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The Royal Proclamation
Pontiac's resistance had shown that the first nations were a threat to British control in North America. They thought that pacifying First Nations was the best alternative to more costly wars. To do so they issued the royal proclamation, It clearly set boundaries between British colonies and lands reserved for First Nations. The plan was that Britain would negotiate with first nations to reach treaties that would open up more land for colonial settlement. most were forced into British culture. -
Corn Laws
This repel had a devastating effect on the province of Canada's economy, the corn laws had placed lower import duty on wheat and grains coming into Britain from British colonies. Without the protection of the corn laws Canadian wheat and flour had to compete with grains other countries. Because Canadian products became more expensive and exports to Britain dropped over 60%, it threw them into a regression -
Act Of Union
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United States Expansion-Manifest Destiny
Manifest destiny was a belief that the United States was destined by god to control all of North America. During the 1840s the Americans were expanding across the continent leading to the annexation of of Texas in 1845, even though mexico still claimed it as its own. The United States also looked to the northwest lands of the continent as a rich source of natural resources. the outbreak of the american civil war strengthened the sense of manifest density. the ultimate goal was never reached. -
Reciprocity
In 1854, the US and BNA colonies agreed to a reciprocity Treaty that allowed for free trade on products such as timber, grain, coal, livestock, and fish. In spring of 1866 it was cancelled. Americans believed that if the US could cripple the economy of British North America, the British would be forced into a union with the US, which never happened. after losing their second guaranteed market, many BNA leaders saw the benefits of closer economic and political cooperation with one another. -
Political Deadlock
Britain had declared in the act of union that the 2 Canada's (east and west) have equal representation in the elected assembly of the province of Canada. Britain did this because Canada Easts population outnumbered Canada Wests population. This guaranteed equal representation, However instead it lead to political deadlock. Government decisions could not be made because each side blocked the other from advancing. -
Fenian Raids
In 1859 Irish men made a brotherhood, (Fenian) in the US to promote liberation of Ireland from British control. They believed that if they could capture the BNA colonies they could hold them and random for freedom. In 1866 they made many attempts to raid. spring of 66, 5 Fenian crossed the border and tore down the union jack and were escorted by British troops. June 3 the Fenian crossed the border and killed 6 Canadians, wounding 30. There was a new desire for a union among the BNA colonies. -
Rep By Pop
The 1850s census showed Canada west had almost 300 000 more people then Canada east."rep by pop" would give equal representation to each vote in the assembly. It became a rallying cry between people in Canada west who agreed with browns views (that representation in the legislature should be according to the population) Canada Wests political leaders saw "rep by pop" as a democratic way to further their own agendas. french Canadian leaders saw it as an attempt by Canada west to assimilate them -
Movement For Maritime Union
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The Quebec Confrence
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The Great Coalition
In the 2 decades following the Act Of Union, the job of governing the province of Canada became unmanageable. From 1858-1862 MacDonald and Cartier served as co-premiers of Canada. Even that couldn't get them out of political deadlock. in 1864 the men were able to forget about their problems to form the great coalition. Their only goal was the creation of a union of all British North America colonies. -
The Charlottetown Conference
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The London Conference
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British North American Act
Under this act the province of Canada was divided into Canada west and Canada east. Newfoundland, P.E.I and British Columbia were still governed as British colonies. Rupert's land and the north-western territory were governed as territories. the colonies had more independence. The act was passed quietly in the house of commons. If they federal and provincial governments disagreed on something their only course of action was to turn to a British court. -
Role Of The Railway
Leaders realized that if trade between the colonies was possible, and effective rail transportation would have to be built to link them. It was believed that building the railway would open up new settlement opportunities and a stronger British presence in the west. cost were high and each government was struggling to cope with the debt from building the railroads, if they worked together and invested in the railways as one unit they could expand.