1. economic 2. transportation 3. defence 4. political
Post on 21-Dec-2015
213 views
TRANSCRIPT
Transportation
Canals, Lakes, Rivers, and Railways were used to transport goods to major ports. › then they could be shipped to Britain or
USA Large gaps existed in railway system
which prevented Intercolonial trade. Grand Trunk Railway
› If railways were extended from NS to Toronto then fish could get to markets
Railways
Banks in England would only lend money if colonies were united
They feel this is the safest way to get repayment on loans.
Colonies want to improve intercolonial trade BUT need money to complete railway
Banks want to secure their loans
Colonies joining together seemed like a requirement for completing the Intercolonial Railway
Defence Issues
BNA had defended itself in 1812 war against USA
However by the 1850s Britain began to pull its troops out of the colonies› $$$$$$$$$› They were also at war with Russia in the
Crimean. Too many colonies to have a coherent
defence strategy› SINGLE COUNTRY = better defence
The Fenians
Fenians were an Irish organization that used arms to try and gain independence from Britain
During Great Migration 2 million Irish came to North America.
Organized in Northern United States and supported by some USA politicians
Some small raids but overall, not real threat (Pigeon Hill) Assassination of Darcy McGee
US Civil War (1861-1865)
North (Union) V. South (Confederates) 1861- British Warship stopped by Union
warship and two confederates found on board.
Confederacy officials used Montreal, Toronto as bases to organize plots against the Union.
Clear by 1864 Union armies were going to win.
Civil War Con’t
Would the US want to settle score with BNA?
What to do with a standing army of 65 000 men (battled hardened)
Manifest Destiny: The Belief that the USA had a DUTY to take over the land of North America› This includes Mexico as well
Political Issues Affecting the Canadas
When the Canadas had been untied they were each given the same number of seats.
Equal Representation
Colony 1851 Census
1861 Census
Seats in Legislature
Canada East 890 261 1 111 566 65
Canada West 952 004 1 396 091 65
Political Issues
Representation by PopulationColony 1851 Census 1861 Census Seats in
Legislature
Canada East 890 261 1 111 566 65
Canada West 952 004 1 396 091 81
Three Important Politicians
George Brown (Canada West) J. A. Macdonald (Canada West) George-Etienne Cartier (Canada East)
George Brown
Leading supporter of REP by Pop
Owned the Globe, a leading Toronto Newspaper
Entered Politics in 1851
Great Speaker
George – Etienne Cartier
Lawyer from Montreal who entered politics in 1848
Opposed REP By POP Did not get along with
George Brown Basic argument was
that French peoples were already a Minority.
Feared English society would pass laws harmful to French Society
Joh
n A
. MacD
on
ald
Lawyer from Kingston › Had reputation for fairness and political Skill› Entered politics 1844.
Realized that Cartier wanted protection for French Canadians rights, language, customs.
Therefore, he saw that both Brown and Cartier could get what they wanted.