Yasin History Flashcards

What are the reasons for Confederation?

What are the reasons for Confederation?

Oregon Border Dispute, Repeal of the Corn Act 1846, Changing attitude in England, Railways in the 1850s, Beginning of the industrial economy, American Civil War 1861-65, The Fenian raids of 1866.

Nova Scotia approach to confederation

Nova Scotia initially opposed Confederation but later joined due to financial incentives and the promise of a more secure and efficient railway connection.

Oregon Border Dispute - June 15, 1846

A dispute between Britain and the US, about where the border of Oregon County would be. America wanted it to be at the 54th parallel, and Britain wanted it to be at the 42nd parallel. James Polk claimed America would fight for it if it weren't placed at the 54th parallel. It was a critical dispute, and if it hadn't been resolved, they would have gone to war.

Repeal of the Corn Act - May 15, 1846

Grain from British colonies entered Britain tax-free, but other countries had a lot of tax added. In 1846, free traders won out, and Corn Laws were done, allowing BNA colonies to search for other grain markets. It promoted trade and union between colonies.

Changing Attitude in England - Mid-19th Century

British attitude to colonies changed in the mid-19th century. People felt colonies were too expensive to maintain. When colonies began approaching Great Britain about Confederation and independence, the British were ready to give up their political hold on the colonies.

Railways in the 1850s

Construction of the Grand Trunk Railway (connected Toronto to Montreal) was crucial for economic prosperity for BNA colonies, since people and goods could be transported between colonies at record speeds. Construction began in 1852 and ended November 7 1885.

Beginning of an Industrial Economy

More industries grew in BNA after the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway. Many new industries sprouted up, like metal workshops, rolling mills, flour mills, etc. The growth of these industries let BNA colonies become less reliant on Britain to supply manufactured goods.

American Civil War - April 12, 1861 - April 9, 1865

The northern states fought against southern states between 1861 and 1865. War was about slavery. South states wanted to keep slavery, and Northern states wanted to get rid of them. After the war, BNA colonies feared the northern states (who won) would turn on them because Britain supported the South during the war.

Fenians

Secret society of Irish Catholics who'd emigrated to the US, but were committed to Irish independence from Great Britain.

Fenian Raids - April of 1866 - October 1871

Since BNA colonies were the closest place Fenians could attack Britain, they launched raids at Britain's border. The attacks made Canadians see how vulnerable they were and strengthened support for the Confederation.

When was the Dominion of Canada made?

On July 1, 1867, with four provinces: Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

Constitutional Monarchy

When a country recognizes its Queen or King as the Head of State and the Prime Minister as the Head of Government.

Canada's Constitution

The law that describes governance in Canada. Sets out the different roles of the branches of the Canadian Government.

Canada's Head of State

Canada's Head of State is Britain's King (formerly Queen), but the Governor General represents him.

Governor General

A part of the executive and legislative branches, and gives royal assent to passed laws.

Canada's Parliamentary System

Consists of three branches that work together to govern Canada: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

Charlottetown Conference - September 1 - 9 1864

Brought delegates from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Canada East and West to discuss a Maritime Union. George Étienne Cartier and John A. Macdonald attended the conference and presented reasons for a larger BNA union. Alexander Galt shared ideas for financial arrangements, while George Brown outlined his vision for a united government. This conference laid the foundation for further discussions about the BNA union.

Quebec Conference - October 10 - 27 1864

Formalized and expanded upon discussions that began at the Charlottetown Conference. Delegates at the conference discussed the governance structure for the new country and decided on a bicameral system of Government consisting of an Upper and Lower House. The conference affirmed the importance of maintaining ties with Britain by having a Governor General who would represent the British Monarchy in the new country. The ideas discussed at this conference were put in a document called the 72 Resolutions.

London Conference - December 1866 - March 1867

Politicians from Canada East, West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia met with British officials in England to finalize the details of the Confederation. Discussions during this conference created The BNA Act, outlining the guidelines for the new country. Then, on July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada came into existence with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

Upper Canada (Ontario) Approach to Confederation

Upper Canada was concerned about economic issues and trade with the United States. They supported the Confederation as a means of achieving economic stability and safeguarding its interests.

Lower Canada (Quebec) Approach to Confederation

Lower Canada supported Confederation because they saw it as a way to protect their cultural and religious rights within a larger, predominantly English-speaking nation.

New Brunswick's Approach to Confederation

New Brunswick supported Confederation. Economic and transportation interests drove their support of Confederation, as the railway was seen as a crucial development for them.

PEI Approach to Confederation

They did not join the Dominion of Canada until 1873, when a crippling debt forced it to join the country as its seventh province.

Rupert's Land's Approach to Confederation

This was a place that was divided evenly among Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories after the Confederation.

British Columbia Approach to Confederation

British Columbia joined Canada as the country's sixth province on July 20, 1871, due to the threat of American invasion (embodied by the Alaska Purchase of 1867) and the promise of a railway linking BC to the rest of Canada.

Trade Alliance

A treaty between two or more countries that sets the rules for trade, such as taxes, tariffs, and quotas. Trade alliances can be preferential or free trade, depending on how much they reduce or eliminate trade barriers. Trade alliances often include investment guarantees as well.

Reciprocity

The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organisation to another.

Representation by population.

A political system where the number of seats in a legislature is based on population. It ensures that all votes have equal weight. It was a controversial issue in the Province of Canada before Confederation.

Coalition

An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states.

Confederation

The bringing together of the British and North American colonies.

Intercolonial

Occurring or existing between two or more colonies

Tory

An American colonist who supported the British side during the American Revolution

Manifest Destinies

The American belief that all of North America belonged to them

Immigrants

A person who comes to live in another country permanently

Alliance

A union or association formed for equal benefit for all members. This is especially true with countries or colonies.

Trade

The action of buying and selling goods or services

Politician

Someone who works or is professionally involved in the Government, usually a holder or candidate of an elected office

Political Deadlock

When there are equal votes on both sides, there is no advancement in what each party wants, and no one can secure the majority amount of votes. A coalition is typically formed when an emergency happens. This is important to Canada because Canada faced a political deadlock, and a Great Coalition was formed.

Responsible Government

: A government that is accountable to its people.

Province

A principal division of certain countries or empires.

The Sun Never Sets in Britain

A phrase used by the British. It meant the British had colonies worldwide, so when it would be night in Britain, it would be day in another one of their colonies.

Colony

A country or area under full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one. It is occupied by settlers from the country in control.

Railway

The track made of steel along which a train runs. It is also referred to as a railroad.

Union

A club, society, or association formed by people with a common interest or purpose.

Legislative Assembly

The lower house of the parliament (legislative branch) in the province of Canada.

Executive Branch

Decision-making branch. It is made up of Monarch, Prime Minister, and Cabinet.

Legislative Branch

Law-making branch. Made up of the Senate and House of Commons

Judicial branch

Interprets laws. Includes Canada's court systems.

Bicameral

Having two chambers

Members of Parliament (MPs)

People in the House of Commons.

George-Étienne Cartier

The co-premier of the Province of Canada. He was a lawyer, railway promoter, and politician. He dominated the politics of Quebec for a generation and served as Canada's first minister of militia and defence.

John A. Macdonald

He was the first prime minister of Canada from 1867-73 and 1878-91. He was a lawyer, businessman, and politician. He was Canada's first and second longest-serving prime minister.

George Brown

Was a journalist, politician, senator, and cattle breeder. He played a vital role in Confederation by being a reformer who helped bring responsible Government to Upper Canada and helped arrange the great coalition. He participated in the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences in 1864 and is a Father of Confederation.

Great Coalition of 1864 -67

A grand coalition of political parties that ended political Deadlock in the Province of Canada. It existed between June 1864 until the Confederation in July 1 1867.