The founders of confederation of the dominion of canada

History of Canadian Confederation

  • 7 Years war

    7 Years war

    The war stretching across the world led to the British conquest of New France and its unification with British North America.
  • Period: to

    Leadup to Canadian Confederation

  • Treaty of Paris (1763)

    Treaty of Paris (1763)

    The treaty ended the 7 Years War and cemented Britain's control over what would become Canada.
  • Quebec Act 1774

    Quebec Act 1774

    Expanded the territories of Quebec and reinstated French Civil Law and guaranteed free practice of Catholicism.
  • American Revolution & Loyalist Migration

    American Revolution & Loyalist Migration

    After the American victory in the revolution against Britain, many loyalists to the crown fled from the thirteen colonies to Canada, strengthening its English population.
  • The Constitutional Act

    The Constitutional Act

    The act divided the province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada each with their own governments.
  • The War of 1812

    The War of 1812

    The War of 1812 fostered a sense of national unity among the population during the combined defense against American attacks.
  • Rebellions of 1837–1838

    Rebellions of 1837–1838

    Two armed rebellions occurred in the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada to try and establish responsible government. The rebellions led directly to Lord Durham's report.
  • The Durham Report

    The Durham Report

    The Report on the Affairs of British North America was a report created after the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada that called for reforms like responsible government and for the two colonies to be unified.
  • Act of Union

    Act of Union

    Merged Upper and Lower Canada into the new Province of Canada
  • End of Preferential Trade With Britain

    End of Preferential Trade With Britain

    Britain repealed the Canada Corn Act which allowed Canadian grains to be sold to Britain at a reduced rate. This action would damage the Canadian economy
  • Reciprocity Treaty With the U.S.

    Reciprocity Treaty With the U.S.

    Boosted trade between the colonies and the United States after the corn laws were repealed but its eventual cancellation after the American Civil War hurt the Canadian economy
  • The American Civil War

    The American Civil War

    The American Civil War heightened tensions between the U.S. and Britain due to Britain's occasional support of the Confederate rebellion, raising concerns of U.S. aggression against Canada. This pushed for more unity among the Canadian populace.
  • Charlottetown Conference

    Charlottetown Conference

    A political conference of representatives from colonies of British North America to discuss Canadian confederation. It was originally meant to only be a meeting of maritime colonies but the province of Canada requested it be expanded to encompass them.
  • The Quebec Conference

    The Quebec Conference

    Produced the 72 resolutions which became the foundation of Confederation
  • Great Coalition

    The Great Coalition was a grand coalition of political parties that finally brought an end to the period of political deadlock in the province of Canada.