Uniting Colonies for Confederation

Union of British Colonies

From 1858 – 1862 John A Macdonald and Etienne Cartier served as co-premiers of Canada

Despite their partnership, political deadlock still stalled the Canadian government

To break the deadlock, their rival George Brown, joined their cause in creating a united Canada, independent from Britain.

Single goal of Canada’s politicians was “the creation of a union of all the British North American colonies”

A Maritime Union?

Politicians from Canada East & West thought that the Maritime Colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland would be a natural fit within the confederacy

But Atlantic colonists didn’t all agree, they were concerned their small populations they wouldn’t have much influence on a central Canadian Government.

They were also distant and isolated from the Canadas. (Quicker & easier to get to England than Ottawa)

1800s Hotties UnitedCanada’s movers and shakers meet up in Charlottetown September 1864

Charlottetown Conference

Charlottetown Conference: initially planned by the maritime colonies to discuss a union between themselves, but that wily politician, John A MacDonald decided to drop in on the party with some of his pro-confederation buddies

Never one to turn down a drink, John A saw the Charlottetown Conference as an opportunity to sell the Maritimes on the benefits of joining a ‘united Canada’ while also taking advantage of some Maritime hospitality.