Road to Confederation

Mercantilism (mercantile trade system) means perfered. Mercantilism is the old trade system used during the colonial era. Basicaly all it means is that a colonial power like Britain give "perferencial" treatment to its own colonies like British North America. Mercantilism was good for the 5 British colonies because they always had a secure market to sell their raw materials. It was also good for Britian because they always had a secure supply of raw materials which they controlled

Even after the Rebellion of 1837, the reform movement was still strong. The leader of the French reformers LaFontaine and the leader of the English reformers Baldwin still believed the the colonies can still fight for unitement of the colonies even after the rebellion.

1. Stay with Britain - Britain was still the Maga-Power still at this time and staying with Britain would be smart but not entirely, becuase since Britain ended "Mercantilisim" if Canada were to trade with Britain they would be losing money instead of gaining.
2. Join the U.S. - To Join the U.S. would be the best economic solution to Canada, because the U.S. in Dyer need of supplies and Canada is in need of someone to trade there goods too, also it would be cheaper to trade amoung themselves if they joined together.
3. Unite Colonies - Uniting the colonies into one (Canada) would show Britain that the new formed country wouldnt need there help in trade and also show self-independences towards the colonies and Britain.

English immigration to Canada West increased the English speaking population by 300,000 more than the French speaking Canada East.

Upper and Lower Canada were united into Canada West (Ontario) and Canada East (Quebec)

Political deadlock is when a government can't decide on a law to pass because the political parites have an even amount of votes. On June 14, 1864 MacDonald's government was defeated by 2 votes and couldn't get any bills passed. All political parties were evenly divided and no party had enough votes to win any decision.

This was the first real test of Responsible Government. This bill would pay damages to innocent French Canadians who lost property during the Rebellion of 1837. The rich hated this law and demanded that Lord Elgin not sign the Bill, but Baldwin & Lafontaine, the leaders of the reformers, said he must sign to have Responsible Government.

1. The British Colonies were worried that the Northern Americans would turn their armies toward Canada and taking them over. (Manifest Destiny). The fear of an American takeover helped draw the colonies together.
2. Fenians (Irish descent soldiers) trying to take over the British colonies to get back Ireland from the British. They attacked Canada along the borders. John A. Macdonald asserted that a United country could defend against the fenian raids.
3. For free trade because the U.S. was wanting to end the Reciprocity Treaty.
4. Building a railway would allow them to trade easier (from Ontario to Halifax. If the colonies united, the expenses of building the Grand Trunk railway could be shared.
5. The Little Englanders from England believed the British North Colonies should be independent because they were a burden because of the defenses cost too much.
6. Political deadlock- in Canada all parties had the same number of votes toward making new laws and the future of Canada. If no one could make up their minds they couldn't make decisions. George Brown, leader of Grits, suggests a coalition government which is the joining of the political parties into one government to settle the problems of deadlock in Canada.

With insificent amount of trucks connecting from Onterio (Canada West) to Halifax there was no way of trading amoung each other. In 1850 3570km of track (Grand Trunk Railway) was added to the colonies.

This was an important trade deal negotiated beween the British Colonies (Canada) and the United States. This treaty allowed the British Colonies to sell goods in the U.S. market without taxes or tariffs. In return the U.S. was allowed fishing rights off Nova Scotia. This was a good deal for Canada and gave economic stability. It was a 10 year agreement. When the U.S. said they were going to end the treaty, the colonies decided they needed free trade among themselves. They could trade easier by uniting themsevles.