CONFEDERATION: HOW AND WHY IS IT HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT?

SS10: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE & SIGNIFICANCE

How was Confederation historically significant ?

Characteristics to Establish Potential Historical Significance:

Was it important? Have the consequences been

durable? How many people were affected? How deeply were people affected? How relevant was/is Confederation

to daily life?

Analytical Justification of Historical Significance : Does it reveal a new/enduring

pattern? Did it result in compelling

change? Is it part of a/the cultural

narrative? (To whom would the above apply? Not apply?)

LET’S RE-CAP….What forces/actions/events led to the move towards Confederation

in the first place?

Proclamation of 17631) End of 7 Years War

2) British victory3) Created Quebec, protected some

Canadien traditions, some aspects not enacted

Quebec Act 17741) 1774

2) Assimilation, loyalty3) Enlarged territory, a final

intolerable act, Canadien protection, no elected assembly

Durham Report 1839 1) Post Rebellions

2) Request for cause/recommendations

3) Moving forward with ideas of reform and union

Act of Union 18401) Reaction to Durham Report

2) The accepted portion of the Durham Report

3) Showed difference between colony and country, fanned the flames of reform,

beginning of merger of colonies

INTRODUCING LORD DURHAMThe Man:•John “Radical Jack” Lambton•Powerful voice of reform in 1830s•Advocated for secret ballot and extended voting rights•Born 1792 Died 1840

The Job:•Head Commission of Inquiry into 1837/8 Rebellions•Make recommendations for the future of Canadas.•Serve as GG.•“People who wanted to see political change in the colonies were pleased by Durham’s appointment.” Why?

DURHAM REPORT OBSERVATIONS Causes of Conflict in Lower Canada•Industrial Economy vs. Agricultural Economy“I expected to find a contest between a government and a people: I found two nations warring in the bosom of single state…It will be acknowledged…that sooner or later the English race was sure to predominate even numerically in Lower Canada.”

On the Union of the Canadas•Solution to political, cultural and economic problems: assimilation.“I have little doubt that the French, when once placed by legitimate course of events and the working of natural causes, in a minority, would abandon their vain hopes of a nationality.”

Causes of Conflict in Upper Canada•Clergy Reserves“as most emigrants are not members of the COE, the disproportion is likely to increase…I know of no mode of this question being settled but by repealing all provisions in Imperial Acts that relate…to the clergy reserves…”

On Responsible Government•Noted envy of colonists of economic prosperity and democratic system of USA.•Annexation a real threat.“this is the last effort of their almost exhausted patience…and that the government of the colony should henceforth be carried on in conformity with the views of the majority of the Assembly.”

WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT?

1. Powers of Governor General are limited2. Executive council comes from the elected assembly3. Executive council is accountable to the elected

assembly

Relationship to Canada:• British: the battle between Canadas and Britain• US: influenced the desire for responsible government to

prevent the threat of annexation • Responsible Government in the Canadas: achieved at

different times, for different peoples.

DURHAM REPORT ACTION

X

Accepted• Union of Canadas into one colony• Debts merged into one.• Canada West and Canada East.• One elected Legislative Assembly- each

Canada had equal representation.

Denied• Structures to implement Responsible

Government.

PUSH FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: MARITIMES

No large recent

immigration

No bitter French/English divide

Joseph Howe• Twice led non

confidence votes against Governors

• Appointed to Executive Council

• Forced withdrawal of 3 governors

• 1847 Election- Reformer Victory

• 1848- NS• 1849- NB• 1851- PEI• 1855- NL

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: CANADASBaron Syndenham • First governor of United Canadas

• Two tasks1. Bring economic prosperity.

• Success!2. Prevent introduction of responsible

government.• Forced to end practice of lifetime

appointments to Executive Council.• Divided Clergy Reserves amongst all

Churches.• Clergy Reserve Revenues used to fund

schools.• District Council Act 1841.

LASupport

Election 1844•Tories win a majority.•Metcalfe (GG) appoints Tories to Executive Council

Election 1848•Refomers win large majority.•Metcalfe has resigned, GG is now Elgin (Durham’s son in law), Secretary is now Grey (Durham’s brother in law).•Elgin calls upon Baldwin and LaFontaine to form Executive Council. They select from their Assembly.

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: CANADAS

Test #1•1849 Rebellion Losses Bill•Elgin did not favour passage; signs it.

Test #2•1859 tariffs (20%) on imported goods to raise money for public works.•British merchants upset, British government threatens to dissallow, but eventually backs down.

IF IT’S NOT ONE THING…

…IT’S ANOTHER.Double Majority leading to Deadlock…• …Both English AND

French• …Both Canada West

AND Canada East

Chaos in the Parties…

… and, another.

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government (double majority, chaos).

Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown

Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier

ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce

LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks

ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion

… and, another.

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government (double majority, chaos).

Coping Mechanisms: Coalition Governments

… and, another.

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

Solution? The Great Coalition.

Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown

Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier

ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce

LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks

ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion

Galt

See pg 84

… and, another.

CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION

Pressing Issue:• Unstable governments… deadlock… lack of progress

Generally Accepted Solution:• Union

Pressing Questions:• Is accommodation of distinctive cultures possible? What form of government would best serve the

colonies? Will union provide security?

CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION

1. Compromise Dogmatic vs. Pragmatic Leadership Formative Events

CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION

2. Auxiliary KingdomLife Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness vs. Peace, Order and Good GovernmentIN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of AmericaWhen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

TO JOIN OR NOT TO JOIN….

Task

1) Read the information on your given colony

2) Identify the position taken on joining Confederation

3) Identify the reasons for their position

4) Consider the multiple perspectives on this position

5) Prepare to share with the class

CONFEDERATION CONFERENCES Three conferences took place that helped shape the move towards Confederation:

1) Charlottetown (September 1864)2) Quebec (October 1864),3) London, England (December 1866).

Discussion and debate from these conferences would eventually lead to the signing of the British North America Act in 1867 and the formation of the Dominion of Canada

What happened in the Conferences?

CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE 1864• Leaders of the Maritime provinces were already meeting

to discuss a form of unity • Goal was to gain greater independence from the British• Province of Canada found out about this meeting and

asked to be included

Outcomes of the conference• PEI, NS and NB were concerned about joining in a union

with the Province of Canada• Agreed to meet one month later in Quebec

QUEBEC CONFERENCE 1864 • Beginning to draft the resolutions needed to shape out a

united Canada looking at the British colonies north of the 49th parallel

Outcomes of the Conference • Agreements made on power division, structure of

government and a civil code• NS and NB agreed to join the Province of Canada

LONDON CONFERENCE 1866• NS, NB and the Province of Canada working together to

discuss issues facing the new Dominion

Confederation achievedOn July 1, 1867, Queen Victoria assented to the bill that became the British North America Act, creating the Dominion of Canada. The new dominion was made up of four provinces:

- Ontario

- Quebec

- Nova Scotia

- New Brunswick

How was Confederation historically significant ?

Characteristics to Establish Potential Historical Significance:

Was it important? Have the consequences been

durable? How many people were affected? How deeply were people affected? How relevant was/is Confederation

to daily life?

Analytical Justification of Historical Significance : Does it reveal a new/enduring

pattern? Did it result in compelling

change? Is it part of a/the cultural

narrative? (To whom would the above apply? Not apply?)