8.1 Confederation Issues

Did you know... not every province joined Canada at the same time.  At the time we had Canada East (Lower Canada) and Canada West (Upper Canada). Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island were British colonies and had yet to form provinces.

Think-Pair-Share

For one minute...on your handout, jot down a few possible answers to this question:

In your own words, why might smaller colonies like PEI or Newfoundland have hesitated to join Confederation?

For 1-2 minutes... discuss your responses with a desk partner.

For 3 minutes....share with the class one thing your group came up with. 

political deadlock - the inability to decide on a course of action because of disagreement among equally powerful decision makers.

guarantee - promise with legal backing

secure - to get, to make sure of

constitution - the official set of rules about how a country is governed

annexation - takeover of a territory by another country

mercantilism - a regulated economic system that made a country rich from its colonies

tariff - an extra charge

The first conference held to help establish Confederation was held:

• In 1864

• Charlottetown, PEI

Four Key Confederation Leaders

These four leaders formed an alliance to help promote the Confederation and encourage the other colonies of British North America to join the cause.

John A. Macdonald

Scottish born, John Alexander Macdonald arrived in Canada with his parents in 1820.  

• volunteered with men who defeated Makenzi's rebels in 1837

• skilled lawyer

• believed agreement was reach by accommodating others

  • wanted each provinces to have power over their own affairs

• first prime minister

George-Étienne Cartier

• born in Lower Canada

• fought with the Patriotes in 1837

• lived in Vermont after being exiled

• although opposition to Macdonald during the rebellion, they worked together for Confederation

• did not want a republic government 

• fought for French language and Catholic religion

• died in 1872 - 5 years after Confederation

• when he died, the House of Commons broke down in tears

George Brown

• came to Canada West from Scotland

• founder of the Globe newspaper; now known as the Globe and Mail

• did not support Confederation at first

• believed representation by population

• would have given English-speaking Canadians a majority in the assembly

• in 1864, he supported Confederation

• died from an gunshot wound to the leg, after it became infected

Étienne-Paschal Taché

• a patriote during Rebellions of 1837 and 1838

• passionate advocate for confederation

• believed your heritage can be protected as a province of Canada

• instrumental in the establishment of the "Great Coalition"

• died in 1865 before Confederation was finalized

After reading page 247 and 248, respond to the question above. When developing your responst, think back to the events that lead to the American Revolution and compare with the talks that part of confederation.

• Some Canadians think Canada's identity is different from America's because of how each country began. What events in this article show how Canada's beginning was different from the more violent beginning of the United States?

  • • • 1 mark - identifying an event

      • 2 marks - explaining how the event contrasts with the U.S.

      • 2 marks - additional examples or details.