Flashback Canada Chapter 4

Flashback Chapter 4: Confederation Discussed and Delayed 

1. The Assassination of D’Arcy McGee

He was shot after a late night meeting at the House of Commons while he was opening his door.  He was an advocate of Confederation and strong critic of the Fenian Brotherhood. He strongly encouraged their deportation or removal of them from North America and a large militia or volunteer army to defend the British North American Colonies.  His death created panic and fear. Eventually, Patrick Whelan was convicted and executed for the assassination of D’Arcy McGee.

2. The Charlottetown Conference

The Maritime colonies (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and Newfoundland) were discussing the idea of forming a union or their own country.  Delegates from Canada West and Canada East wanted an even broader union of colonies to form Canada. They argued the following:

1. Canada West would built have a railway through Canada East, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
2. Free trade among the former colonies would open new markets or new buyers for things such as cod to farm machinery.
3. Discussions could continue in Quebec. 

3. The Quebec Conference

The Intercolonial Railway was pleased to host and pay for grand balls, banquets and social activities to support the cooperation but also to promote their own interests.  Cartier was a lawyer for this company and he too would benefit financially. All agreed on one point: the union of British colonies or the future Canada must have a strong federal government since America was imploding within itself because their federal government was too weak. 

4. The Key Points of the Seventy-Two Resolution

1. There will be a strong federal government.
2. Provincial governments look after local matters.
3. The system of government will follow the British model.
4. The federal government will have an elected House of Commons and appointed Senate (Legislative Council).
5. Representation by population or areas with larger populations will get more representatives or seats in the House of Commons.
6. Each region will be appointed senators.
7. Newfoundland, the North-West Territories (future Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta) could be allowed to join.

5. Political Cartoons

These cartoon although intended for adults are meant to make fun of political parties and their leaders.  One picture normally gets a message across to the reader.

Ask yourself these questions when you look at a political cartoon:

This is how one political cartoonist viewed Confederation in Canada East.

1. Does the cartoon have a title? ( The title is ‘La Confederation’.)
2. What is it referring to in the picture?
3. Describe what you see.
4. Who are the people or figures in the cartoon?
5. What objects, symbols, words or letters are in the drawing?
6. What messages are being made?
7. Who or what is the cartoonist making a joke of in this cartoon?
8. What is the main message of the cartoon?
9. Is this message successful?

6. Confederation discussed and Delayed

The delegates of the Quebec Conference accepted the 72 Resolutions and had to convince their populations that they would be a good idea.  It was not easy. 

7. Seesaw in New Brunswick

Premier Tilley of New Brunswick supported Confederation, but there was an anti-Confederation movement in the colony.  At the Quebec Conference, it was agreed that each member of the Dominion of Canada would get a subsidy from the federal government.  This sum of money would be based on the population. It was estimated that it was 80 cents per person, so the anti-Confederates argues that Ottawa was buying the people of New Brunswick for 80 cents each. 

In the next election, the anti-Confederate party won, but Tilley still supported Confederation for the following reasons:

1. Railways would open up new lands for development and forestry.
2. Jobs would be created.
3. New Brunswick goods were no longer tax free, so they could now sell them to the rest of Canada.
4. The British supported Confederation since the colonies were an economic  burden.
5. Fenians did attack the colony in 1866 and the militia was not a permanent solution for the need for a national army rather than relying on British troops. 

8. Success in Canada West

George Brown was the great proponent and he gave six reasons why Canada West should join Confederation:

1. Five former British colonies would become a great nation.
2. By removing trade barriers between colonies, it would create 4 000 000 consumers since Britain and the United States were no longer guaranteed customers.
3. Canada would be the largest nation in terms of access to the sea.
4. More people would immigrate to Canada.
5. The United States was no longer a reliable trading partner.
6. The colonies could form a united military against future invasions.

9. Success and Tragedy in Canada East

1. The Parti Rouge led by Dorion was a fierce critic and he thought that French Canadians would lose out with representation by population.   The discussions were held primarily in English and not in French.
2. Cartier won over other French-speaking Canadians by promising that they would not lose their language, religion or schools.
3. The Roman Catholic Church, a powerful voice in Canada East, supported Confederation.

10. George Brown

After Confederation, he focused his attention on his the newspaper entitled, The Globe.  It is now called the Globe and Mail. A college is named after him today. He became a senator, but he was later shot by an employee at the Globe.  The employee was previously fired for being drunk at work.

11. George-Etienne Cartier

He was related to the great French explorer Jacques Cartier.  He was trained as lawyer. He was involved in the Rebellions of 1837.  He was a lawyer for one of the railway companies and a strong proponent of Confederation. 

12. Division in Nova Scotia

Premier Tupper was pro Confederation.  Joseph Howe was against Confederation. The Fenian invasion of New Brunswick made the people of Nova Scotia realize that it a Fenian invasion could be possible. 

13. Newspaper Past and Present

This was the beginning of the Age of Print.   The Halifax Gazette was formed in 1752 and the Globe was formed in 1844.  By 1865, there were almost 400 newspapers in British North America.

14. Joseph Howe

Joseph Howe argued that subsidies from Ottawa were a mere 40 cents per person, so the people of Nova Scotia were being bought for the price of one sheepskin. 

15. Rejection in Prince Edward Island

For six years after the Quebec Conference, the people of P.E.I. were against Confederation.  Why?

1. They feared that their small population would mean few representatives and no political voice.   (It was only 5 out of 194 members in the House of Commons in Ottawa.)
2. A bridge, at this point, could not be built to the mainland of New Brunswick, so a railroad seemed ridiculous.
3. The people needed the land to be purchased from absentee landlords, so farmers could buy not rent land on the island.

16. Ferries or Passenger Boats from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island

During the milder months, a ferry could transport passengers from P.E.I. across the Northumberland Straits to New Brunswick, but in the winter the Straits would have winter pack ice.   Boats would be rowed and physically hauled over ice packs and then rowed to the next ice pack. It was very dangerous. P.E.I. was very isolated in the wintertime.

17. Rejection in Newfoundland

Why?

1. Newfoundlanders felt more tied to Britain than the newly formed Dominion of Canada. 
2. Some argued that Ottawa would raise taxes in Newfoundland to pay for Confederation.
3. Some thought that the men would be forced to serve in the new army and a possible new navy.

18. Anti-Confederation Song from Newfoundland

Ye brave Newfoundlanders who plough the salt sea

With hearts like the eagle so bold and so free,

….

Would you barter (sell) the rights of your fathers have won,

Your freedom transmitted from father to son?

For a few thousand dollars of Canadian gold,

Don’t let it be said that your birth right be sold.