Canadian Confederation

William Lyon Mackenzie

Jan 1, 1837

William Lyon Mackenzie was the leader of the rebels in Upper Canada. Louis Joseph Papineau was the leader of the rebels in Lower Canada. Bothe colonies were unhappy with the way the government was being run.

Lord Durham As Governor

Apr 2, 1838

Lord Durham comes to Canada as governor to investigate the rebllions in both Upper and Lower Canada. He suggest that the two colonies join as one, and that they be given a responsible government.

Canada West & East

Jan 1, 1841

Upper Canada becomes Canada West and Lower Canada becomes Canada East. Both come together to make the united province of Canada.

Reciprocity Treaty

Jun 6, 1854

Canada and the U.S. signed a reciprocity treaty insuring reduction of customs duties.

The Fenians

Apr 2, 1866

The fenians organize and begin a series of raids on Canadian territory in hopes of diverting British troops from the homeland.

Confederation

Jul 1, 1867

Confederation: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec become the dominion of Canada. John A Macdonald becomes the first prime minister.

New Brunswick

Jul 1, 1867

New Brunswick joins confederation. Many of the settlers thought that the powerful United States would want to expand northward into New Brunswick. they thought if they joined Canada they would have a better defense against them.

Ontario

Jul 1, 1867

Ontario joins confederation.Ontario would get its own provincial government to make more important decisions. the government in Ottawa would make decisions for all the people of the new country.

Nova Scotia

Jul 1, 1867

Nova Scotia joins confederation. Nova Scotia was very hesitant about joining confederation, but with the generious money supports coming from Canada.

Quebec

Jul 1, 1867

Quebec joins confederation. The leaders believed that a closer connection with the other colonies would help to make the economy stronger.

Manitoba

Jul 15, 1870

Manitoba joins confederation. The Metis were afraid that they would lose their rights. if they had their own government it would be easier to keep their way of life.

British Columbia

Jul 20, 1871

British Columbia joins Confederation. British Columbia joined confederation because of fear of annexation from the united states, and overwhelming debt due to rapidly growing population.

Prince Edward Island

Jul 1, 1873

Prince Edward Island joins confederation. Canada was afraid that they would join the united states, So they asked them for the second time to join confederation.

Railway Progress

Apr 2, 1876

The inter colonial Railway growing out of Halifax, Links to central Canada and the Maritimes

Last Spike

Nov 16, 1885

The last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway driven at Craigellachie, British Columbia.

Yukon

Jun 13, 1898

Yukon joins confederation. Population growing rapidly because of the gold rush. Klondike gold rush attracted many Americans.

Alberta

Sep 1, 1905

Alberta joins Confederation. They felt that they should have the same government as other provinces, and to be able colect taxes for schools and other services.

Saskatchewan

Sep 1, 1905

Saskatchewan joins confederation. The population and the resources were growing. They were no longer just a fur trading area.

Newfoundland

Jul 22, 1948

Newfoundland joins confederation. many people wanted to remain a colony of Britain. And Canada helped offer to pay for roads and to develop the colony.

Nunavut

Apr 1, 1999

Nunavut joins confederation. People wanted control over their own land and resources. And they negotiated to regain control of their land as the territory joined Canada.