-
Period: to
Confederation and Pro-ceeding Events
-
The Great Coalition
The Great Coalition was a coalition of the two political parties. Canada West and East. They did this because when it came to take action or charge and do something in government, neither party could. They need a double majority to do so and both Canada East and West had the same number of seats. This absence of power was what lead to the Great Coalition. After this deadlock was removed they came about the idea of Confederation...and believed it would prevent any further deadlock. -
The Confederation Journey Begins!!!
11 politicians arrive in Charlottetown to attend a Maritime conference and voice their idea of a Constitution. Among the politicians were George Brown, John A. MacDonald, George Cartier, Alexander Galt, and D'Arcy McGee. -
Charlottetown Conference
September 2-7, 1864. The Maritime/ Confederation conference begins and continues throughtout the week. Some of those involved in the conference were George Brown, Alexander Campbell, George-Etienne Cartier, Alexander Tilloch Galt, John A. MacDonald, Hector-Louis Langevin, William McDougall, and Thomas D'Arcy McGee. -
Conference Impressions
After the Conference, the Maritime politicians' opinion about a Constitution is expressed in The Saint John daily. "The idea of Confederation was almost irresistible. The Maritime delegates were more favourable now to Confederation than they used to be. As they talked to the Canadians, the difficulties in the matter of detail vanished." ~Saint John Daily -
Quebec Conference
19 delegates met for a second time to again talk about possible Confederation. There were seven from New Brunswick, Seven for Prince Edward Island, and five from Nova Scotia. To make a welcome and warm visit, they arranged for a ball and dinner for 800 guests to celebrate the conference. They had to discuss power between each faction, laws, influence, and more. Together they collectively came up with the 72 resolutions. This laid the ground rules of this new country down. -
Confederation Election, New Brunswick
Election Day came and those known as the Anti-Confederation lists easily swayed the New Brunswick people against Confederation. These people believed they were being sold out to the Canadians as they were willing to provide subsidies of up to 80 cents per person to New Brunswick. Samuel Leonard Tilley did not stop. He went house to house explaining confederation and spoke to the colonies. Later in 1866, the Fenians attacked New Brunswick ebbing the final straw for confederation (More protection) -
Cancellation of American-Canadian Reciprocity Treaty
A free trade treaty was passed in 1854 allowing goods to be shipped to and from Canada without tariffs or taxes. The Americans cancelled this treaty as revenge towards the British parliament for lack of aid and support of the south in the civil war. This made a possible USA invasion a real possibility. This was another string that led to confederation. -
Will Nova Scotia Join Confederation? in London, England
After New Brunswick became serious of joining Confederation, delegates from all over set up a meeting in London, England to talk about Nova Scotia's possible involvement in Confederation. In the end, Nova Scotia joined the movement. -
Fenian Raids
Those behind the Fenian raids were known as the Fenian Brotherhood. The Fenian Brotherhood consisted mostly of Catholic people of Irish descent who wanted Britain to withdraw from Ireland. There were five raids in total on Canadian colonies. The Americans usually put down uprisings but some still believe they didn't bother with them as a way to get back at Britain. Britain didn't provide any help what so ever to the south in the civil war. This angered most Americans. -
London Conference
16 delegates from various colonies met in London, England for one last conference. The conference lasted a few months as there were many debates and obstructions. The delegates formed their resolutions into an act called The British North America Act or BNA Act. The bill to form the Dominion of Canada was actually declined many times before in March 1867, Queen Victoria signed and passed the bill to form this new country.
