History & Geography · Grade 7 · Confederation: Building a Nation · Term 2

Economic Pressures for Union

Explore the end of Reciprocity with the US and the need for new markets and an intercolonial railway.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Canada, 1850–1867: Distance, Diversity, and Demographics - Grade 7

About This Topic

The path to Confederation was paved through three key conferences: Charlottetown, Quebec, and London. This topic traces the intense negotiations where the 'Fathers of Confederation' hammered out the details of the new nation. Students will learn how a meeting intended to discuss a Maritime union in Charlottetown was 'crashed' by the Canadians and transformed into a larger vision for a federal union. They will then examine the 72 Resolutions drafted in Quebec, which formed the blueprint for the British North America Act.

The curriculum focuses on the art of compromise and the diverse interests of the different colonies. Students will see how the delegates balanced the need for a strong central government with the desire of provinces to maintain control over local matters. This topic is best taught through a simulation of the conferences where students represent different colonial interests.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how the termination of the Reciprocity Treaty impacted colonial economies.
2. Explain the economic benefits anticipated from an intercolonial railway.
3. Evaluate the extent to which economic factors drove the push for Confederation.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the economic consequences for the Province of Canada following the termination of the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States.
• Explain the projected economic advantages for British North American colonies from the construction of an intercolonial railway.
• Evaluate the significance of economic motivations in driving the movement towards Confederation.
• Compare the economic priorities of the Province of Canada and the Maritime colonies regarding trade and transportation.

Before You Start

Geography of British North America

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the locations and relationships between the colonies to grasp the significance of intercolonial trade and transportation.

Early Colonial Economies

Why: Prior knowledge of the types of industries and trade patterns in the colonies provides context for understanding the impact of the Reciprocity Treaty's end.

Key Vocabulary

Reciprocity Treaty	An 1854 agreement between the British North American colonies and the United States that allowed for free trade in certain natural resources. Its termination in 1866 significantly impacted colonial economies.
Intercolonial Railway	A proposed railway intended to connect the various British North American colonies, facilitating trade and communication between them. Its construction was seen as a key economic benefit of union.
Mercantilism	An economic policy where colonies exist to enrich the mother country. While declining, its legacy influenced colonial trade relationships and the desire for new markets.
Protectionism	An economic policy of protecting domestic industries by restricting imports, often through tariffs. The end of reciprocity led some in Canada to favor protectionist measures.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Confederation was a simple, easy process.

What to Teach Instead

It involved years of difficult negotiations and many people were strongly opposed to it. A 'roadblocks' timeline can help students see the many times the project almost failed.

Common Misconception

The London Conference was just a formality.

What to Teach Instead

While the main work was done, the delegates still had to finalize the legal language with the British government and ensure the act would pass in the British Parliament. Role-playing the final 'sign-off' can highlight this final step.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Quebec Conference

Students are assigned to represent Canada West, Canada East, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or PEI. They must debate key issues like the division of powers and the number of seats in the Senate to create their own 'Resolutions.'

60 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: The 72 Resolutions

Stations feature different resolutions from the Quebec Conference. Students rotate to identify which resolutions were 'wins' for the federal government and which were 'wins' for the provinces.

40 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: The Charlottetown 'Crashers'

Students discuss why the delegates from the Province of Canada were so eager to join the Charlottetown meeting. They share what 'carrots' (incentives) the Canadians might have offered the Maritimers.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Trade negotiators today still grapple with similar issues of tariffs and market access when establishing new trade agreements, much like the colonists did when seeking new markets after the Reciprocity Treaty ended.
• The development of large-scale infrastructure projects, such as high-speed rail networks in Europe or new pipelines in Canada, often involves complex economic justifications and debates about connecting regions, similar to the arguments for the intercolonial railway.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a short primary source excerpt detailing a merchant's concerns after the Reciprocity Treaty's end. Ask them to identify two specific economic challenges mentioned and explain how they might push for union.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Imagine you are a business owner in the Province of Canada in 1866. How would the end of free trade with the U.S. and the prospect of an intercolonial railway influence your decision about supporting Confederation?'

Exit Ticket

Students write a two-sentence summary explaining the primary economic reason why the Province of Canada wanted an intercolonial railway and one economic reason why the Maritime colonies might have been hesitant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at the Charlottetown Conference?

Originally intended to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies, the conference was joined by delegates from the Province of Canada. They successfully convinced the Maritimers to consider a larger union of all British North American colonies.

What were the 72 Resolutions?

The 72 Resolutions were the detailed plan for Confederation agreed upon at the Quebec Conference in 1864. They outlined how the new government would work, including the division of powers between federal and provincial levels.

Why did the delegates have to go to London?

Since the colonies were still part of the British Empire, the plan for Confederation had to be approved by the British Parliament. The London Conference was where the final version of the British North America Act was drafted.

How can active learning help students understand the Confederation conferences?

Simulating the conferences allows students to experience the 'give and take' of political negotiation. By representing specific colonies, students understand why certain compromises were necessary and how the unique needs of different regions shaped the final structure of Canada.