Issues Facing the Colonies of BNA
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Transcript of Issues Facing the Colonies of BNA
Issues Facing the Colonies of BNA
United they Stand Divided they …
Uniting the Colonies?1. Economic2. Transportation3. Defence4. Political
Transportation Canals, Lakes, Rivers, and Railways
were used to transport goods to major ports. › then they could be shipped to Britain or
USA Large gaps existed in railway system
which prevented Intercolonial trade. Grand Trunk Railway
› If railways were extended from NS to Toronto then fish could get to markets
Manufactured goods to Nova Scotia
Passenger traffic would improve as well.
Large sums of $$ needed.
Railways Banks in England
would only lend money if colonies were united
They feel this is the safest way to get repayment on loans.
Colonies want to improve intercolonial trade BUT need money to complete railway
Banks want to secure their loans
Colonies joining together seemed like a requirement for completing the Intercolonial Railway
Defence Issues BNA had defended itself in 1812 war
against USA However by the 1850s Britain began to
pull its troops out of the colonies› $$$$$$$$$› They were also at war with Russia in the
Crimean. Too many colonies to have a coherent
defence strategy› SINGLE COUNTRY = better defence
Thin Red Line
The Fenians Fenians were an Irish organization that
used arms to try and gain independence from Britain
During Great Migration 2 million Irish came to North America.
Organized in Northern United States and supported by some USA politicians
Some small raids but overall, not real threat (Pigeon Hill) Assassination of Darcy McGee
US Civil War (1861-1865) North (Union) V. South (Confederates) 1861- British Warship stopped by Union
warship and two confederates found on board.
Confederacy officials used Montreal, Toronto as bases to organize plots against the Union.
Clear by 1864 Union armies were going to win.
Civil War Con’t Would the US want to settle score with
BNA? What to do with a standing army of 65
000 men (battled hardened) Manifest Destiny: The Belief that the
USA had a DUTY to take over the land of North America› This includes Mexico as well
Political Issues Affecting the Canadas
When the Canadas had been untied they were each given the same number of seats.
Equal Representation
Colony 1851 Census
1861 Census
Seats in Legislature
Canada East 890 261 1 111 566 65
Canada West 952 004 1 396 091 65
Political Issues Representation by Population
Colony 1851 Census 1861 Census Seats in Legislature
Canada East 890 261 1 111 566 65
Canada West 952 004 1 396 091 81
Three Important Politicians George Brown (Canada West) J. A. Macdonald (Canada West) George-Etienne Cartier (Canada East)
George Brown Leading supporter
of REP by Pop Owned the Globe, a
leading Toronto Newspaper
Entered Politics in 1851
Great Speaker
George – Etienne Cartier Lawyer from Montreal
who entered politics in 1848
Opposed REP By POP Did not get along with
George Brown Basic argument was
that French peoples were already a Minority.
Feared English society would pass laws harmful to French Society
John A. MacD
onald
Lawyer from Kingston › Had reputation for fairness and political Skill› Entered politics 1844.
Realized that Cartier wanted protection for French Canadians rights, language, customs.
Therefore, he saw that both Brown and Cartier could get what they wanted.
The Debate today? What is Proportional Representation?
P47
Who was left out Women
› Although some of their ideas might have been brought up through their husbands
First Nations› Not British subjects› No ownership of land