In the 1860's, three Canadian men saw the fault in the Province of Canada's government. Those men were John A. MacDonald (a western Canadian), George-Étienne Cartier (an eastern Canadian), and George Brown (a western Canadian). These three men were members of the assembly, who all rivalled against one another. However, due to the state of Canada under the "Act of Union," these men joined together in order to form "The Great Coalition," and Canada's journey to confederation began.
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Confederation for many was the safest option for Canada. The United States threatened Canadian land for years, and with the American Civil War, the threat amplified in the citizens of Canada's minds. Britain and America's relationships remained tense, and Britain's actions during this war caused even more strains. As America longed to expand, and due to the poor relationship and bountiful conflict that arose within North America, expansionists recommended the annexation of British North America.
In addition to that, Irishmen called "Fenians" often attempted to raid the British North American colonies. The Fenians hoped that they would receive an opportunity to invade Canada and bribe the rights of Ireland back from the British. This caused even more conflict on Canadian land, and while only some people were killed as a result, the raids still struck fear.
In addition to that, Irishmen called "Fenians" often attempted to raid the British North American colonies. The Fenians hoped that they would receive an opportunity to invade Canada and bribe the rights of Ireland back from the British. This caused even more conflict on Canadian land, and while only some people were killed as a result, the raids still struck fear.
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The violence and threats that Canada endured was one reason that Sir. John A. MacDonald, George-Étienne Cartier, and George Brown convinced the British North American colonies to form a union. Some were hesitant to agree. In fact, most of the areas with smaller populations were opposed to the idea of one large colony. The difficulty for small colonies was that in the new government, they would be utterly underrepresented. The maritimes attempted to create their own union. In 1864, they held the Charlottetown Conference to discuss it, and Macdonald and Cartier were allowed to speak.
At the conference, Macdonald discussed the reasons for a union: Firstly, the constant threat of invasion, where not just one colony could survive without the help of the others could be diminished if they fight was against one nation, rather than many small colonies. Secondly, the debts created by individual colonies would then be distributed over the entire government, everyone's burden rather than a select few. At the time, several Maritime colonies were investing in railway systems for trade and transportation. This caused the colonies to enter serious debt, to the point where they had to consider the union as a viable option, if only to ensure their future. Some colonies were interested and delighted by the possibility of trading among the continent, as opposed to relying on other nations who had perviously caused issues with British North America's economy. In the end, the Maritime Union was left behind, and the confederation blossomed.
At the conference, Macdonald discussed the reasons for a union: Firstly, the constant threat of invasion, where not just one colony could survive without the help of the others could be diminished if they fight was against one nation, rather than many small colonies. Secondly, the debts created by individual colonies would then be distributed over the entire government, everyone's burden rather than a select few. At the time, several Maritime colonies were investing in railway systems for trade and transportation. This caused the colonies to enter serious debt, to the point where they had to consider the union as a viable option, if only to ensure their future. Some colonies were interested and delighted by the possibility of trading among the continent, as opposed to relying on other nations who had perviously caused issues with British North America's economy. In the end, the Maritime Union was left behind, and the confederation blossomed.
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Thirty three delegates of Canada attended a conference in Quebec that same year. They discussed the union, argued, brainstormed, and created the British North America Act, including the forms of government and their division of power. They created a government still connected to the British empire, but ultimately independent as well. The British government supported the union of the British North American colonies, as they were eager to rid themselves of the burden that they had become. Britain could not possibly maintain a better relationship between the United States as well as the colonies relationships with America as well. They also did not appreciate having their taxpayers providing financial support for those separate colonies. Despite this, the BNA Act was not put into action until 1867. This is mainly because the different delegates who attended the Quebec Conference still had to convince the other members of government that union was the best option. Some of the concerns dealt with the loss of identity, mainly from the French community, and the lack of representation for colonies that weren't Western Canada. Due to their large population, there would be a larger amount of their representatives in the government.
However, on March 29, 1867, the British North America Act was signed by Queen Victoria. The new Dominion of Canada came into position on July 1 of the same year. This act began the country that we have today. In the act, the federal and provincial governments were outlined. The nation still had to approve laws by a representative of the monarch, but the matters were first discussed in the established House of Commons and Senate. The first provinces of Canada, officially stated in the initial BNA Act, were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
However, on March 29, 1867, the British North America Act was signed by Queen Victoria. The new Dominion of Canada came into position on July 1 of the same year. This act began the country that we have today. In the act, the federal and provincial governments were outlined. The nation still had to approve laws by a representative of the monarch, but the matters were first discussed in the established House of Commons and Senate. The first provinces of Canada, officially stated in the initial BNA Act, were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
There were many problems with the initial British North America Act. For one, the First Nations people were treated as a responsibility by the British and Canadian governments. They were handed over from one to the other, and there rights were not outlined at all. Additionally, they way that the BNA Act was written made it extremely prone to different interpretations. The only way that those arguments could be resolved was by appealing to the British government. This was an added step, and also relied greatly still on Britain and its rulings. Another issue with the BNA Act was that divisions of responsibilities for the federal and provincial branches were a bit confusing. For example, one provincial government might have had power over the forestry, but the federal government would be in charge of the rivers. It was not necessarily the most efficient way to divide powers, but since then, amendments have been made, and the act, now known as the Constitutional Act of 1867, is far more specific.
Despite those problems, the British North America Act, and the process that it took to become reality, is so important to Canadian history. It was the document that made confederation of Canada real. It outlined the foundation of what our nation was, and still is in many ways. It created our government, and while things have been changed, most has stayed the same. The people who created the BNA Act are pivotal figures to our history, who we still idolize to this day. John A. MacDonald went on to be Canada's first Prime Minister, and without him and the other Fathers of Confederation, Canada might never have become its own country. Thanks to the union of those four British colonies, Canada's identity and diversity grew, and has never stopped growing. The idea that dozens of our past representatives gathered together to discuss their future, and the potential to become one country is amazing. All of those people had faith that the Dominion of Canada could succeed and benefit the lives of the people living there. The confederation gave the people who lived in British North America a true title: Canadians.
Despite those problems, the British North America Act, and the process that it took to become reality, is so important to Canadian history. It was the document that made confederation of Canada real. It outlined the foundation of what our nation was, and still is in many ways. It created our government, and while things have been changed, most has stayed the same. The people who created the BNA Act are pivotal figures to our history, who we still idolize to this day. John A. MacDonald went on to be Canada's first Prime Minister, and without him and the other Fathers of Confederation, Canada might never have become its own country. Thanks to the union of those four British colonies, Canada's identity and diversity grew, and has never stopped growing. The idea that dozens of our past representatives gathered together to discuss their future, and the potential to become one country is amazing. All of those people had faith that the Dominion of Canada could succeed and benefit the lives of the people living there. The confederation gave the people who lived in British North America a true title: Canadians.