Immigration, Trade and Transportation: BNA at Mid-Century What social and economic forces were changing North America in the middle of the 19 th Century?

Immigration, Trade and Transportation: BNA at Mid-Century

• What social and economic forces were changing North America in the middle of the 19th Century?

• Of what effect was the end of mercantilism and the existence of reciprocal trade?

• What is a political deadlock, how did it happen and how was it broken?

Forces of Change…SocialEconomicTechnical

Context…Political Deadlock

BNA at Mid-Century

Forces of Change: Social

Immigration Population 1840- 2 million Population 1867- 4 million

Annexation 1849- high point in the movement Annexationists- English-speaking, merchants No support from Canadiens. Why?

To the People of Canada

The reversal of the ancient policy of Great Britain whereby she withdrew from the colonies…protection in her markets, has produced the most disastrous effects upon Canada. In surveying the actual condition of the country what but ruin or rapid decay meets the eye!...our country stands before the world in humiliating contrast with its immediate neighbours, exhibiting every symptom of a nation sinking to decay.

With super abundant water power and cheap labour, especially in Lower Canada, we have yet no domestic manufactures; …Our institutions, unhappily, have not that impress of permanence which alone can impart security and inspire confidence, and the Canadian market is too limited to inspire the foreign capitalist. While the adjoining States are covered with a network of thriving railways, Canada possesses but three lines, which together, scarcely exceed 50 miles in length… a fatal symptom of the torpor overspreading the land… of all remedies that have been suggested for the acknowledged and insufferable ills with which our country is afflicted, there remains but one to be considered…

…THIS REMEDY CONSISTS IN THE FRIENDLY AND PEACEFUL SEPARATION FROM BRITISH CONNECTION AND A UNION UPON EQUITABLE TERMS WITH THE GREAT NOTH AMERICAN CONFEDERACY OF SOVERIEGN STATES

Forces of Change: Social

Forces of Change: Economic End of Mercantilism “an economic system in which a

nation depends on its colonies to supply raw materials and markets for manufactured goods.”

Case in point: Canadian Corn Act (1843)- pg 73

Caused a depression throughout BNA

Timber in the Maritimes “Necessity is the mother of all

invention” NB, NS, Quebec turned to

shipbuilding- 700/year in 1860s Timber, grain, fish thanks to US

Civil War (1861-1865) and Crimean War (1854-1856)

Reciprocity “trade agreement based on mutual agreement” Goods pass freely without barriers (quotas, tariffs, duties) Access needed to make up for loss of British market 1840s- American government not in agreement, due to pressure from

Vermont & Massachusetts. 1849- Halifax Conference

Forces of Change: Economic

US InterestsFishing rights to Maritime inshore fisheries

Canadian InterestsNewfoundland: fishNova Scotia: coalNew Brunswick: timberCanada East/West: flour

Increased level of prosperity

Basis for negotiating common interests

Forces of Change: Technological

See railway maps page 78

Forces of Change: Technological

Power of railways Increased cargo of goods and people Steady speed (50kph) Weather not a (major) hindrance Connections enhanced to US markets Telegraph lines

News Ideas

Change to where people lived Some small rural communities declining due to manufacturers

taking over small suppliers Some mills closed as production done in cities New communities created along the expanding lines (especially into

Western Canada)

Forces of Change: Technological

Building of the Grand Truck Railway Welcome by those in industry and commerce. Why? Expensive and ambitious- bailed out by the United Canadas.

Why does government participate in infrastructure projects? Why does government “bail out” private projects? Modern Connection: P3s

Context: Political Deadlock

Responsible Government: Canadas (IV)Election 1844•Tories win a majority.•Metcalfe (GG) appoints Tories to Executive Council

Election 1848•Refomers win large majority.•Metcalfe has resigned, GG is now Elgin (Durham’s son in law), Secretary is now Grey (Durham’s brother in law).•Elgin calls upon Baldwin and LaFontaine to form Executive Council. They select from their Assembly.

Test #1•1849 Rebellion Losses Bill•Elgin did not favour passage; signs it.

Test #2•1859 tariffs (20%) on imported goods to raise money for public works.•British merchants upset, British government threatens to dissallow, but eventually backs down.

Context: Political Deadlock

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government. Why is a stable government desirable?

1. Equal distribution of seats between Canada West and Canada East. Recall: why was this done, and for whose benefit?

Canada East able to be dominating force. Case in point: 1851 Roman Catholic schools support

Challenge of the needed double majority.

2. Large number of political parties and independent members. Conservative Party, Bleus, Reformers, Liberal Party, Clear Grits, Parti Rouge. Representation by population.

Census 1851: Canada West (952, 000) Canada East (890, 000). How has this changed? Who would rep by pop benefit?

Loose fish. Non-confidence.

Context: Political Deadlock

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

5 successive coalition governments in 2 years.

Administrative standstill.

Economic, social and political ineffectiveness.

Context: Political Deadlock

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

Solution? The Great Coalition.

Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown

Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier

ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce

LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks

ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion

Context: Political Deadlock

Overarching problem: Lack of stable government.

Solution? The Great Coalition.

Clear GritsCanada WestGeorge Brown

Conservative PartyCanada West(John A Macdonald, Alan McNab)

BleusCanada EastGeroge-Etienne Cartier

ModerateExpansion of industry and commerce

LiberalsCanada WestFrancis Hinks

ReformersParti RougeCanada EastAntoine-Aime Dorion

Galt

See pg 84

Les Devoirs Read chapter 4 (pages 72-86)

Complete questions 1, 2, 8 and 9 on page 86

Complete your assigned question and post to wikispace before next class.

Page and Question

Students Page and Question

Students

Pg 75 #1 Philip, Andrew C Pg 79 #1 Raul, Vincent

Pg 75 #2 Thomas, Jerry Pg 79 #2 Marcus

Pg 75 #3 Max, Nicholas Pg 82 # 3 Josh

Pg 76 #1 Edmond, Adam Pg 82 #4 Andrew W, Jacky

Pg 77 #1 Benny, Jeffrey Pg 85 #1 Ruoni, Rocky

Pg 77 #2 Conor, Patrick Pg 85 #2Pg 85 #3

RayBrendan