confederation: how and why is it historically significant?
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Confederation: how and why is it historically significant?. SS10: Historical perspective & significance. How was Confederation historically significant ?. Characteristics to Establish Potential Historical Significance : Was it important? Have the consequences been durable? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CONFEDERATION: HOW AND WHY IS IT HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT?
SS10: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE & SIGNIFICANCE
How was Confederation historically significant ?
Characteristics to Establish Potential Historical Significance:
Was it important? Have the consequences been
durable? How many people were affected? How deeply were people affected? How relevant was/is Confederation
to daily life?
Analytical Justification of Historical Significance : Does it reveal a new/enduring
pattern? Did it result in compelling
change? Is it part of a/the cultural
narrative? (To whom would the above apply? Not apply?)
LET’S RE-CAP….What forces/actions/events led to the move towards Confederation
in the first place?
Proclamation of 17631) End of 7 Years War
2) British victory3) Created Quebec, protected some
Canadien traditions, some aspects not enacted
Quebec Act 17741) 1774
2) Assimilation, loyalty3) Enlarged territory, a final
intolerable act, Canadien protection, no elected assembly
Durham Report 1839 1) Post Rebellions
2) Request for cause/recommendations
3) Moving forward with ideas of reform and union
Act of Union 18401) Reaction to Durham Report
2) The accepted portion of the Durham Report
3) Showed difference between colony and country, fanned the flames of reform,
beginning of merger of colonies
INTRODUCING LORD DURHAMThe Man:•John “Radical Jack” Lambton•Powerful voice of reform in 1830s•Advocated for secret ballot and extended voting rights•Born 1792 Died 1840
The Job:•Head Commission of Inquiry into 1837/8 Rebellions•Make recommendations for the future of Canadas.•Serve as GG.•“People who wanted to see political change in the colonies were pleased by Durham’s appointment.” Why?
DURHAM REPORT OBSERVATIONS Causes of Conflict in Lower Canada•Industrial Economy vs. Agricultural Economy“I expected to find a contest between a government and a people: I found two nations warring in the bosom of single state…It will be acknowledged…that sooner or later the English race was sure to predominate even numerically in Lower Canada.”
On the Union of the Canadas•Solution to political, cultural and economic problems: assimilation.“I have little doubt that the French, when once placed by legitimate course of events and the working of natural causes, in a minority, would abandon their vain hopes of a nationality.”
Causes of Conflict in Upper Canada•Clergy Reserves“as most emigrants are not members of the COE, the disproportion is likely to increase…I know of no mode of this question being settled but by repealing all provisions in Imperial Acts that relate…to the clergy reserves…”
On Responsible Government•Noted envy of colonists of economic prosperity and democratic system of USA.•Annexation a real threat.“this is the last effort of their almost exhausted patience…and that the government of the colony should henceforth be carried on in conformity with the views of the majority of the Assembly.”
WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT?
1. Powers of Governor General are limited2. Executive council comes from the elected assembly3. Executive council is accountable to the elected
assembly
Relationship to Canada:• British: the battle between Canadas and Britain• US: influenced the desire for responsible government to
prevent the threat of annexation • Responsible Government in the Canadas: achieved at
different times, for different peoples.
DURHAM REPORT ACTION
X
Accepted• Union of Canadas into one colony• Debts merged into one.• Canada West and Canada East.• One elected Legislative Assembly- each
Canada had equal representation.
Denied• Structures to implement Responsible
Government.
PUSH FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: MARITIMES
No large recent
immigration
No bitter French/English divide
Joseph Howe• Twice led non
confidence votes against Governors
• Appointed to Executive Council
• Forced withdrawal of 3 governors
• 1847 Election- Reformer Victory
• 1848- NS• 1849- NB• 1851- PEI• 1855- NL
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: CANADASBaron Syndenham • First governor of United Canadas
• Two tasks1. Bring economic prosperity.
• Success!2. Prevent introduction of responsible
government.• Forced to end practice of lifetime
appointments to Executive Council.• Divided Clergy Reserves amongst all
Churches.• Clergy Reserve Revenues used to fund
schools.• District Council Act 1841.
LASupport
Election 1844•Tories win a majority.•Metcalfe (GG) appoints Tories to Executive Council
Election 1848•Refomers win large majority.•Metcalfe has resigned, GG is now Elgin (Durham’s son in law), Secretary is now Grey (Durham’s brother in law).•Elgin calls upon Baldwin and LaFontaine to form Executive Council. They select from their Assembly.
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT: CANADAS
Test #1•1849 Rebellion Losses Bill•Elgin did not favour passage; signs it.
Test #2•1859 tariffs (20%) on imported goods to raise money for public works.•British merchants upset, British government threatens to dissallow, but eventually backs down.
IF IT’S NOT ONE THING…
…IT’S ANOTHER.Double Majority leading to Deadlock…• …Both English AND
French• …Both Canada West
AND Canada East
Chaos in the Parties…
… and, another.
Overarching problem: Lack of stable government (double majority, chaos).
Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown
Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)
BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier
ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce
LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks
ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion
… and, another.
Overarching problem: Lack of stable government (double majority, chaos).
Coping Mechanisms: Coalition Governments
… and, another.
Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.
Solution? The Great Coalition.
Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown
Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)
BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier
ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce
LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks
ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion
Galt
See pg 84
… and, another.
CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION
Pressing Issue:• Unstable governments… deadlock… lack of progress
Generally Accepted Solution:• Union
Pressing Questions:• Is accommodation of distinctive cultures possible? What form of government would best serve the
colonies? Will union provide security?
CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION
1. Compromise Dogmatic vs. Pragmatic Leadership Formative Events
CONFEDERATION:THE WORK OF THE GREAT COALITION
2. Auxiliary KingdomLife Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness vs. Peace, Order and Good GovernmentIN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of AmericaWhen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
TO JOIN OR NOT TO JOIN….
Task
1) Read the information on your given colony
2) Identify the position taken on joining Confederation
3) Identify the reasons for their position
4) Consider the multiple perspectives on this position
5) Prepare to share with the class
CONFEDERATION CONFERENCES Three conferences took place that helped shape the move towards Confederation:
1) Charlottetown (September 1864)2) Quebec (October 1864),3) London, England (December 1866).
Discussion and debate from these conferences would eventually lead to the signing of the British North America Act in 1867 and the formation of the Dominion of Canada
What happened in the Conferences?
CHARLOTTETOWN CONFERENCE 1864• Leaders of the Maritime provinces were already meeting
to discuss a form of unity • Goal was to gain greater independence from the British• Province of Canada found out about this meeting and
asked to be included
Outcomes of the conference• PEI, NS and NB were concerned about joining in a union
with the Province of Canada• Agreed to meet one month later in Quebec
QUEBEC CONFERENCE 1864 • Beginning to draft the resolutions needed to shape out a
united Canada looking at the British colonies north of the 49th parallel
Outcomes of the Conference • Agreements made on power division, structure of
government and a civil code• NS and NB agreed to join the Province of Canada
LONDON CONFERENCE 1866• NS, NB and the Province of Canada working together to
discuss issues facing the new Dominion
Confederation achievedOn July 1, 1867, Queen Victoria assented to the bill that became the British North America Act, creating the Dominion of Canada. The new dominion was made up of four provinces:
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
How was Confederation historically significant ?
Characteristics to Establish Potential Historical Significance:
Was it important? Have the consequences been
durable? How many people were affected? How deeply were people affected? How relevant was/is Confederation
to daily life?
Analytical Justification of Historical Significance : Does it reveal a new/enduring
pattern? Did it result in compelling
change? Is it part of a/the cultural
narrative? (To whom would the above apply? Not apply?)