Fear grew of further retributive moves by the Americans. Indeed, a series of largely ineffectual invasions of British North America BNA by Irish-Americans, bound together as an anti-British Fenian Army, catalyzed colonial will to build a united regime that would offer greater mutual protection.
American acquisition of Alaska, in , reminded British Columbians and other Westerners that the Americans held on to their belief in a manifest destiny to rule the whole of the continent. Was a Canadian federation any more able to defend itself against an American invasion than the separate colonies? Probably not. The population discrepancy between BNA and the re-United States as well as the enormity of the experienced American forces, not to mention the superiority of American arms, makes the question absurd.
Confederation reduced British military obligations and did little to increase the size and preparedness of Canadian militias. It did, however, create the impression of unity and an emergent nation state, rather than low-hanging colonial fruit that might be picked at the convenience of the United States. The emergence of a Canadian military culture after was slow in coming, and the almost calamitous performance of militia units in the North West Rebellion in only underlines the extent to which fear of America did not result in any palpable steps to improve Canadian defense.
In the midth century Britain moved inexorably toward freer trade. Laissez-faire capitalism became the order of the day. Reciprocity with the United States was a step designed to offset market losses across the Atlantic. The end of Reciprocity raised serious questions about whether the British North American economy could survive. Confederation, in this context, was represented as a commercial as well as a political union.
Each region would have an equal voice in the appointed chamber. The resolutions also included specific financial commitments. These included the construction by the new federal government of the Intercolonial Railway from Quebec to the Maritimes.
The colonies recognized they needed to improve communications and grow economically. Railways between the colonies would boost economic opportunity through increased trade. They would also make borders more defensible by enabling the quick movement of troops and weaponry. See also: Railway History. Some Maritime delegates declared that the building of a rail line was a precondition of their joining Canada. All except Newfoundland enjoyed prosperous economies.
They felt comfortable as they were. The bulk of the population, especially in Nova Scotia and PEI, saw no reason to change their constitution just because Canada had outgrown its own. Even Newfoundland, despite economic difficulties in the s, postponed a decision on Confederation in In an election in , they decisively rejected it.
See also: Newfoundland and Labrador and Confederation. The more prosperous PEI resisted almost from the start. A small, dedicated group of Confederationists made little headway until early in the s. At that time, PEI was badly indebted by the construction of a railway. It joined Confederation in in return for Canada taking over its loan payments.
See also: PEI and Confederation. Nova Scotians were divided. Confederation was popular in the northern areas of the mainland and in Cape Breton. But along the south shore and in the Annapolis Valley — the prosperous world of shipping , shipbuilding , potatoes and apples — the idea seemed unattractive or even dangerous. Conservative Premier Charles Tupper was ambitious, aggressive and confident.
He went ahead with Confederation anyway. He was convinced that in the long run it would be best for Nova Scotia, and perhaps also for himself. Tupper briefly served as prime minister in His government was not up for re-election after Confederation was finalized.
By that time, it was too late for the 65 per cent of Nova Scotians who opposed the idea. New Brunswick was only a little more enthusiastic.
In , the anti-Confederation government of A. Smith was elected. It collapsed the following year. It was replaced by a new pro-Confederation government. Its support for a British North American union was helped by the Fenian invasions of that spring. The raids badly weakened anti-Confederation positions. They revealed shortfalls in the leadership, structure and training of the Canadian militia. This led to a number of reforms and improvements. More importantly, the threat the irregular Fenian armies posed to British North America led to greater support among British and Canadian officials for Confederation.
Growing concerns over American military and economic might had the same effect. Indigenous peoples were not invited to or represented at the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences. This despite the fact they had established what they believed to be bilateral nation-to-nation relationships and commitments with the Crown through historic treaties.
The Fathers of Confederation , however, held dismissive, paternalistic views of Indigenous peoples. Confederation had a significant impact on Indigenous communities.
In , the federal government assumed responsibility over Indigenous affairs from the colonies. The Dominion wanted to develop, settle and claim these lands, as well as those in the surrounding area. The government promised them money, certain rights to the land and other concessions. In exchange, the First Nations in all colonies except British Columbia ceded surrendered their traditional territories.
Most of the promises in these treaties went unfulfilled. The intentions expressed by the treaties, and the clarity with which they were communicated to and understood by the Indigenous people who signed them, has been the subject of considerable debate. The decades following Confederation saw the government increasingly try to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society. See also: Indian Act ; Reserves.
He vigorously instructed his governors in North America to promote the idea, which they did. Confederation meant Canada would have to pay for its own defence, rather than relying on British support. The London Conference December to February , was the final stage of translating the 72 Resolutions of into legislation. It was proclaimed into law on 1 July See: Canada Day. The young country expanded with the addition of Manitoba and the North-West Territories that same year.
The Yukon territory was created in and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Having rejected Confederation in , Newfoundland and Labrador finally joined in This was part of the largest Indigenous land claim settlement in Canadian history.
Confederation was the product of three conferences attended by delegates from five colonies. Thirty-six men are traditionally regarded as the Fathers of Confederation. They represented the BNA colonies at one or more of the conferences that led to Confederation.
Among the Fathers of Confederation, several played especially significant roles. The project of Confederation likely would not have been undertaken were it not for the dogged persistence of George Brown.
Sir John A. Macdonald orchestrated the political machinations necessary to get all the various parties to sign on. And Alexander Galt also made important contributions. The subject of who should be included among the Fathers of Confederation has been a matter of some debate. The wives and daughters of the original 36 men have also been described as the Mothers of Confederation. They played key roles in the social gatherings that were a vital part of the Charlottetown, Quebec and London Conferences.
Official records of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences are sparse. They provide a view into the experiences of privileged women of the era. Canada was much smaller in Where do you live? Was it part of Canada in ? After years of political debate , there were three historic meetings in Quebec City, Charlottetown and London, England to decide the future creation of Canada.
The original painting by Robert Harris burned during the fire that destroyed most of the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in Today, the tribute copy of it, by Rex Woods, hangs in a committee room at Parliament. The main difference between the two is the addition of a portrait of Robert Harris and three more delegates to the London Conference of who were officially recognized in Based on Robert Cooper, Canada.
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