada, which increases the wealth and economy of
  the nation.
• Without the corn laws, Canada would have to
  compete against the rest of the world and pay the
  same taxes as everyone else!

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(No Transcript)
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Fenian Raids

• Irish in U.S who fought against Britain
• Figured if they captured British Colonies the
  British would leave Ireland. Attacked Canada
  several times.

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(No Transcript)
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What Effect Did the Raids Have?

• 1. Sir John A. argued a strong united nation
  would be more able to resist Fenians.
• 2. Growing feeling of resentment towards U.S
  More reason to be united.

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The Need for Rail Links

• Very Important to have a railway for effective
  trade.
• Grand Trunk Railway Project to connect Canada
  West to Maritimes
• Only way to finish it was to be united. Share
  expenses.

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• Railway is essential for
• Trade
• Defense against U.S easier movement of troops
• Confederation

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No Money, No Train.

• People realized that the track could only be
  completed if expenses were shared between all the
  colonies
• This link was essential for the defense of
  Canada, as troops could be moved quickly.
• A railway link between the colonies was
  essential for trade and defense.
• John A. MacDonald was
• determined to see his dream
• through

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A Change of Heart

• In 1846, Britain suddenly announced that it was
  no longer giving Canada special treatment.
• Britain replaced the corn laws with free trade,
  which meant that Britain would allow goods to
  enter the country without any taxes/tariffs,
  making them cheaper to buy sell.
• This made Canadians upset and caused serious
  problems with the economy of British North
  America.

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Bring on Confederation!!
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Your Task

• Option 1
• Create a visual timeline based on historical
  research illustrating all the events leading to
  Canadian Confederation.
• Option 2
• Create an editorial written report based on
  researched facts and opinions that clearly states
  whether you believe the decision to pursue
  Confederation was the right or wrong decision.