CONFEDERATION

By Arfa Akhtar

BACKGROUND OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA IN THE EARLY 1860

13 Colonies English government controlled colonies Rupert's Land include Manitoba, most of Saskatchewan, southern Alberta & Nunavut, northern parts of Ontario & Quebec, parts of Minnesota & North Dakota & very small parts of Montana & South Dakota.Rupert's land owned by the Hudson's Bay Company from 1670 to 1870

ADVANTAGE; INTERCONTINENTAL RAILWAY.

Improve trades of goods , and transportation

Defense against possible US attacks

ADVANTAGE; BRITISH NAVY

Most Powerful in the world No longer obligated to defend Canada if

it gave up colonial status

ADVANTAGE; MORE JOBS

Economy could prosper Canada West citizens would pay higher

taxes to support poorer provinces

ADVANTAGE; RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

British appointed governors would no longer control affairs in Canada

Govern themselves and more efficient party

ADVANTAGE; UNITED COLONIES

Eliminate high intercontinental tariffs and trade barriers

DISADVANTAGE; CULTURE

Loyalist Very proud of British Heritage , didn’t want to sever ties with mother country

Quebec residents worried about loosing language and culture

DISADVANTAGE; BUSINESSES

Small Maritimes companies wouldn’t be able to compete with larger companies

More opportunities in the states

DISADVANTAGE; SMALL POPULATION

Maritime provinces , would not have a voice

Decisions would be made by Canada west and Canada east

DISADVANTAGE; ISLANDS

No rail roads for islands such as PEI

DISADVANTAGE; DOUBLE MAJORITY

Canada east and Canada west have to make a simple majority

THE ROLE OF THE GREAT COALITION

Sir Jon A Macdonal represented the conservatives

Sir George Brown represented the clear grits in the canada west

Georges Etienne Cartier leader of parti-bleu

Alexander Tilloch became a leading figure in the creation of the Coalition

FINAL DECISION

Canada announced as a nation Idea of responsible government was

still not introduced to Canada MacDonald became first legal Prime

Minister