Transcript Confederation

CONFEDERATION
And the Founding Fathers
…well, some of them anyways…
SOC 20
Lecture Source:
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation
Founding Fathers:
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The Confederation of Canada was decided in three
separate conferences
The 36 delegates of these conferences are
considered the original “Founding Fathers” of
Canada
There are others though, that also have a claim to
the title of “founding father”
So with so many Candidates, who is the most
influential Founding Father?...
Come to your
genewine poppy!
~George Brown
Gracious! Me own
child don’t know
me!
~William
McDougall
I’m the Father of
Confederation
~Sir Francis
Hincks
Don’t it recognize
its real daddy?
~Sir John A
Macdonald
George Brown
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Was an emigrant from Scotland who founded
the Globe newspaper
He quickly entered politics and supported the
reformers, who were campaigning for “Rep
by Pop”
In 1864, he proposed the “Great Coalition” to John A.
Macdonald and George Etienne Cartier
He played a major role in the Charlottetown and Quebec
conferences
He resigned from the coalition in 1865
George Brown
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Brown’s recognition of the importance of the
French Canadian perspective has impacted
Quebec to this day
In a speech in 1865, he said:
“Whether we ask for parliamentary reform for Canada alone
or in union with the Maritime provinces, the views of French
Canadians must be consulted as well as ours. This scheme can be
carried, and no scheme can be that has not the support of both
sections of the province” (that is, united Canada)
Sir Francis Hincks
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An emigrant from Ireland and successful
businessman in York
Became a close friend of William Warren
Baldwin and his son, Robert Baldwin
He established The Examiner in York with the goal of
promoting Responsible Government
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This paper later merged with George Brown’s The Globe
Over time, these joint newspapers became known as The Globe
and Mail!
Sir Francis Hincks
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He was a premier of the province of Canada
from 1851-1854
He had a vision of a railroad linking British
North America, which led to the Grand Trunk
Railway
He had a desire for responsible government, and a
railroad to unite the vast territory of the North
William McDougall
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Practiced law in Toronto and later
expanded into journalism
He later dropped journalism and became
solely involved in politics
He wanted to see Canada expand to the West and his
goal was to acquire the land owned by the Hudson’s Bay
Company
He attended all three conferences leading to
Confederation
William McDougall
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He was named Minister of Public Works in
Macdonald’s government of 1867
In 1869, he was named the first lieutenantgovernor of the Northwest Territories
However, Metis led by Louis Riel prevented him from
entering the territory (Red River Rebellion)
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From then on, he vehemently opposed Manitoba’s efforts to join
Confederation
Believed that power should not be granted to Manitoba until
they had a large enough population
Sir John A. Macdonald
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An emigrant from Scotland, he studied law
at 15 and opened his own office at 19
He helped form the 1854 coalition with the
reformers and French Canadians
In 1864, he accepted George Brown’s “Great Coalition” to
bring about Constitutional Change
He became the first Prime Minister due to his “nationbuilding efforts”
His vision was of a united country in British North America.
But one where Ontario & Quebec held power
Sir John A. Macdonald
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In his first term as Prime Minister he:
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Added Manitoba, PEI, and BC as provinces
Acquired the North-West territory that would
later become Alberta and Saskatchewan
Began the Intercontinental Railway
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Goal: Unite Quebec City and Halifax
In his second term he:
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Built the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)
Dealt with the Red River Rebellion of Louis Riel
The Creation of a Nation
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Pressures for Confederation
Charlottetown Conference
Quebec Conference
London Conference
Pressures for Confederation
Internal
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Political Deadlock
Desire for an inter-colony
railroad to improve trade,
military movement, and
transportation
Population expansion
Desire for economic
development: “economic
nationalism”
External
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“Manifest Destiny” and
possible invasion from the
USA
The American Civil War
and its reactions
The Fenian Raids
Change to British colonial
policy (Britain no longer
wanted to maintain
soldiers in its colonies)
Charlottetown Conference 1864
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The Maritime colonies (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI)
were thinking about a Maritime union
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Then John A. Macdonald requested that the province of
Canada join the talks
Official proceedings began September 1st
Little or no public record of what was said. However,
the main topics discussed were:
Arguments in favour of a union
 Possible financial arrangements
 What a united government might look like
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It was decided that the Conference warranted
additional discussion, to be held in Quebec
Charlottetown Conference 1864
Foundations for the new country:
 Preservation of ties with Great Britain
 A bicameral system of government
 Lower Hhouse = rep by pop, based on elections
 Upper House = representation based on regional
rather than provincial equality
 Responsible government at ALL levels of
government
 Appointment of a governor general by the British
Crown
Quebec Conference 1864
The Quebec Conference was held where the Chateau Frontenac sits today
Quebec Conference 1864
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Attendees: Province of Canada, New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland
However, John A. Macdonald was the dominant
figure during these talks
Resulted in the creation of the “Quebec Resolutions”
 72
resolutions that would form the basis of the new
nation
 Detailed who would have authority and so on
The Quebec Conference
Quebec Resolutions
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1. The best interests and present and future prosperity of
British North America will be promoted by a Federal
Union under the Crown of Great Britain, provided such
Union can be effected on principles just to the several
provinces.
17. The basis of representation in the House of Commons
shall be population, as determined by the official census
every 10 years; and the number of members
Upper Canada 82
 Lower Canada 65
 Nova Scotia
19
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Newfoundland
8
Prince Edward Island 5
New Brunswick
15
Quebec Resolutions
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46. Both the English and French languages may be
employed in the General Parliament and its
proceedings, and in the local legislature of Lower
Canada, and also in the Federal courts and in the
Courts of Lower Canada
68. The General Government shall secure, without
delay, the completion of the Intercolonial Railway
from Riviere-du-Loup, through New Brunswick, to
Truro in Nova Scotia
London Conference 1866
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Held in December, the delegates reviewed the wording
of the Quebec resolutions
Following Christmas, these “London Resolutions” were
drafted into proposed bills, and delegates met with
British officials to finalize the text
The name “Canada” was easily decided
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As well as “Ontario” and “Quebec” for its two parts
Ultimately, the new nation was designated a “dominion”
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“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the
river unto the ends of the earth.” – Psalm 72
London Conference
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There were difficulties though:
 An
anti-union delegation from Nova Scotia, led by
Joseph Howe, wanted to overturn any union agreement
 They were unsuccessful
The British North America Act 1867
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The resulting act of the three conferences received
Royal Assent on March 29, 1867
Union was set to be held on July 1, 1867
There were four initial provinces
1867: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
 1870: Manitoba, North-West Territories
 1871: British Columbia
 1873: Prince Edward Island
 1898: Yukon
 1905: Alberta & Saskatchewan
 1949: Newfoundland (Newfoundland & Labrador in 2001)
 1999: Nunavut
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A Nation is Born