Confederation Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is a bill?
A Bill was a proposal to make a law or act
Rebellion losses bill?
The rebellion losses bill was a bill compensating ppl of east canada who suffered property damage (incl. some rebels) during rebellions.
Why was the rebellion losses bill important?
Since lord elgin and others hated but he approved the bill which really brought democracy to canada but brought outrage to some people.
What was a corn law?
Corn laws were laws which protected agriculture in the british empire by limiting the import of grain from other countries, like a preferential tariff to the colonies making certain countries goods cheaper, but corn laws were then repealed
Tariff
A tariff was a duty or charge, that must be paid on an imported item.
Economy of Canada?
Britain’s economic relationship with the colonies was changing, 1846 corn laws repealed a part of navigation acts which led to unemployment and recession and economic depression, since Britain could buy wheat from other countries for the lowest prices and creating few er factories and industries.
Who was lord elgin
Lord Elgin (James Bruce) was the new governor in 1846, lord Durham's son in law Goal: create responsible government and make canada more independent ; too expensive for UK to handle and support, introduce democracy so people didn't want to revolt
Who were the Fenians and what were the fenian raids?
Fenians were angry Irishmen during the Civil war who planned multiple raids against canada but failed.
Confederation and Federation?
Confederation is an organization that consists of colonies that want to unite together, this is the act of a federation and a federation is a union of provinces each of which keeps certain powers but gives up other powers to a central, national government
Cons of Confederation
Lose there independence: defence, foreign affairs, and postage
Many preferred dealing with London instead of each other
Taxes could go up
Little in common with each other (Maritimes vs Quebec)
Pros of Confederation
Corn laws repealed: BNAs economy hurt: joining may help, this led to unemployment and recession in Canada
Expanding West: Rupert’s land (HBC), Unify with BC
Put together larger army- protection against civil war and fenian raids
Building a railway, access to Maritimes ports
What was Manifest Destiny?
Manifest Destiny was an American idea that it was the fate of the united states to control all of North America and Canadians were suspicious of American intentions in the west due to invasions.
American Civil War?
The American civil war 1861-65 the industrialized north fought the agricultural south a divise issue was the south supported slavery. And more soldiers in the north than ppl in Canada
Political parties
Political parties were a new concept in pre confederation canada and a political party attracts ppl who have similar ideas and goals and in canada were formed to represent the french and English
Who were the 4 main political parties?
In lower canada: Parti rouge- Papineau ( didn’t want to join )
Parti bleu-Cartier
In upper canada: Clear grits: Liberals- Brown
Tories:conservatives-MacDonald
Macdonald’s Party
The tories in canada west had views that were less democratic as browns but he was more astute politician and made a deal with Parti bleu that enabled a combined party an important step toward confederation and also helped with double majority
John A macdonald
He was one of the architects of Canadian confederation in 1864 he gave an engaging but untruthful speech, leaving out the part most ppl didnt want to unite together he said the scheme as a whole has met almost universal approval and was the first prime minister
George Brown and his party
He used his newspaper to spread his views. In canada west the clear grits attacked corruption in government and was a radical party, they wanted more democracy and defended English Canadian interests and brown was an abrasive man who disliked both catholics and french making enemies quickly and pushed for representation by population
George Etienne Cartier
he was a wealthy francophone who invested in railways and as a young man he was part of the LC rebellions and later a driving force behind confederation
Cartier’s party
He was leader of parti bleu in LC and focused on economic development and protection of french- canadiens culture, and was prepared to work together to do so and had the support of the Catholic Church
Papineau’s Party
East Canada former radical rebel led parti rouge and represented french speaking farmers and business people and wanted american style government and hated the act of union
How did nova scotia and new brunswick feel about confederation?
they felt joining may make them become a smaller part of a whole rather than equal partner, they consisted of acadians scots Irish and others
Reciprocity
an agreement that provided for free trade between the US and the British colonies after the repeal of corn laws
1st conference
Charlottetown PEI Sept 1864- amongst maritimes only to figure out whether to join but cartier brown macdonald seized there chance crashing the party ,the great coalition and discussed their plans for confederation, PEI nova scotia and new brunswick agreed in principle
