Blueprint for a Nation

Transcription

1 Blueprint for a Nation 94

2 Blueprint for a Nation The Maritime colonies were just as worried about the American threat and the possible end of reciprocity, talks had begun on a possible Maritime Union. When the Canadians caught wind of these talks, they countered with a proposal of their own. Why not discuss a union of all the British North American colonies? 95

3 The Charlottetown Conference,

4 The Charlottetown Conference, 1864 In many ways, the conference that followed was a long extended schmooze-fest, and unabashed attempt by the smooth-talking Canadians to seduce their Maritime cousins into marriage. The Maritime provinces Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland considered themselves as mature independent colonies. The Charlottetown Conference was planned as a meeting to discuss a possible Maritime union.

5 Common arguments in favour of Confederation had little impact with some Maritime colonies. For example: Newfoundland had almost no trade with Canada. so there was little economic benefit to be realized from a union. Likewise, the promise of an intercolonial railway held no benefit for Newfoundland or PEI. 98

6 However, colonies recognized threats and opportunities on the horizon, such as; The US plan to end the Treaty of Reciprocity. The development of steam and steel technology (i.e. Railway Revolution) The leaders of the Great Coalition had to show how their plans for Confederation would resolve some of these concerns and opportunities. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI agreed to attend another conference in Quebec to continue discussing the idea of Confederation. 99

7 The Quebec Conference,

8 The Quebec Conference, 1864 The Quebec Conference was held in the fall of 1864, and was attended by representatives from the United Province of Canada and all of the Maritime colonies. Newfoundland, which had not been at the Charlottetown Conference, also came, but there voters were not enthusiastic about Confederation. The Quebec Conference planned the birth of a new nation. 101

9 When the Quebec Conference assembled the general principle of political confederation had been approved and decided upon. The delegates sat down to settle the business of adjusting the various relations between the proposed provinces, and the proposed Dominion. Topics for discussion; The Nature of the Union, Federal Parliament Representation, Financial Relations, Division of Power, and Code of Law. 102

10 The Seventy-Two Resolutions The Quebec Conference lasted for over two weeks. The result was a list called the Seventy-Two Resolutions a blueprint for Confederation and the new country of Canada. Macdonald had compromised his vision of a strong national government in favour of a federation. 103

11 Structure of the Federal Government The British Crown would be represented in Canada by a Governor-General nationality and by Lieutenant-Governors in each province. The federal government itself would be becameral. That is, it would be divided into two separate legislative branches: The Senate - Canada s Upper House, would be appointed. The House of Commons - Canada s Lower House, would be elected.

12 The House of Commons was where laws and regulations would be worked out. The Senate, in turn would be a forum for sober second thought, the Senate of Canada would act as a parliamentary review board.

13 The Reaction in the Colonies Since each of the colonies had responsible government, Confederation had to be debated and approved by each colonial legislature. Opposition greeted almost every point. Eventually, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and United Canada decided to join together as one nation. 106

14 American Expansion: Fenian Raids The fear of American invasion seemed to become a reality in Fenians from the United States made several armed raids across the border into British North America. Fenians were a group of Irish Catholics in the US who wanted to end British rule over Ireland. Since they could not attack Britain directly, they decided to attack her North American Colonies. The Fenian scare helped tip the scale of public opinion in favour of Confederation. 107

15 The London Conference,

16 The London Conference, Sixteen delegates sailed to London in 1866 to present the Seventy-Two resolutions to British officials. On January 9, 1867 the British North America Act was introduced in the British Parliament. It was passed quickly, and on March 29, 1867, Queen Victoria proclaimed the creation of the Dominion of Canada. 109

17 Royal Proclamation March 29th,

18 The BNA Act is Passed On March 29, 1867, Queen Victoria signed the British North America Act. The Act came into effect on June 1, A new nation was born: Canada, consisting of 3.5 million people and four provinces. The original four, Charter members of Confederation, so to speak, were as follows: Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario John A. Macdonald is sworn in as Canada s first Prime Minister on July 1, 1867.

19 Confederation Day July 1, 1867

20 July 1st, 1867

21

22 Canada s first separatist movement John A. Macdonald was asked to form an interim government and he called an election soon after. The Great Coalition had ended and Macdonald s Conservatives won a working majority in Canada s first federal election including strong support in Quebec. In Nova Scotia, however, it was another story. Joseph Howe went so far as igniting an anti confederation movement.

23 The Fathers of Confederation The most important Fathers of Confederation were Macdonald, Cartier, Brown, Tilley, Tupper, Galt, and McGee. But You could also include: Amor de Cosmos, who helped from BC into Confederation. Louis Riel, the founder of Manitoba Joey Smallwood, who brought New Foundland into the fold in John Amagoalik, the Artic John A. who has been hailed as the Father of Nunavut, the norther territory created in 1999.