The Confederation of Canada

The Act Of Union 1840

1840

Upper and Lower Canada were combined into one province of Canada in 1840 by the Act of Union. It gave one legislative council the ability to rule with the consent of the monarch. According to the Act, there must be an equal number of delegates from each province in the assembly.

The Charlottetown Conference In 1864

1864

Representatives from British North American colonies gathered in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, for the Charlottetown Conference to discuss Canadian Confederation. Between September 1 and September 9, 1864, the meeting was held.

The Quebec Conference In 1864

"1864"

The Quebec Conference, the second of the three conferences, took place in the month immediately following the Charlottetown Conference. The lawmakers polished and reduced it to 72 resolutions during this meeting. The Confederation's foundation was created by this. The conference took place from October 10 until October 24, 1864. John A. MacDonald was in favour of a parliamentary union with a single central authority. More power over law, religion, and language was suggested by Lower Canada. In the end, it was agreed to establish a federal government with governors for each province.

Canadian/American Tension

1864

A troop of soldiers from the Southern states attacked the Northern states during the American Civil War before escaping into the BNA colonies. This was interpreted as a protest by the states in the north. A union would make the BNA colonies stronger since they were concerned that they might be attacked.

1864"

Threat of American Takeover

1865

1865

The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. The Northern states battled the Southern states, but ultimately the North prevailed. But Britain had supported the South. The British North American colonies were worried that America would attack them as revenge against Britain. Additionally, Americans held to the idea of Manifest Destiny, according to which they should control the entirety of North America. The BNA colonies were concerned about this because it offered the Americans another justification to invade them.

End of the Reciprocity Treaty 1865

1865"

The Reciprocity Treaty between the United States and the BNA colonies would be terminated, the Americans declared. According to the Treaty, some products would be able to cross borders without being subject to duties. The BNA colonies had no one else to trade with after this was over. They believed that a union would make trading between colonies easier.

London Conference In 1866

1866

In December 1866, the London meeting took place. Politicians from Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met in London with the British Government to negotiate and finalise the Confederation. The Confederation took occur the next year, hence this Conference was the penultimate one before it. Confederation could not continue without the British Government's approval, which the Canadian leaders had to request. The British passed a law allowing the several Canadian colonies to unite as a Confederation.

Fenian Invasion 1866

1866"

A party of Irish Americans known as the Fenians stormed Canada West on May 31, 1866. They want to overthrow the British colonies in order to establish "New Ireland" and free Ireland from British domination. But for the time being, they are repelled. The raids alarmed the populace, who believed the Confederation would strengthen defence.

. The London Conference/British North America Act

1866-7

To discuss a Confederation bill, representatives from the BNA colonies travel to London, England. They mix the best aspects of the American and British regime

The BNA Act is introduced in the British government. It is the revised version of the 72 Resolutions. July 1st is when it is to come into effect. The Act is now known as the Constitution Act 1867. The Act is the official creation of the Dominion of Canada.

Confederation July 1st, 1867

On July 1, 1867, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario formed a federation of colonies in British North America to form the Dominion of Canada. the politicians who helped the Confederation come to life. They are known as the Founding Fathers of Confederation

1867

bibliography

bibliography

https://www.leg.bc.ca/dyl/Pages/1867-Dominion-of-Canada-Created-July-1.aspx

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/confederation

https://www.historymuseum.ca/teachers-zone/stories-of-confederation/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Confederation