Confederation
Canada will become a country in 1867
Embedded Files
British North America (Canada) in 1864
British North America (Canada) in 1864
Leaders in British North America
Leaders in British North America
Canada West - John A. Macdonald (will be Canada's first Prime Minister)
Canada West - John A. Macdonald (will be Canada's first Prime Minister)
Canada East - Étienne-Paschal Taché
Canada East - Étienne-Paschal Taché
Newfoundland — Hugh Hoyles
Newfoundland — Hugh Hoyles
New Brunswick — Samuel Leonard Tilley
New Brunswick — Samuel Leonard Tilley
Nova Scotia – Charles Tupper
Nova Scotia – Charles Tupper
Prince Edward Island – John Hamilton Gray
Prince Edward Island – John Hamilton Gray
NOTE:
NOTE:
British Columbia was a British colony but not a province until 1871
British Columbia was a British colony but not a province until 1871
Rupert's Land was owned by the Hudson Bay Company used for fur trading, purchased by Canada for $1.5 million in 1870
Rupert's Land was owned by the Hudson Bay Company used for fur trading, purchased by Canada for $1.5 million in 1870
Why Become a Country?
Why Become a Country?
1. The American Threat
1. The American Threat
UNCLE TOM'S CABIN
UNCLE TOM'S CABIN
An anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U.S. and is said to have "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War".
An anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U.S. and is said to have "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War".
*most read novel of the 19th Century
*most read novel of the 19th Century
Slavery had divided the United States.
Slavery had divided the United States.
Remember, the southern states made most of their money using slaves as laborers in agriculture. The southern states produced 75% of the world's cotton!
Remember, the southern states made most of their money using slaves as laborers in agriculture. The southern states produced 75% of the world's cotton!
Out of fear that slavery would be abolished and destroy their business, most slave states joined the Confederation, wanting to become their own country.
Out of fear that slavery would be abolished and destroy their business, most slave states joined the Confederation, wanting to become their own country.
The Union (the states in the north) fought against this idea, which resulted in the American Civil War.
The Union (the states in the north) fought against this idea, which resulted in the American Civil War.
Interesting Facts of the American Civil War
Interesting Facts of the American Civil War
- The Union Army of 2,100,000 soldiers was nearly twice the size of the Confederate Army of 1,064,000.
- It was the deadliest war in American history. There were around 210,000 soldiers killed in action and 625,000 total dead.
- Thirty percent of all Southern white males between the ages of 18 and 40 died in the war.
- Around 9 million people lived in the Southern states at the time of the Civil War. Around 3.4m were slaves.
- Sixty six percent of the deaths in the war were due to disease.
- Only 1 in 4 Southern farmers owned slaves, but it was the rich and powerful farmers who owned them.
- Many of the Southern men already knew how to shoot a gun from hunting. The Northern men tended to work in factories and many didn't know how to fire a gun.
- Bayonets were sharp blades attached to the end of rifles.
In this 1861 cartoon, John Bull, the symbol of Britain, asks "Brother Jonathan," a reference to the Americans, where they are running to. The Americans respond, "Just gwine [going] to take Canada."
A well-trained American army could easily take British North America (annexation).
A well-trained American army could easily take British North America (annexation).
This is an excerpt from the July 2, 1866, Annexation bill, calling for the colonies of British North America to be incorporated into the United States.
Union song sung by soldiers:
Union song sung by soldiers:
Secession first he would put down, Wholly and forever, And afterwards from Britain's crown, He Canada would sever.
Secession first he would put down, Wholly and forever, And afterwards from Britain's crown, He Canada would sever.
(Yankee marching song sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" 1861).
(Yankee marching song sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" 1861).
2. The Finnians
2. The Finnians
In the United States, some Irish soldiers who had served in the American Civil War joined the Fenians. They plotted an armed invasion of British North America. The Fenians believed that the British colonies were vulnerable to attack and planned to take them hostage until Britain granted independence to Ireland. Many colonists feared that sentiments among Fenian immigrants would spill over into British North America.
In the United States, some Irish soldiers who had served in the American Civil War joined the Fenians. They plotted an armed invasion of British North America. The Fenians believed that the British colonies were vulnerable to attack and planned to take them hostage until Britain granted independence to Ireland. Many colonists feared that sentiments among Fenian immigrants would spill over into British North America.
Orangeville Volunteers of 1866, Ready to Meet the Fenian Raiders
3. Change in Britain's Attitude Towards Its Colonies
3. Change in Britain's Attitude Towards Its Colonies
North America had been a source of riches for Britain for more than 200 years. To keep control of the land and its valuable fur, fish, and timber resources, Britain had fought many lengthy and costly battles.
North America had been a source of riches for Britain for more than 200 years. To keep control of the land and its valuable fur, fish, and timber resources, Britain had fought many lengthy and costly battles.
For example, Britain sent more than 10 000 troops to British North America to defend it from any danger posed by the American Civil War.
For example, Britain sent more than 10 000 troops to British North America to defend it from any danger posed by the American Civil War.
This statement was published in the London Times on October 15, 1864.
4. Better Together
4. Better Together
- In Canada West, John A. MacDonald (Conservative Party) and George Brown (Liberal Party) were arch rivals but agreed Confederation would be the best solution
- George-Etienne Cartier, the leader of Canada East, believed the union would also be best for the French
- The Great Coalition between these leaders were formed, with a vision of united all the British colonies together (August 1864)
C H A R L O T T E T O W N C O N F E R E N C E - September 1864
C H A R L O T T E T O W N C O N F E R E N C E - September 1864
The Maritime colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island considered creating their own union and met to discuss this possibility. Their biggest fear of joining Canada is the size difference in population and they might lose their voice and power.
The Maritime colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island considered creating their own union and met to discuss this possibility. Their biggest fear of joining Canada is the size difference in population and they might lose their voice and power.
John A. Mac Donald and friends asked to join the party which was called the Charlottetown Conference - a first of 3 sets of meetings held between 1864 and 1866.
John A. Mac Donald and friends asked to join the party which was called the Charlottetown Conference - a first of 3 sets of meetings held between 1864 and 1866.
This photo was taken on the steps of Government House in Charlottetown in September 1864.
R A I L W A Y S
R A I L W A Y S
The Maritimes wanted access to new trade partners in British North America. Railways were an importance condition to joining Canada.
The Maritimes wanted access to new trade partners in British North America. Railways were an importance condition to joining Canada.
On July 1, 1867 Canada West, Canada East, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia became one country: Canada!
On July 1, 1867 Canada West, Canada East, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia became one country: Canada!
Ultimately the construction of the railway brought P.E.I and British Columbia into the new country.
Ultimately the construction of the railway brought P.E.I and British Columbia into the new country.
Challenges:
Challenges:
1. Canada's First Political Scandal
1. Canada's First Political Scandal
In 1872, Sir Hugh Allan, a Canadian businessman, donated over $350,000 to Macdonald's election campaign. In return for the money, Macdonald told Allan that his company would get the contract to build the railway.
In 1872, Sir Hugh Allan, a Canadian businessman, donated over $350,000 to Macdonald's election campaign. In return for the money, Macdonald told Allan that his company would get the contract to build the railway.
2. Indigenous Land
2. Indigenous Land
The route of the railway travelled through the Northwest, affecting indigenous communities.
The route of the railway travelled through the Northwest, affecting indigenous communities.
3. Labour Shortage: Hired Chinese Workers
3. Labour Shortage: Hired Chinese Workers
Approximately 17,000 Chinese were hired and were expected to perform the most dangerous jobs. They received $1 per day compared to white workers who got between $1.50 and $2.50.
Approximately 17,000 Chinese were hired and were expected to perform the most dangerous jobs. They received $1 per day compared to white workers who got between $1.50 and $2.50.
T H E L A S T S P I K E
T H E L A S T S P I K E
This photo shows Donald Smith, an investor in the railway, driving in the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway on November 7, 1885, in Craigellachie, British Columbia.
B O N U S F E A T U R E:
B O N U S F E A T U R E:
How do we judge historical figures? Heroes? Villains? Both?
How do we judge historical figures? Heroes? Villains? Both?
Read the following article about John A. Macdonald and decide for yourself.
Read the following article about John A. Macdonald and decide for yourself.
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