Social Studies 10 04/10/13

Taj Gill Period 3

Factors Leading to Confederation

During the events leading to Confederation, Canada was in great need of order and repair. The government could not get anything done and there was little development of the Province. Canada was not doing well economically and many people were in debt, and the governing of the colonies needed to change. Confederation was necessary. The most significant factors that led to Confederation was the threat of American expansion, Britain wanted less responsibility, and the end of political deadlock in the United Province of Canada. Work was to be done in the great north. In the mid-1800s, the United States of America was driven by the principle of Manifest Destiny, the firm belief that American settlers were meant to expand all over the continent of North America. Unfortunately for Canada, they were in the same continent that the United States was. Before the American Civil War, Canada was in good terms with the US, as they did not attempt to invade Canada despite easily being able to do so. However, once the Civil War had arisen and sides were chosen, Americans thought that Britain sided with the south, and whatever Britain did Canada would soon follow. Therefore, American s were weary of Canadas loyalty and began to question their mutual understanding. The US went as far as to introduce the Annexation Bill of 1866, which was a bill introduced to authorize the President of the United States to occupy Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada East, and Canada West, and the Territories of Selkirk, Saskatchewan, and Columbia, with limits and rights as by the act defined, are constituted and admitted as States and Territories of the United States of America." The

Social Studies 10 04/10/13

Taj Gill Period 3

main threat of American expansion however was the constant attack of the Fenians, a group of Irish radicals. The Fenians attacked the Canadian border towns of Southern Ontario because of Canadas affiliation with Britain, the Fenians enemies. These issues convinced Canada to become independent from Britain, who wanted the same. Britain wanted its colonies to be self-sufficient, as they believed that it was too expensive to keep maintained. Mercantilism, an important part of Britains economy, was no longer effect after the 1846 repeal of the Corn Laws. Losing money on Canada and being a burden on British taxpayers, Canada was becoming a large liability for Britain. Britain gradually continued to do less to help Canada when they needed them the most. As the tension of the US threatening to invade Canada built up, Canada turned to Britain to send help to defend themselves. Assuring that help was on the way, Britain failed to come through and Canadians were left on their own. Confederation would solve this problem by having a defense that they could rely on and having their own government to make laws and regulations. Without Confederation, Canada was now alone in political deadlock with an inefficient government. Canadas population was split sixty/forty, with the majority of people being English speakers (Canada West), while the rest were French-speakers (Canada East). Despite the uneven population, the English and the French had an equal amount of seats in the Legislative Assembly. This unbalance led to political deadlock in the United Province of Canada, as nothing could get passed since the votes ended in ties. As a result, many outdated and unnecessary laws remained unchanged which did nothing to help Canada. The United Province of Canada was unable to build the Inter-colonial Railway, which would have been a staple in Canadas

Social Studies 10 04/10/13

Taj Gill Period 3

economy and society. Politicians that were involved in the great coalition needed a Federal Union with the Maritime colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. In order to go forward, Canada needed Confederation. Confederation was the answer to many of Canadas problems. It would end the United States threat of expansion, Britains responsibility of Canada, and the political deadlock that prevented Canadas Legislative Assembly from getting anything passed. Confederation would soon be the next step in Canadian history.