The Road to Confederation

When Does Canada Become Canada? Short answer: July 1st, 1867 What happened?

Four British North American colonies get together:

Canada East (Quebec) Canada West (Ontario) Nova Scotia New Brunswick

What conditions led to the Canadian Federation? After the Act of Union (1840), United

Canada had several problems.

Economic

Military

Political

Free Trade with Great Britain Great Britain used to protect its colonies by

offering to buy their products at a good price and forcing all other countries to pay high tariffs.

In 1846, Great Britain decides to no longer protect its colonies.

Result: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reciprocity Treaty

We have a free trade agreement with the United States for

approximately 12 years (1854-1866).

We have access to the vast American market.

So, losing this privilege in 1866 means we no longer have

Great Britain or the United States to depend on as buyers of

our goods.

Proportional Representation “Rep by Pop” means the number of

representatives elected to the Legislative Assembly is proportional to the population.

In 1840: Canada East 600,000 people Canada West 400,000 people And both have 42 representatives.

In 1851: Canada East 890,000 people Canada West 950,000 people And both still have 42 representatives.

Proportional Representation

Why do you think most people in Canada East opposed proportional representation?

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Majority / Minority Governments If the Liberals have 50 seats, And the Conservatives have 75 seats; And the NDP has 40 seats, Which party creates the government?

___________________________________ If a majority is at least 50% of the seats, do the

Conservatives in this example have a majority or minority government?

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Minority Governments Minority governments have

little power. If the Conservatives have 75

seats, And the Libs and NDP

together have 90 seats, Every time they vote on

something, the two other parties can gang up on the party in power.

Ministerial Instability

Between 1854 and 1864, there are 10 minority governments in a row.

If no government ever has enough power to pass laws, then very little gets done in the running of the country.

Military Reasons Between 1861-1865, the

United States has its Civil War.

The North wins (thank goodness!).

So the United States has many unemployed soldiers with no war to fight.

People in the British North American colonies are worried about a U.S. invasion.

Manifest Destiny Americans at this time think it

is their duty to expand their territory throughout North America.

In the 1860s, Western Canada has very few people living there.

One idea is to settle the West so that it will not be lost.

Caricature A caricature is an

exaggerated drawing, often for comedic effect. Like those artists in

Old Montreal who will sketch you with big ears and funny teeth, etc.

Political Cartoons Political cartoons often use

caricature and personification.

Personification is when a place or a thing is represented by a person.

In this case, Cousin Jonathan is the United States. Miss Britannia is Great Britain. And of course Miss Canada is Canada.

Political Cartoon

A pertinent question:

Miss Canada tells Miss Britannia that she will never be united with her Cousin Jonathan.

The Annexation Machine The way Brother

Jonathan will astonish the natives. Annexation comes in by

the rail, while liberty flies off in the smoke.

According to this caricature, what will Canadians lose with annexation with the U.S.?

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Cartoon

Young Canada says: “We don’t want you here.”

John Bull: “That’s right, my son, no matter what comes, an empty house is better than such a tenant as that.”

Cartoon What does John Bull

mean by that? ________________

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Who does John Bull represent?

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Cartoon FROM HALIFAX TO

VANCOUVER Miss Canada: “This is

what we want, Cousin Jonathan. It will give us real independence and stop the foolish talk about annexation.”

Jonathan: “Wal, Miss, I guess you’re about right thar, but I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Cartoon What will eliminate

“foolish talk of annexation” for Miss Canada?

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Why is Jonathan not impressed?

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