THE ROAD TO

CONFEDERATION
SOCIAL STUDIES 10
RESOLVING POLITICAL DEADLOCK

Until 1867, the colonies of BNA were separate and

independent
They were friendly, but each colony had its own government,
similar to small countries.
Problems in Canada East and West governments
Filled with independent politicians few major parties
They often could not agree and the government was not able
to make decisions.
They tried to make coalitions (unions) but they failed and new
governments would have to be created.
Deadlock
 CHANGING BRITISH ATTITUDE

TOO EXPENSIVE:
It was becoming too expensive
for Britain to govern, defend, and
economically support the
colonies
CHANGING TRADING
RELATIONS:
1846: British Government repeals
(cancelled) the Corn Laws
These laws had previously forced
Britain to purchase its grains/corn
from Canada
NO MORE ECONOMIC BOOST FOR
CANADA
TRADE BETWEEN COLONIES: A NEW
NECESSITY
Repealing of the Corn
Laws drove Canada into
a depression
Depression: part of the
economic cycle; when a
countrys economy is in a
very poor state
Confederation would
mean:
larger trade markets
more industry - production
of goods in Canada
Better transportation
systems through the railway
 THE AMERICAN THREAT

American politicians made

speeches about Manifest
Destiny
The desire for the USA to
control all of North America

How could Confederation

help?
The US less likely to invade a
united country which could
support its borders through a
combined military.
 THE GREAT COALITION

George Brown & Sir John A.

Macdonald rival party leaders
in Canada West (Ontario)
George Etienne-Cartier party
leader in Canada East
(Quebec)
---------------------------------------------
1864: these men formed the
Great Coalition of Canada East
and West) to promote
Confederation/a Federal Union
to the rest of the colonies
 CONCERNS FROM THE MARITIMES

Colonies such as NS, NB, PEI,

and NFL worried that they
would not be equal partners
with Canada East/West in a
new government.
Representation by Population
would give them less influence
and seats in a federal
government.
-------------------------------------------
However many still desired
better protection from
Americans and more trading
opportunities
 THE CONFERENCES

The Quebec Conference

Organized to work out the details of confederation
Produced 72 Resolutions
Provincial governments keep many powers
A blueprint for Canada

The London Conference

Approval of the British government was still needed
1867: The British North American [BNA] Act is passed
Dominion of Canada created
Included New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of
Canada [Canada West / East]
 CONFEDERATION

The British North America Act is signed on July 1st, 1867

- ------------------------ ------------------------- -
John A. Macdonald is the first Prime Minister of Canada.