Immigration, Trade and Transportation: BNA at Mid-Century

• • • What social and economic forces were changing North America in the middle of the 19 th Century?

Of what effect was the end of mercantilism and the existence of reciprocal trade?

What is a political deadlock, how did it happen and how was it broken?

Forces of Change…



Social



Economic



Technical Context…



Political Deadlock BNA at Mid-Century

Forces of Change: Social

 Immigration  Population 1840- 2 million  Population 1867- 4 million  Annexation  1849- high point in the movement  Annexationists- English-speaking, merchants  No support from Canadiens. Why?

Forces of Change: Social

To the People of Canada The reversal of the ancient policy of Great Britain whereby she withdrew from the colonies…protection in her markets, has produced the most disastrous effects upon Canada. In surveying the actual condition of the country what but ruin or rapid decay meets the eye!...our country stands before the world in humiliating contrast with its immediate neighbours, exhibiting every symptom of a nation sinking to decay.

With super abundant water power and cheap labour, especially in Lower Canada, we have yet no domestic manufactures; …Our institutions, unhappily, have not that impress of permanence which alone can impart security and inspire confidence, and the Canadian market is too limited to inspire the foreign capitalist. While the adjoining States are covered with a network of thriving railways, Canada possesses but three lines, which together, scarcely exceed 50 miles in length… a fatal symptom of the torpor overspreading the land… of all remedies that have been suggested for the acknowledged and insufferable ills with which our country is afflicted, there remains but one to be considered… …THIS REMEDY CONSISTS IN THE FRIENDLY AND PEACEFUL SEPARATION FROM BRITISH CONNECTION AND A UNION UPON EQUITABLE TERMS WITH THE GREAT NOTH AMERICAN CONFEDERACY OF SOVERIEGN STATES



Forces of Change: Economic

End of Mercantilism  “an economic system in which a   nation depends on its colonies to supply raw materials and markets for manufactured goods.” Case in point: Canadian Corn Act (1843)- pg 73 Caused a depression throughout BNA  Timber in the Maritimes  “Necessity is the mother of all invention”  NB, NS, Quebec turned to  shipbuilding- 700/year in 1860s Timber, grain, fish thanks to US Civil War (1861-1865) and Crimean War (1854-1856)

Forces of Change: Economic



Reciprocity

 “trade agreement based on mutual agreement”  Goods pass freely without barriers (quotas, tariffs, duties)  Access needed to make up for loss of British market  1840s- American government not in agreement, due to pressure from  Vermont & Massachusetts.

1849- Halifax Conference

US Interests

 Fishing rights to Maritime inshore fisheries Increased level of prosperity Basis for negotiating common interests

Canadian Interests

 Newfoundland: fish  Nova Scotia: coal  New Brunswick: timber  Canada East/West: flour

See railway maps page 78

Forces of Change: Technological

Forces of Change: Technological

 Power of railways  Increased cargo of goods and people  Steady speed (50kph)    Weather not a (major) hindrance Connections enhanced to US markets Telegraph lines   News Ideas  Change to where people lived  Some small rural communities declining due to manufacturers taking over small suppliers  Some mills closed as production done in cities  New communities created along the expanding lines (especially into Western Canada)

Forces of Change: Technological

 Building of the Grand Truck Railway  Welcome by those in industry and commerce. Why?

 Expensive and ambitious- bailed out by the United Canadas.  Why does government participate in infrastructure projects?

 Why does government “bail out” private projects?

 Modern Connection: P3s

Context: Political Deadlock

Responsible Government: Canadas (IV)

• •

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.

• •

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.

Context: Political Deadlock

 Overarching problem: Lack of stable government. Why is a stable government

desirable?

1. Equal distribution of seats between Canada West and Canada East. Recall: why was this done, and for whose benefit?

 Canada East able to be dominating force. Case in point: 1851 Roman Catholic  schools support Challenge of the needed double majority.

2. Large number of political parties and independent members.

 Conservative Party, Bleus, Reformers, Liberal Party, Clear Grits, Parti Rouge.  Representation by population.

 Census 1851: Canada West (952, 000) Canada East (890, 000). How has this changed? Who would rep by pop benefit?

 Loose fish.

 Non-confidence.

Context: Political Deadlock

 Overarching problem: Lack of stable government. 5 successive coalition governments in 2 years.

Administrative standstill.

Economic, social and political ineffectiveness.

Context: Political Deadlock

 Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

 Solution? The Great Coalition. Reformers Moderate Expansion of industry and commerce

Clear Grits

Canada West

George Brown

Liberals

Canada West

Francis Hinks

Conservative Party

Canada West

(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

Parti Rouge

Canada East

Antoine-Aime Dorion

Bleus

Canada East

Geroge-Etienne Cartier

Context: Political Deadlock

 Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

 Solution? The Great Coalition. Galt Reformers Moderate Expansion of industry and commerce

Clear Grits

Canada West

George Brown

Liberals

Canada West

Francis Hinks

Conservative Party

Canada West

(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

Parti Rouge

Canada East

Antoine-Aime Dorion

Bleus

Canada East

Geroge-Etienne Cartier See pg 84

Les Devoirs

 Read chapter 4 (pages 72-86)  Complete questions 1, 2, 8 and 9 on page 86  Complete your assigned question and post to wikispace before next class.

Page and Question

Pg 75 #1 Pg 75 #2 Pg 75 #3 Pg 76 #1 Pg 77 #1 Pg 77 #2

Students

Philip, Andrew C Thomas, Jerry Max, Nicholas Edmond, Adam Benny, Jeffrey Conor, Patrick

Page and Question

Pg 79 #1 Pg 79 #2 Pg 82 # 3 Pg 82 #4 Pg 85 #1 Pg 85 #2 Pg 85 #3 Raul, Vincent Marcus Josh Andrew W, Jacky Ruoni, Rocky Ray Brendan

Students