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The rebellions of Upper and Lower Canada begin. In Lower Canada, battles are fought for freedom of prejudice and discrimation against the English minority.
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Lord Durhan recommends to unite Upper and Lower Canada. Britain was very eager to agree. Lord Sydenham declares the Act of union in 1840. However, Burham recommended a responsible goverment, which neither Britain, the Chateau Clique, and the Family Compact liked. Democracy was to new of an idea.
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Britain creates the United Province of Canada. There is no form of responsible government.
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Britain repeals the Corn Laws imposed on Canada, which were part of the Navigation Acts The Corn Laws created mass famine and economic depression. It left the economic relations ofthe colony broken, "Canadians began to look at the union of all colonies as a way of helping their economy." (100 of Horizons) By uniting the colonies, a larger market would be created. and industry would thrive. An independent government could develop its own economic policies.
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Lord Elgin is appointed as governor. He was Durham's son in law and shared the same views as his father-in-law. He wanted to make Canada semi-independent, with a responsible government. However, unlike the Americans, he wanted to do it through peaceful measures.
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In 1848, the colony of Novia Scotia achieves a responsible government.
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Lord Elgin creates the Rebellion Losses Bill in order to compensate anyone in Canada East for the damage done to their property during the rebellion. This caused the infuriated English merchants to attempt to organize the Annexation Mannifestation, which would have allowed America to take over Canada. This however failed. As a result of the bill, government was moved to Ottawa.
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The Crown Colony of Vancouver Island is formed.
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The Recipricocity Treaty is signed with the U.S. It is also known as Elgin-Marcy Treaty. A basic trade treaty, this document was signed between the Canadas and the US, in order to form a move to free trade.
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The Graudal Civilization Act is passed. This act encouraged "Indians" to become more like the British/French. Natives who could freely write and speak in British or French, were moral and educated were under the Act for the Protection of the Indians in Upper Canada.
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The colony of New Brunswick achieves a responsible government.
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The colony of British Columbia is created.
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The begninning of the American Civil War. Fear of an American invasion, which would allow them to achieve their Manifest Destiny, caused Canada to believe they'd be less likely to invade a sovereign country. Canada desired to annex Rupert's Land.
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A conference is held in Charlottetown. It was originally meant for the Maritime Union only, however Macdonald, Browil, and Cartier, who were members of the Great Coalition (a grand coalition of the political parties of the two Canadas), joined the conference and convinced the Maritime Union to aid their mission of a sovereign Canada.
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The Great Coalition is formed. The Great Coalition was a grand coalition of the political parties of the two Canadas. It was formed in order to stop the political and economic deadlock between Canada East and Canada West.
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The Quebec Conference is held, and the 72 Resolutions are produced as well as blueprints for Canada.
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Held in the United Kingdom, this conference was the deliberation that lead to the official Canadian Confederation. Sparked by the Quebec and Charlottetown conference, the formation of Canada was discussed, as well as its policies, education etc. It lead to the British North America Act.
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Canada celebrates its Dominion. This day later becomes Canada Day.
