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Act of Union
The Act of Union established the province of Canada by uniting Canada West(Upper Canada) and Canada East(Lower Canada)The act created a single parliament for the two regions, with an equal number of representatives for each(Monet). Due to this policy, the now-united colony would face the challenge of political deadlock(Monet). The solution to this problem would lay the groundwork for confederation. -
Repealing of the Corn Laws
The Corn Laws were policies that allowed grain from Britain’s colonies to be untaxed, giving Canada a significant trade advantage(“Repeal Corn Act 1846”). However, on Jan 1, 1846, this privilege was revoked(“Repeal Corn Act 1846”). Canada would need to turn to other partners for trade such as the United States(“Repeal Corn Act 1846”). The repeal contributed to confederation as the colonies began to distance themselves from Britain and gain their own identity(“Repeal Corn Act 1846”). -
The American Revolution
The American Revolution revolution and the American idea of Manifest Destiny further persuaded the British North American colonies of their need to unify to protect themselves from annexation(“American Civil War and Canada”). Furthermore, thousands of loyalists migrated to the British North American Colonies as a result of the revolution, this increased anti-Americanism in Canada and fueled the push for a strong, united Canada(MacLeod). -
The Great Coalition
The Great Coalition was an alliance of political parties led by George Brown with the purpose of forming compromises and finding long-term solutions in spite of the issue of political deadlock(“Great coalition of 1864”). Representatives from each party discussed every possible solution for the future of the province of Canada(“Great coalition of 1864”). This was a turning point in the history of Canada and provided the political stability necessary for confederation(“Great coalition of 1864”). -
The Charlottetown Conference
The original purpose of the Charlottetown conference was for the union of the maritime colonies, however, delegates from the Province of Canada were given permission to attend(“Charlottetown Conference”). The meeting quickly became a discussion about the maritime colonies’ joining the province of Canada, with the Canadian delegates presenting a very persuading case for their union(“Charlottetown Conference”). -
The Quebec Conference
The Quebec Conference met to finalize the ideas proposed at the Charlottetown Conference and define the terms of the confederation(“The Quebec Conference”). The Conference produced the 72 resolutions, which would form the basis for the British North America Act(“The Quebec Conference”). The Quebec Conference ended with the draft of a basic constitution for what would soon be a united Canada, however, there was still some dissatisfaction among a few of the colonies(“The Quebec Conference”). -
Vote for Confederation
The legislative council took a vote for the terms of the Union of Confederation and won an overwhelming majority of 45 to 15(“Martel et al.”). The legislative assembly would also vote later on, receiving another overwhelming majority of 91 for and only 33 against(“Martel et al.”). This vote showed the immense support for Confederation in Canada and was one more step towards the final decision. -
The St. Alband's Raid
Halfway through the Quebec Conference, a group of Confederate soldiers crossed the border and raided the city of St. Albans, Vermont(“St. Albans Raid”). The violent group robbed 3 banks and killed a man, then returned to Canada(“St. Albans Raid”). The way that the situation was handled outraged Americans and the press called for an invasion(“St. Albans Raid”). For Canada, the raid caused them to realize the need for an organized federal government to secure peace(“St. Albans Raid”). -
The Reciprocity Treaty Ends
The reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States was a free trade agreement for each country’s mutual economic benefit(“Reciprocity”). However, due to Britain’s support of the South during the American Civil War, the United States decided to sever the treaty in 1866(“Reciprocity”). The end of this treaty forced the BNA colonies to rely on each other for trade, which strengthened their relationship and dependency on one another, eventually leading to confederation(“Reciprocity”). -
The Fenian Raids
The Fenians were Irish Catholic immigrants to the United States who felt very strongly about Irish independence from Britain(“Fenian Raids 1866”). So, in order to accomplish this they launched attacks on the British North American Colonies nearest to them along the border(“Fenian Raids 1866”). These raids led the colonies to realize their vulnerability and their need for a strong unified country that could protect against such attacks as these(“Fenian Raids 1866”). -
The London Conference
The London Conference served as a time for delegates to resolve any remaining issues and finalize the 72 resolutions into proper constitutional format(“The London Conference”). The delegates, led by John A. Macdonald, also sought to create a healthy balance of power between the federal and provincial levels to hopefully learn from the shortcomings of the U.S. system(“The London Conference”). This conference also finally decided on the name: Dominion of Canada(“The London Conference”). -
Signing of the British North America Act
The BNA Act was a formal declaration of the unity of Canada West, Canada East, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick under the Dominion of Canada(“The London Conference")The Confederation of Canada was diplomatic and well thought out, honoring out ties to Britain instead of trying to sever them(“The London Conference”). The unification of Canada allowed us to protect our land and our values, and to make the vision a reality, of a nation from sea to sea(“The London Conference”).