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The gold rush
The gold rush was significant to B.C because it brought TONS of new people to B.C. Between April and September 30 000 people arrived in B.C. The gold rush brought many people from many different countries including China and Spain. The gold rush helped turn the Vancouver/Victoria area into the diversely cultured place it is today. -
The union of B.C and Vancouver Island
Due to financial deficits the colonies of B.C and Victoria had to be united as one province. The increasing demand for a responsible government made by De Cosmos. In March of 1867 De Cosmos convinced Governor Seymour to send a telegram to the colonial office asking for a provision in the British North America act that would allow B.C to join confederation. -
The U.S
In March 1867, the U.S bought Alaska. This left B.C with Americans to the north and south. The Americans proposed that B.C be given to them as settlement of claims against Britain arising from the Civil war. B.C was totally isolated from the rest of Canada. Being surrounded by Americans and being cut off from the rest of Canada was one of the reasons B.C joined Confederation. -
The death of Frederick Seymour
Frederick Seymour has always opposed union with Canada and his death meant that B.C could finally join confederation. His replacement Anthony Musgrave supported union with Canada, so this made joining confederation an easier task. -
Amor De Cosmos
Amor De Cosmos was a Nova Scotian who came to B.C through California. Cosmos then founded a newspaper called the British Colonist. Amor was one of the leading supporters for joining Canada, which usually put him in opposition of the many people who thought B.C shouldn't join Canada. -
B.C becomes a province
In the spring of 1870 the colony debated joining confederation. They eventually decided to join Canada without a responsible government. The federal leaders in Ottawa insisted they have an organized government before joining confederation. B.C agreed to this and terms were passed by the B.C assembly and the federal parliament, and B.C joined Canada as the sixth province by 1871 -
The Railroad
The Government of Canada built a massive railroad stretching from the east to west coasts. The railroad connected all of B.C's provinces and was one of the terms that made B.C become a province -
No more debt for B.C
The deal between B.C and Canada included getting rid of B.C's debt. This was huge for B.C because they had a substantial debt after spending tons of money on roads in their province. -
The Aboriginals
Ottawa let B.C decide the handling of aboriginal affairs. The Aboriginals were left land that they could use but it was no were close to the land they once had. -
Independence
B.C could have chosen to become an independent country. The reason this wasn't chosen was mainly because of debt and the lowering economy since the gold rush. B.C was also faced with population declines after the gold rush.
