Events Leading up TO COnfederation
Pushes Towards COnfederation
The information of this page is from:http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation/023001-3080-e.html
Upper Canada
Lower Canada
- From the Constitutional Act (1791) to the Act of Union (1841)
- The 1837 Rebellions
- The Durham Report and the Act of Union
- The Baldwin-La Fontaine Governments
- Ministerial Responsibility
Lower Canada
Influence of the American Civil War
From 1861 to 1865 the United States was embroiled in an internal conflict that divided that country. This conflict also had an influence on the British North American colonies: continental and transatlantic trade was affected, and the battles taking place south of the border created tension across the entire continent. The following texts examine certain aspects of the influence of the Civil War on life in the British North American colonies. Because these colonies were on the verge of a political restructuring that would result in the creation of Canada, it is interesting to ask ourselves what role the American Civil War played in the process that led to Confederation in 1867.
for more information on how America effected the push for confederation click on the links below:
From 1861 to 1865 the United States was embroiled in an internal conflict that divided that country. This conflict also had an influence on the British North American colonies: continental and transatlantic trade was affected, and the battles taking place south of the border created tension across the entire continent. The following texts examine certain aspects of the influence of the Civil War on life in the British North American colonies. Because these colonies were on the verge of a political restructuring that would result in the creation of Canada, it is interesting to ask ourselves what role the American Civil War played in the process that led to Confederation in 1867.
for more information on how America effected the push for confederation click on the links below:
Toward Responsible Government
As commercial, religious and cultural patterns became more complex in the Atlantic region, the political environment also gained complexity. Some of the key challenges were built into the local systems of government. For example, while New Brunswick's achievement of colonial status had represented a victory for its upper class -- mainly Loyalist officers and prosperous merchants -- the general population did not feel that their interests were represented in the Legislative Assembly.
In Nova Scotia, a similar divide between the urban and rural population had been growing since the Legislative Assembly was established in 1758. Prince Edward Island (then called the Island of St. John) achieved official colonial status in 1769, and within a decade its elite citizens had formed a Legislative Assembly, though the Island's population was only about 1,500. That population grew increasingly dissatisfied with absentee landlords and their associates, who ruled the Legislative Assembly. Like Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland had to struggle to free local government from the influence of European stakeholders, particularly in relation to the fishing industry, which remained subject to early treaties between the British and French.
Political reform movements gained momentum in the 1840s and 1850s, as individuals called for increased governmental accountability, improved voting and administrative practices, and more diverse official representation. Responsible government arrived in the Atlantic colonies, beginning in 1848 with Nova Scotia. Within a few years the other colonies followed Nova Scotia's example. Prince Edward Island achieved responsible government in 1851, New Brunswick in 1854, and Newfoundland in 1855.
Political accountability did not necessarily mean political stability, however. Volatile governments, the American Civil War, commercial risks and regional ambitions all served to guide the Atlantic colonies toward Confederation.
As commercial, religious and cultural patterns became more complex in the Atlantic region, the political environment also gained complexity. Some of the key challenges were built into the local systems of government. For example, while New Brunswick's achievement of colonial status had represented a victory for its upper class -- mainly Loyalist officers and prosperous merchants -- the general population did not feel that their interests were represented in the Legislative Assembly.
In Nova Scotia, a similar divide between the urban and rural population had been growing since the Legislative Assembly was established in 1758. Prince Edward Island (then called the Island of St. John) achieved official colonial status in 1769, and within a decade its elite citizens had formed a Legislative Assembly, though the Island's population was only about 1,500. That population grew increasingly dissatisfied with absentee landlords and their associates, who ruled the Legislative Assembly. Like Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland had to struggle to free local government from the influence of European stakeholders, particularly in relation to the fishing industry, which remained subject to early treaties between the British and French.
Political reform movements gained momentum in the 1840s and 1850s, as individuals called for increased governmental accountability, improved voting and administrative practices, and more diverse official representation. Responsible government arrived in the Atlantic colonies, beginning in 1848 with Nova Scotia. Within a few years the other colonies followed Nova Scotia's example. Prince Edward Island achieved responsible government in 1851, New Brunswick in 1854, and Newfoundland in 1855.
Political accountability did not necessarily mean political stability, however. Volatile governments, the American Civil War, commercial risks and regional ambitions all served to guide the Atlantic colonies toward Confederation.
The CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE
The Charlottetown Conference on Atlantic Union began on September 1st, 1864. Although the Conference was intended to discuss Maritime interests, it soon became a question of a larger federal union. Delegates from Upper and Lower Canada requested an invitation to speak about the possibilities of a union of the British North American Colonies. They had soon won the attention of the entire conference and had proposed the Federal Union of Canada and the Atlantic Provinces.
The direction of the Charlottetown Conference was not predictable with people sometimes being inattentive and often discontented with the ideas presented. The following sections will explore the entire Conference and its outcome.
The direction of the Charlottetown Conference was not predictable with people sometimes being inattentive and often discontented with the ideas presented. The following sections will explore the entire Conference and its outcome.
The Quebec CONFERENCE
The Québec Conference was the second conference leading to creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. After the enthusiastic reception given to the delegates from the Province of Canada at the Charlottetown Conference in September 1864, John A. Macdonald asked Governor Monck to invite representatives from the three Maritime colonies and Newfoundland to meet with the United Canada delegates in Québec in October 1864. The Confederation project proposed in Charlottetown was on the agenda and, if the talks went well, a constitutional proposal would be drafted. In Charlottetown, the Canadian delegation had proposed the foundations for a new country: preservation of ties with Great Britain; residual jurisdiction left to a central authority; a bicameral system including a Lower House with representation by population (rep by pop) and an Upper House with representation based on regional, rather than provincial, equality; responsible government at the federal and provincial levels; and the appointment of a governor general by the British Crown.
The Québec Conference took place from October 10 to 27, 1864, in a magnificent building that stood where the Château Frontenac is today. Participants were charmed by the site on Cape Diamant, overlooking the St. Lawrence, with a view of Île d'Orléans and the shore of Lévis. The Plains of Abraham were only a few minutes' stroll away. In contrast with the breathtaking location, the weather was miserably cold and windy, and the incessant rain dampened the spirits of the delegates.
The Québec Conference took place from October 10 to 27, 1864, in a magnificent building that stood where the Château Frontenac is today. Participants were charmed by the site on Cape Diamant, overlooking the St. Lawrence, with a view of Île d'Orléans and the shore of Lévis. The Plains of Abraham were only a few minutes' stroll away. In contrast with the breathtaking location, the weather was miserably cold and windy, and the incessant rain dampened the spirits of the delegates.
The LONDON CONFERENCE
nce New Brunswick and Nova Scotia had passed union resolutions in 1866 (the Province of Canada -- later Ontarioand Quebec -- had already done so), it was time to meet to draft the text of the British North America Act. It was agreed that this meeting would take place in London. The Maritime delegates left for England on July 21, but for various reasons the Canadian delegation's arrival was delayed until late November. The conference was much smaller than those at Charlottetown or Québec had been, consisting of sixteen members in all (from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada).
After preliminary discussions, meetings officially began on December 4; they took place at the Westminster Palace Hotel in London. Business commenced with a thorough review of the Québec Resolutions to ensure that the wording of each was satisfactory. Despite Charles Tupper'spromises to anti-union factions in Nova Scotia, he was unable to introduce amendments to the agreement at this time. Once the review was completed in late December, the "London Resolutions" were sent to the Colonial Office. Following the Christmas holiday, a committee of the delegates used the Resolutions to draft a proposed bill; copies were printed, and the delegates met with British officials in order to finalize the text.
Choosing "Canada" as the new country's name was relatively easy, as was the choice of "Ontario" and "Quebec" for the two halves of the Province of Canada. However, difficulties arose in choosing a designation. The delegates wished it to be a kingdom; the British feared that such a title would anger the United States, and denied the request. An alternative, "Dominion," was suggested by Samuel Leonard Tilley, from a line in Psalm 72 of the Bible: "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."
In addition to drafting the British North America Act, the Conference had to cope with the presence of an anti-union delegation from Nova Scotia, led by Joseph Howe, which was bent on overturning any union agreement. Charles Tupper was occupied in countering each submission Howe made to the Colonial Office and the two men conducted a debate through pamphlets and letters.
The delegates had a completed text for the bill by the first week of February 1867. It was submitted to the Queen on February 11, and read in the House of Lords for the first time the following day. Proceedings were relatively uneventful: the bill passed through its first, second, and third readings in the House of Lords during the month of February. The three readings in the House of Commons were also swift, completed within two weeks with very little debate. The British North America Actreceived the Royal Assent on March 29, 1867.
Once the Act was passed, the delegates returned home to prepare for union, which was scheduled to take place on July 1. Delegates from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had to hold their final legislative sessions, in order to make last-minute changes to their constitutions. There also remained the task of selecting members for the new Cabinet and Senate.
Social activities did not have the same prominence in London that they did at the other conferences, although some delegates did make excursions to other European countries, and visits to relatives and friends. For the most prominent of the delegates, there was also a royal audience. The major social event of the conference, however, was probably the marriage of John A. Macdonaldand Agnes Bernard on February 16, 1867.
After preliminary discussions, meetings officially began on December 4; they took place at the Westminster Palace Hotel in London. Business commenced with a thorough review of the Québec Resolutions to ensure that the wording of each was satisfactory. Despite Charles Tupper'spromises to anti-union factions in Nova Scotia, he was unable to introduce amendments to the agreement at this time. Once the review was completed in late December, the "London Resolutions" were sent to the Colonial Office. Following the Christmas holiday, a committee of the delegates used the Resolutions to draft a proposed bill; copies were printed, and the delegates met with British officials in order to finalize the text.
Choosing "Canada" as the new country's name was relatively easy, as was the choice of "Ontario" and "Quebec" for the two halves of the Province of Canada. However, difficulties arose in choosing a designation. The delegates wished it to be a kingdom; the British feared that such a title would anger the United States, and denied the request. An alternative, "Dominion," was suggested by Samuel Leonard Tilley, from a line in Psalm 72 of the Bible: "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth."
In addition to drafting the British North America Act, the Conference had to cope with the presence of an anti-union delegation from Nova Scotia, led by Joseph Howe, which was bent on overturning any union agreement. Charles Tupper was occupied in countering each submission Howe made to the Colonial Office and the two men conducted a debate through pamphlets and letters.
The delegates had a completed text for the bill by the first week of February 1867. It was submitted to the Queen on February 11, and read in the House of Lords for the first time the following day. Proceedings were relatively uneventful: the bill passed through its first, second, and third readings in the House of Lords during the month of February. The three readings in the House of Commons were also swift, completed within two weeks with very little debate. The British North America Actreceived the Royal Assent on March 29, 1867.
Once the Act was passed, the delegates returned home to prepare for union, which was scheduled to take place on July 1. Delegates from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had to hold their final legislative sessions, in order to make last-minute changes to their constitutions. There also remained the task of selecting members for the new Cabinet and Senate.
Social activities did not have the same prominence in London that they did at the other conferences, although some delegates did make excursions to other European countries, and visits to relatives and friends. For the most prominent of the delegates, there was also a royal audience. The major social event of the conference, however, was probably the marriage of John A. Macdonaldand Agnes Bernard on February 16, 1867.
Considering the information mentioned above what are the three most important factors that lead to Confederation? Also what were the major issues that had to be death with at the Quebec Conference in order to move forward with confederation ? Why did only 4 provinces initially join into confederation? Answer these question in the forum below !