Transcript Reasons for Confederation

Reasons for Confederation
1.
Political Deadlock and the Great Coalition
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Parties in the Legislative Assembly
Canada West
Canada East
Liberal-Conservative Party
John A. MacDonald
Le Parti Bleu
George-Etienne Cartier
vs.
Reform Party
vs.
Le Parti Rouge
George Brown
A.A. Dorion
1. Political Deadlock and the Great Coalition
• Union of the Canada’s (Act of Union 1840), resulted in no
political party getting the support of majority of the Legislative
Assembly.
• Equal Representation resulted in a Political Deadlock because of
equal # of reps. from Canada West and Canada East voted
against each other and no legislation could be passed. Needed a
Double Majority.
• To form a government with a majority, at least one party from
each section had to co-operate in a coalition.
The Great Coalition
•
In the 1860’s, this proved difficult and resulted in frequent elections
and changes of government.
•
In 1864, George Brown announced he was willing to work with his
political enemies (hug it out)
•
Members willing to work together and could stay in power long enough
to pass laws and make improvements
Members of The Great Coalition
Great Coalition
George Brown
Clear Grits
Thomas D’arcy McGee
Galt
Independent
John A. MacDonald
Conservatives
George E. Cartier
French
Reasons for Confederation
2. Railway
•
MacDonald keen making Canada on a nation stretching coast to coast
•
Railway would support trade and prevent US annexation. In case of war
(from USA), a railway would move troops quickly from colony to colony.
•
Mail and goods travel to colonies much quicker; share building costs.
•
Give merchants from Montreal a means of getting their goods out of
Canada East even in the winter (St. Lawrence River freezing)
3. Trade with the United States
• Because British North American colonies were part of the
British Empire, they received favoured status when they traded
with Britain (low taxes or no tariffs).
• Purpose of Tariffs: Prevents other countries from underselling
our products.
• Problem: In 1846, Britain entered a period of free trade. They
could now buy goods from whichever country sold them at the
lowest price. Mercantilism over, Corn Laws repealed.
• Result: British North American colonies lost their special status
with Britain; economic hardship occurred.
3. Trade with the United States
• Solution: From 1854 to 1865, there was free trade between the
British North American colonies and the United States under
the Reciprocity Treaty.
RECIPROCITY TREATY
• BNA colonies could sell their products to the US without paying
tariffs when products entered or left the country.
• This allowed agricultural products and raw materials to be sold
across the border without high tariffs being paid.
• The colonies had stronger trade links with the United States
than with each other.
Reciprocity Treaty
• Gave USA the right
to fish in New
Brunswick, Nova
Scotia and PEI
waters.
• Gave Newfoundland
fish, NS coal, NB
timber, Cdn flour,
free access to USA.
3. Trade with the United States
• Problem: In 1865 the US ended the Reciprocity Treaty; colonies
realized they needed to trade among themselves to open
markets and improve economic situation.
• People in the colonies of British North America began to think
of joining together so they could trade among themselves with
no tariffs.
• They hoped this would increase their economic prosperity.
• Corn Laws (access for Cdn. Grains) repealed.
• Would Britain still get lumber from New Brunswick?
4. Threat of American Expansion
•
Idea that if they united, they would be better able to defend themselves.
•
The relationship between the British North American colonies and the US was
uneasy because Britain had supported the South in the American Civil War.
•
After obtaining lands formerly controlled by Spain, Mexico, France and Great
Britain, many Americans believed it was their fate to occupy all of North
America. “Manifest Destiny” YouTube - Manifest Destiny
•
Vancouver Island and BC could be taken over by the United States.
•
Picture below is a battle between Fenians and British soldiers in 1866 at Ridgeway (near Niagra)
4. Threat of American Expansion
•
Fenian (Irish Catholics who lived in USA) wanted to end British rule
over Ireland. Decided to attack Britain’s colony in Canada, (British
North America) Canadian Military - Fenian Raids
•
Fenians made several armed raids across the BNA border; more of a
psychological threat; politicians pushing for Confederation used this to
push Nationhood idea. The Fenian Raids
•
Assassinated D’arcy McGee, one of Fathers of Confederation, who was
bitterly opposed to the Fenian Raids (one of few Canadian politicians to
be assassinated).
5. Changing British Attitudes
•
In the mid 1860’s, Great Britain’s attitude towards her colonies began
to change.
•
Since the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, the policies of mercantilism
were no longer in effect.
•
Opinion was divided as to whether the colonies were still a benefit to
Great Britain.
•
Very expensive to govern overseas (gov’t buildings, salaries, armies,
forts, administration).
•
British governors in each of the colonies were told to encourage the
colonies to unite (Confederation)
•
Britain’s decision to encourage union was important because the BNA
colonists were intensely loyal to Britain.
5. Changing British Attitudes
In Favour of Colonies
Against Keeping Colonies
• Source of raw materials
• Burden on British tax-payers
• Market for manufactured
goods
• Felt BNA should pay for
their own government and
defense
• Opportunity to emigrate
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