Grade 8 History: Confederation

Grade 8, Confederation, Setting the Stage, the Pacific Coast, First Nations and the Fur Trade, Colonies of the Pacific Coast, & Rupert’s Land, page 5.

1.         Clearly, British Columbia or Caledonia was established by the First Nations.  What we call “British Columbia” today is hemmed in by the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean.  The Hudson Bay Company traded goods for sea otter pelts and Russians, Americans, British, and eventually Canadians sought to acquire British Columbia.  This was heightened by the discovery of gold in the Fraser Valley. 

B.C. had 4 options: join the U.S., remain a colony of Britain, join the infant country of Canada or become independent.  B.C. will complete the dream of a nation from ‘sea to sea.’

2.         A) Russia had interests in British Columbia.

B)  Independence for B.C. surprised me as an option.

3.         From grade 7, I already knew about the Hudson Bay Company and its rival fur trading company, the North-West Company.  We learned about competition among companies and the two approaches that corporations or companies appeal to its clients and the effects of supply and demand on prices.

The Gold Rush, the Cariboo Road and Mountains, First Nations & the Gold Rush, After the Gold Rush, page 7

By the 1860’s, the population increased by 30 times its original size and soon the colony began to build roads.  The population was largely American. The colony incurs debt and Canada is willing to absorb the debt.

The Metis and Rupert’s Land, Red River Settlers, and Britain looks to the West                  Page 9

1.         The Metis are a group of people who have both European and Native ancestry.   Dating back to New France, fur traders would often have children with Native women and their offspring were referred to as Metis.

The following groups had a keen interest in what we refer to as Manitoba: the Cree, French-Canadians, Scottish settlers, British Canadians from Upper Canada, and American settlers.

2.         The Canadian West had great potential: possible farmland to grow wheat, future plots of land for settlers, access to water, a possible route for rail networks,   minerals, and a buffer zone against American expansionism.  It was part of a strong trade link.

3.         Because of the diverse population in the West and competing interests, the reader might feel that there is a possibility of conflict among groups over land, resources, and ways of life.

The Atlantic Colonies, the People of the Maritimes, Maritime Economy,         Page 11

1.                  The population was both French and English.   Nova Scotia and New Brunswick had a large French population.  There were also Irish, Welsh, and Scottish people.   In addition, there were descendants of Black Loyalists and Mi'kmaq Natives.  The Beothuk Natives of Newfoundland were decimated by British bounties and European diseases.

* Official Newfoundland history holds that the last Beothuk, a woman named Shanawdithit, died in 1829 of tuberculosis. “Although scattered rumours of Beothuk sightings persisted for the next few years, Shanawdithit is widely believed to have been the last of the Beothuk,” reads a website maintained by Memorial University of Newfoundland.

2.         The major exports were cod, seal pelts, whale oil, and timber.

3.         Various crops were grown which included potatoes, blueberries, and vegetables.

4.         The timber industry contributed to the ship building industry.

5.         Halifax is an ice-free port and protected harbour that is suitable for importing and exporting.  Above all, it is strategic or well-located.   Pier 21 is a national historical site in present-day Halifax that recognizes the historical waves of immigrants who entered Canada before the age of air travel.

The United Province of Canada, Various People, and Various Economies, page 12

The Maritimes (N.B., N.S. P.E.I. & Nfld.)

-fishing, timber, shipping, and farming

-longer history of trade and a more established population

-English is spoken

Lower Canada (Quebec)

-small scale fishing, forestry, manufacturing, former fur centres

-French is widely spoken yet there is an English speaking merchant class

Upper Canada (Southern Ontario)

-less populated yet predominately English with Irish immigration

-farming, light manufacturing, small shipping and a small merchant class

Caledonia (British Columbia)

-British population with American settlers

-large deposits of gold are discovered in the Fraser Valley

*All of the regions had Native groups that were displaced.

2. Like Alberta today, British Columbia had a precious resource.   In the case of B.C. it was gold yet today in the case of Alberta it is tar sands from which bitumen or crude oil is extracted. 

3. What if Russia colonized British Columbia? Would people in Vancouver be speaking Russian today?

Key Terms, page14

the B.C. Gold Rush- a large amount of gold is discovered which attracts a large number of prospectors or miners who believe that they likely become rich; however, the surge in population is short-lived with many leaving without money or increasing the risk of American interests or the possibility of lawless; British colony amassed a huge debt largely due to constructing roads for miners

a prospector- someone who uses various techniques such as panning for gold in order to sift through sediment to find the heavier element of gold

Metis- descendants of European and Native parents in the mid-west of present-day Canada as far back as New France and the Age of the Fur Trade in Canada

the Red River Settlement- historical farming settlements along the Red River in present-day Manitoba which attracted Scottish landless farmers or crofters under the philanthropic (well-intended charity organizer) Lord Selkirk; the lands obviously belonged to the First Nations

an economy- the wealth of resources of a nation that can be either a good or service such as timber or shipbuilding

The United Province of Canada, page 13

Differences                             Similarities                                                      Differences

Canada East                                                                                                    Canada West

Language: French                                                                                           English

                                                First Nations

                                                African or Black Loyalists

                                                Scottish, Irish, and Welsh

                                                Christians

Religion: Roman Catholics                                                                              Protestants

Population: Greater  at first                                                                           Less population at 1st

Population stabilizes                                                                                       Population increases

Economies:                                         

Shipbuilding                            Farming                                   Less developed

More Developed                     Manufacturing

                                                Timber

If we look at the above chart, we discover that the two Canadas are similar yet largely unique.  Most likely, there will exist rising tension over land, culture, political power, jobs, and manufacturing.

Key Terms, page 15

Colonies on the Pacific Coast- area west of the Rocky Mountains populated by First Nations, over-run with American prospectors, strongly tied to the U.S., areas of gold deposits in the Fraser Valley, and separated from the rest of colonies

Rupert’s Land- land between the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes

the Atlantic Colonies- Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick

the United Provinces of Canada- Canada East and Canada West formerly known as Lower Canada and Upper Canada

Outside British North America, page 16.

The Canadian colonies started to change their relationships with Britain and the U.S.A.

Britain viewed the colonies of Canada as a military and economic burden since troops were sent there and the British merchants were obligated to buy products from the colonies. It was less expensive to buy products directly from Europe.

The Repeal of the Corn Laws or Wheat Laws, pages 16 &17.

In 1804, wheat grown in Canada was not taxed when it entered England, so the people benefited from inexpensive wheat and Canadian colonies could do well economically.  The British referred to wheat also as corn.  In 1846, the British wanted even less expensive food and other products from Europe rather than just Canada.   The cancellation or repeal of the Corn Laws benefited the British but not Canadian exporters who could not compete with European products.

The End of Reciprocity

In 1854, Britain and its colonies in North America (British North America/ B.N.A.)  practised free trade or did not tax products that moved back and forth between the United States and Canada or B.N.A. However, in 1865, free trade or reciprocity ended and B.N.A. or the Canadian colonies now had to find new customers from other countries.  The economy was hurt.

Defending the Colonies

The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish terrorist group that raided parts of Canada in efforts to take Canada hostage, so Ireland would free of British or English rule. .  The Fenian raids highlighted Canada or B.N.A.’s vulnerability to invasion or threats.   Likewise, the American Civil War, the St. Albans’ Raid and the Trent Incident highlighted the possibility of an American invasion or raid.

Manifest Destiny

On three occasions, America threatened to annex or take over Canada.  During the gold rush of British Columbia and American settlers who traded and poured in the Red River, Canada felt threatened by the possibility of an increasingly large American presence.  Even American traders from Montana would operate illegal whiskey trading posts in Alberta.  This threatened the sovereignty and safety of the Canadian frontier   Manifest Destiny is the belief among American politicians that it was their right and destiny to control all of North America and to oust Britain from influencing their sphere of the world.

Page 17

1.      By cancelling the Reciprocity Treaty, free trade ended between the Canadian colonies (B.N.A.) and the United States.  When businesses now traded products across the border, they were taxed.  This protected local businesses but slowed down the economies of both nations.  Canadian cities and business people need to find new markets or new nations with which to trade.  This created economic uncertainty.

2.      Britain felt that it was a huge economic or costly burden to provide military protection to Canadians and Canadians feared that American politicians would use Manifest Destiny to justify an invasion of British North America or parts of Canada.

3.      Confederation or the joining of former British colonies in present-day Canada to unite as one to form a strong economic, political and military force against American invasions or dominance.

Inside British North America (B.N.A.), page 18.

An Economic Challenge

By 1860, Canada West, Canada East and the Maritimes had railway but they were not joined or connected across the mid-west and West Coast of the future nation. Britain and America produced more manufactured goods and B.N.A. depended on importing these finished products.

A Political Challenge

Four main parties existed. Two were French and another two were English.  Politicians were unable to agree or to pass bills that would become laws.  This became known as political deadlock and the early nation was politically dysfunctional.

A Geographic Challenge

The future Canada would become the second largest nation on Earth and the physical barriers such as mountains and great distances created challenges to unification.  Likewise, there was a tremendous cost and level of planning required to create a trans-continental railway that would stretch from “sea to sea.”

Page 19

1.      A national railway had three benefits: B.N.A. colonies stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coasts and this would unite the nation; distances could be travelled within less time; trade would increase.

2.      The British government wanted Canada East, which was mainly French Canadian, and Canada West, which was mainly English Canadian, to have an equal number of political representatives.  However, this only divided the nation since neither side could agree.

3.      Intercolonial means or suggests the following:  inter implies internal and colonial implies an area controlled by an empire.  Intercolonial railway suggests that the colonies would be internally linked through a railway.

Politics in the United Province of Canada, pages 20 and 21.

Canada West and Canada West would try to defeat new legislation that would benefit either end of the country, so political deadlock was created. Some advocated or supported representation by population or “rep by pop.”   If a region had fewer people, then they would have fewer representatives or political power whereas the region with a greater population would have more of a say in government through more representatives. French Canadians wanted to preserve their culture, identity and historical ties and fear that an English-speaking majority would challenge rights for Roman Catholics or French schools.

Canada West Parties:  Tories & Reformers

Tories:

-led by John A. Macdonald

-promoted business in Canada West or English Canada

-believed in protecting French rights

Reformers:

-led by George Brown

-believed in “rep by pop”

-wanted Canada West to expand into Rupert’s Land or Canada’s mid-west

Bleu Party

-led by George-Etienne Cartier

-supported the Roman Catholic Church in Canada

-opposed or did not believe in “rep by pop”

-wanted to protect French rights and culture

Rouge Party

-led by Antoine-Aime Dorion

-wanted a clear separation between religion and government

-wished for an American or republican form of government or more direct voting powers

Page 21

1.       The argument over an equal number of representatives or representation by population depends on the situation.  If one region wanted to dominate the other region, clearly “rep by pop” would benefit them.  However, if a country wished to have more equity in terms of balancing powers between two cultures then it would be beneficial to have an equal number of representatives.  In either case, a region normally wants the system that benefits itself the most in the short run.  In some cases, a region would also have to evaluate the long term implications of ignoring the rights of another region.  This could lead to future tensions.

2.      There were  four things that the parties in Canada East and West disagreed upon:

a)      Expansion into the western frontiers of North America

b)      The power of the Roman Catholic church in Canada

c)      The preservation of French rights

d)      Rep by pop versus equal votes

3.      Canada West initially preferred equal representation when it had a smaller population since they would have equal power, but this attitude changed once the population of Canada West began to increase.  More people began to favour “rep by pop.”

The Road to Confederation, page 22

Brown and other party leaders agree to end political deadlock by working together to form the Dominion of Canada.  Three conferences allowed this to happen:

1)      The Charlottetown Conference

Delegates from the United Province of Canada or Canada West and Canada East joined the Maritime Union or Atlantic colonies in P.E.I. to discuss the possibility of connecting the United Province of Canada to the Maritime Union via railways.  Since not all Atlantic colonies agreed, the delegates met again in Quebec City.

2)      the Quebec Conference

Although Newfoundland and P.E.I. did not join the Confederation, the other delegates agreed to draft or write 72 Resolutions that would govern the future Dominion of Canada.

3)      The London Conference

Unlike the Americans who violently separated from the British Empire through a revolution, Canadian delegates from Canada West, Canada East, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick asked permission from Westminster and the Queen of England for approval to form a new country.  The 72 Resolutions or the rules of Canada were signed by Queen Victoria and they became the British North America Act.  Britain helped to finance the intercolonial railway, so we would not be an economic burden to them.

·         Who was not consulted in the formation of the Dominion of Canada?

*women

*First Nations

*those who did not own property

Page 25

1.      Confederation allowed the possibility of increased trade, protection, the inter- colonial railway, and independence from the British Empire.

2.      Minority groups were not consulted in the process of forming a new nation.  French Canadians could lose their culture and political representation through “rep-by-pop.”

3.      Because of the Charter of Rights, the people of Canada can challenge the provincial and federal government through the court system if their rights are threatened.

4.      Canadians had mixed feelings of Confederation.  It is impressive that all of these events coincided or happened at the same time and leaders were able to put aside their differences, but not all Canadians were consulted in the process of forming a nation.

Page 27

Federal Powers that cover all of Canada

1.      defensive or military matters

2.      banks and the creation of a nation’s currency

3.      international trade

4.      postal services i.e. the mail

5.      Foreign or international treaties and agreements

Provincial Powers or the Power of Each Province

1.      education

2.      property rights

3.      licenses i.e. businesses, professionals,  and vehicles

4.      hospitals and mental health institutions

5.      taxes to pay for provincial responsibilities i.e. schools

*It would be ridiculous if not inefficient for each province to have its own currency or postal stamps.  Likewise, because of the matter of language and religion, the provinces were given the responsibilities of health and education.

*Newfoundland refused to join Canada until 1949.

Unit 1 Test: Confederation

Date:__________________________________________________________

A.      You must be able to explain one of the following terms:                              15 / marks

Rupert’s Land________________________________________________________________

Manifest Destiny _____________________________________________________________

political deadlock _____________________________________________________________

the British North America Act ___________________________________________________

prospector_______________________________________________________

the Red River Settlement____________________________________________

the 4 options held by the colony of British Columbia_____________________________

the Hudson Bay Company__________________________________________________

the Metis ______________________________________________________________

the potential of Canada’s West_____________________________________________

the ethnic diversity of Canada’s regions______________________________________

exports and economics of each region____________________________________________

Canada East_____________________________________________________________

Canada West____________________________________________________________

the importance of Halifax __________________________________________________

regional differences ________________________________________________

the Atlantic colonies________________________________________________

the pros and cons of Confederation ___________________________________

the repeal of the Corn Laws ______________________________________

the end of the reciprocity ________________________________________

Manifest Destiny ________________________________________________

the four  early parties of Canada _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

the beliefs of each party ________________________________________

the disagreements of the parties __________________________________

the 72 Resolutions _________________________________________

the Charlottetown Conference_______________________________________

the Quebec Conference ____________________________________________

the unheard voices of Canada________________________________________

the economic challenges of early Canada _____________________________

the political challenges of early Canada  ______________________________

the geographic challenges of early Canada ____________________________

the Fenian Brotherhood ___________________________________________

the American Civil War ____________________________________________

the St. Albans Raid _______________________________________________

the Trent Incident ________________________________________________

B.      True and False  Questions                                                                  /10 marks

You will be tested on your knowledge on the following topics:

the gold rush in British Columbia, the importance of the Red River Settlement, industries in various parts of early-Canada, the importance of the Corn Laws and the end of the Reciprocity treaty with the United States, representation by population, the three conferences that led to Confederation, groups who were not consulted, the intercolonial railway and the pros and cons of Confederation.

C.      You should know which powers are provincial and which powers are federal.

D.     Choose one hypothetical and justifiable question and answer from a list of five.                                                                                                                                                    /10

For example:

Had British Columbia joined the United States, how would this have affected the Canada that we know today? Provide three possible outcomes and support your answer.