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Samuel de Champlain Founded New France
Samuel de Champlain found the plot of land where he would build a settlement that would one day be known as Quebec City. This is crucial to the Confederation as, without the French, Canada would be a monolingual country, and may have never been diverse enough to see themselves as a separate people from the Crown and the British Empire. -
The British Empire Conquered New France
The British Empire conquered New France. They now had to deal with giving rights to the French colonies. How they dealt with them would lay the groundwork for French Canadians and how they would behave and represent themselves in the government later on. Among other rights, the British Empire protected the French Canadiens’ right to practice their religion. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a showdown between the colonies of Canada and the Americans. The Americans wanted Canada for themselves, while the British, French Canadiens, and First Nations were fighting for independence. At one point in the war, the inhabitants of Canada were very much united. This unity and sense of comradery and nationalism would later translate into the Confederation. -
The Decline of the Fur Trade
The decline of the Fur Trade and the merger of the HBC and the NWC. The biggest reason the British Empire began the colonies in Canada was to exploit Canada’s resources. With the decline of the fur trade, there was no money coming in from Canada, making the British Empire less eager to support Canada, which paved the way for Canada’s Confederation. -
Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada
There were rebellions fought in Upper and Lower Canada. This was due to the lack of people being represented in government positions. Only the interests of the elite were being fixated upon in political talk. It was these rebellions that led to the Act of Union, another step forward towards Confederation. -
The Act of Union
The Act of Union was passed by the British Parliament. This was in response to the rebellions three years previously. The act combined Upper and Lower Canada into one government at the insistence of the Durham Report. This was one step closer to Confederation as people now represented the government instead of the elites. -
Repeal of the Corn Laws
Britain took back the Corn Laws. This caused Canada to lose its advantage with its mother country as a trading partner. Now that they were treated the same as everyone else, Canada had less reason to feel loyal towards Britain. Canada had a need to become self-sufficient, and this paved the way for Confederation. -
Repeal of the Timber Agreement
Britain revoked Canada’s special timber agreement. Once again, like the Corn Laws, Canada lost its advantage. It was very clear Britain was distancing itself from its Canadian colony, and Canada would be forced to look for trade agreements elsewhere, thus emboldening Canada towards Confederation. -
Political Deadlock
There was a political deadlock in Canada’s government. “Rep by pop” was not implemented yet, so English and French interests would constantly cancel each other out in the assemblies. A change was needed, which could be brought about by Confederation. This deadlock primed the politicians to better accept the change that was to come. -
St. Alban’s Incident
The St. Alban’s Incident caused the United States to issue threats at Canada and end the free trade agreement between the two. It caused the colonies within Canada to realize just how unprepared they were if the Americans decided to attack. This applied the right amount of pressure to make the colonies and leaders within Canada really consider Confederation. -
Charlottetown Conference
The Charlottetown Conference was a huge stride towards Confederation, as delegates that represented the colonies met together to discuss the union of initially just Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. However, Ontario and Quebec also wanted to be included, so discussions for unification across all the colonies were discussed. -
Abolishment of the Free Trade Agreement
The United States did not renew the free trade agreement with Canada, which Canada was heavily dependent on for trade. They did this in the hopes Canada would join with the United States, but this plan backfired intensely. Instead, it made Canadians more reliant on themselves and made them consider Confederation even more. -
The Fenian Raids
The Fenian Raids was the Irishmen’s method of fighting Britain through Canada. The numerous attacks on different public spaces and on colony officers was enough to drastically change public opinion. There simply wasn’t a common military for the colonies, leaving them open to attack. This increased the public’s opinion and desire for Confederation. -
The London Conference
The London Conference was where debate and discussion over the unification of Canada came to a point. The delegates of Canada drafted the British North America Act, which was based on the 72 Resolutions. This was the final step towards becoming a Confederation. -
The Signing of the British North America Act
The signing of the British North America Act. This is considered to be the true beginning of Canada’s Confederation. This act joined the provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia to be joined under one Dominion. This divided Canada into four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. This also created legislative power in Canada in the form of a parliament, both the Senate and the House of Commons.