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The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was essentially the North American front of the Napoleonic Wars. After the war of 1812, Canadians started to see they were different than Britain and it assured the survival of British colonies in Canada. It led to a growing sense of national identity. It left the British colonies intact instead of belonging to the Americans It paved the way for Confederation. -
Railroads
Railroads were developed in Britain in 1800s and were exported to Canada. They formed transportation which made people and products travel faster and farther. Railroads were a big business, used for transporting products and growing the economy. Railroads did not directly cause Confederation but it did make a union between the colonies possible. -
The Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada.
Louis-Joseph Papineau led a rebellion in Lower Canada which resulted in violence. He riled up crowds with speeches and calls to actions. The government ordered the reformers to be arrested, so Papineau fled to the US. William Lyon Mackenzie led a similar rebellion, he pushed for democracy. The local militia was forced in, and Mackenzie fled. Although both rebellions failed, it attracted the attention of the British government, which was eventually forced to bring in a responsible government. -
Repeal of the Corn Laws
The Corn Laws made trade between Britain and its colonies easier, by removing tariffs on grains. Britain repealed the Corn Laws, putting Canada on the same level as other parts of the world. Exports of grain to Britain dropped, putting Canada into economic recession. The end of the Corn Laws demonstrated Britain was lifting its control over the colonies. The lifting of imperial economic controls brought relief on political controls, and this brought recognition to a responsible government. -
Responsible Government in Nova Scotia
Joseph Howe advocated for a responsible government. He preferred a more peaceful method than the violent rebellions. He wrote editorials and articles that mocked the current government. Howe was able to sway the public. He was elected to the Nova Scotia assembly, and formed the first responsible government. Demands for a responsible government grew throughout British North America, and it became clear a Confederation was going to happen. -
The End of Reciprocity
A reciprocity treaty was negotiated with the US. This treaty reduced duties and tariffs on grain, fish, wood, and coal that was traded. This agreement was supposed to be renewed in 1865, but the Americans did not renew it. This actually brought the British North America closer together. Support for a union grew and more anti-Americanism was encouraged. The end of the treaty strengthened the argument for a Confederation. -
U.S Civil War
The U.S. Civil War was a battle between Confederate states in the South and Union states to the north. The main issue that led to the war was slavery. Britain stayed neutral, so the U.S turned on them. Britain couldn't be trusted to protect British North America, if the Americans wanted to take over. It was ultimately the fear of an American takeover that was the leading cause of Confederation. It helped urge Canada to its own Confederation and independence. -
The Great Coalition
George Brown joined a coalition with John A. Macdonald to work towards Confederation of British North America. Brown, Cartier, and Macdonald joined their parties into "The Great Coalition. "This was the start of the process of Confederation. The coalition was formed to destroy political deadlock between Canada East and Canada West. -
The Quebec Conference
At the Quebec Conference, the delegates presented the 72 Resolutions. The delegates didn't not want to become fully independent so ties with Britain would be maintained and the British constitution would continue to apply to Canada. At the conference, they formed the basis of Confederation. By the end of the Conference, a basic constitution had been drafted. -
The Charlottetown Conference
The Maritime leaders called a conference in Charlottetown. Brown, Macdonald, and Cartier proposed a broader union. They sought to convince the Maritime representatives of joining the colonies together. The Maritimes were interested in the financial benefit of a union. They were to meet again to work out the details of the new confederation. The Charlottetown Conference set Confederation in motion. -
The Fenian Raids
Irish people in the US formed a militia called "Fenian Brotherhood," after the civil war. The Fenians wanted the British government to make Ireland free again. The Fenians attacked Canada, although they didn't have a military effect on Canada, they changed public opinion. They demonstrated the need for common defense. Public opinion now swayed in the direction of Confederation, giving Canada and the Maritimes the mandate to pursue a union. -
The London Conference
This was the last of three conferences. They met with the British government in London, to draft a bill recommending Canadian Confederation. Delegates reviewed the 72 Resolutions, and formed the London Resolutions which was used to form the British North America Act. -
British North America Act
The British North America Act is the foundation of Canada's constitution. This was passed by British Parliament in 1867 to create the dominion of Canada. It provided the union of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.