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Establishment of New France
What: Jacques Cartier's arrival in North America created New France, which propelled European colonization.
Why: It dictated the cultural and political future of Canada.
How does it relate to Confederation? French Canadians were established, which brought in problems of governance – that is the central problem resolved in Confederation. -
Treaty of Paris
What happened? This treaty ended the Seven Years' War and gave Canada to Britain from France.
Why chosen? The beginning of British control in Canada.
How did it lead to Confederation? Political reforms from challenges experienced in the governance of Britain after the treaty led to Confederation. -
Quebec Act
What happened? The Quebec Act preserved the use of French civil law and allowed Catholics their religious rights.
Why chosen? It kept the loyalty of the French Canadians since their culture had been respected.
How did it lead to Confederation? This made attention fall on accommodating diverse populations, and this was very important in Confederation. -
Rebellions of 1837-1838
What happened? The rebellions took place in Upper and Lower Canada for responsible government.
Why chosen? It demonstrated discontent with colonial rule.
How and why did it lead to Confederation? It called for responsible government; therefore, political reforms toward responsible government allowed the way forward to Confederation. -
Lord Durham's Report
What happened? There was the recommendation of the union of both Upper and Lower Canada by Lord Durham, along with responsible government.
Why chosen? This was a vital document that called for political reform.
How did it lead to Confederation? Federalism was proposed as a solution in balancing French and English interests, which played a role in discussions leading up to Confederation. -
The Act of Union
What happened? The Act of Union put together Upper and Lower Canada as one province.
Why chosen? It did not reconcile political differences and thus showed the need for federalism.
How did it lead to Confederation? It did not work out, which showed that a form of government required for local self-government was needed; this was given by federalism. -
Political Deadlock in the Province of Canada
What happened? Gridlock between English and French delegates made it impossible to govern.
Why chosen? It showed that the unitary system simply wasn't working.
How did it lead to Confederation? The deadlock compelled political leaders to investigate federalism as the method whereby regional self-government might be enacted along with cooperation on national matters. -
Conférence de Québec
What happened? The Québec Conference solidified the terms of Confederation and laid out the division of powers.
Why chosen? It was critical to develop the future government of Canada.
How did it lead to Confederation? The structure decided upon in the conference became the basis of the British North America Act. -
The Great Coalition
What happened? John A. Macdonald, George Brown, and George-Étienne Cartier created a coalition that broke through political stalemate.
Why chosen? It united former opposing political parties.
How did it lead to Confederation? The coalition gave the drive for the discussion of Confederation. -
Charlottetown Conference
What happened? The leaders of the Province of Canada and the Maritimes met to discuss the union of the colonies.
Why chosen? It expanded from a Maritime union to a federal union of all British North American colonies.
How did it lead to Confederation? It provided the groundwork for the next step of actual federal union negotiations that led to Confederation. -
The London Conference
What happened? Canadian leaders concluded the particulars of the Confederation with British officials.
Why chosen? It was the last step required to acquire British approval for the Confederation.
Where did it lead to Confederation? It was a direct cause leading to the passing of the British North America Act creating the Dominion of Canada. -
British North America Act
What happened? The British North America Act united officially Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada.
Why chosen? It marked the legal birth of Canada as a nation.
How did it lead to Confederation? It formalized the political union as well as the federal structure in Canada.