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

The Quebec Conference (1864) and 72 Resolutions

Examine the detailed discussions and the creation of the 72 Resolutions, outlining the structure of the proposed new nation.

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

About This Topic

The Quebec Conference of 1864 gathered 33 delegates from the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island over two weeks. They produced the 72 Resolutions, a detailed blueprint for Confederation that outlined a federal system. Central features included a bicameral parliament with representation by population in the lower house and equal provincial seats in the upper house, alongside divisions of power between federal authority over trade, defense, and currency, and provincial control of education, municipalities, and property.

This content aligns with Ontario Grade 7 history expectations for Canada, 1850-1867, focusing on distance, diversity, and demographics. Students analyze compromises like the 'double majority' abandoned for Quebec, regional economic ties through intercolonial railway promises, and unresolved tensions such as Prince Edward Island's land question. They differentiate federal powers, which prioritized unity, from provincial ones preserving local autonomy, and critique gaps in addressing all colonies' concerns, such as Maritime fears of central dominance.

Active learning suits this topic perfectly. Role-plays of delegate negotiations let students experience compromises directly. Collaborative sorts of power divisions make abstract structures concrete. Group critiques of resolutions build skills in evidence-based analysis, turning historical debates into engaging, relevant discussions.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the main points and compromises embedded within the 72 Resolutions.
2. Differentiate between the proposed federal and provincial powers.
3. Critique the extent to which the resolutions addressed the concerns of all colonies.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary components and compromises within the 72 Resolutions of the Quebec Conference.
• Compare and contrast the division of powers proposed between the federal government and provincial governments.
• Evaluate the extent to which the 72 Resolutions addressed the diverse concerns of the colonies present at the Quebec Conference.
• Explain the significance of the 72 Resolutions as a foundational document for Canadian Confederation.

Before You Start

Geography of British North America (Grade 7)

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the different colonies and their locations to grasp the geographical challenges and motivations for union.

Forms of Government (Grade 6)

Why: Prior knowledge of basic government structures, like monarchy or republic, helps students understand the concept of a federal system.

Key Vocabulary

Quebec Conference	A meeting held in 1864 where delegates from British North American colonies discussed and drafted the 72 Resolutions, a plan for Confederation.
72 Resolutions	A document outlining the proposed structure and powers of a new federal government for Canada, agreed upon at the Quebec Conference.
Federal System	A form of government where power is divided between a central national government and regional provincial governments.
Bicameral Parliament	A legislature with two separate chambers or houses, typically an upper house and a lower house.
Representation by Population	A system where the number of elected representatives a region sends to a legislature is based on its population size.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Quebec Conference created Confederation immediately.

What to Teach Instead

The 72 Resolutions were a proposal needing ratification; Charlottetown set the stage, and the London Conference finalized the British North America Act in 1867. Role-play simulations help students sequence events and see the multi-step process through negotiation timelines.

Common Misconception

All colonies had equal influence in the resolutions.

What to Teach Instead

Larger provinces like Canada dominated discussions, leading to compromises favoring rep by pop over equality. Debates in role-plays reveal power imbalances as students advocate from minority positions and track vote outcomes.

Common Misconception

The resolutions gave unlimited power to the federal government.

What to Teach Instead

Powers were explicitly divided, with provinces retaining key local authorities. Sorting activities clarify boundaries, as students categorize and debate ambiguous items, building nuanced understanding of federalism.

Active Learning Ideas

Role-Play: Negotiating Resolutions

Assign students roles as delegates from specific provinces with position cards on key issues like representation and railways. Hold a 20-minute debate on three resolutions, then vote and record compromises. Debrief with reflections on challenges faced.

50 min·Small Groups

Jigsaw: Sections of the 72 Resolutions

Divide resolutions into four sections; small groups become experts using primary excerpts. Regroup to teach peers, then create a class chart of federal versus provincial powers. End with a quiz on main points.

45 min·Small Groups

Power Sort: Federal or Provincial?

Provide cards listing 20 government powers from the resolutions. In pairs, students sort into federal or provincial categories, justify choices, and discuss edge cases like agriculture. Share with class for consensus.

30 min·Pairs

Critique Gallery Walk

Groups create posters critiquing one resolution's strengths and weaknesses for colonies. Students rotate, adding sticky notes with evidence-based comments. Conclude with whole-class vote on most effective compromise.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Historians and archivists at Library and Archives Canada analyze foundational documents like the 72 Resolutions to understand the historical context and intentions behind Canada's formation.
• Constitutional lawyers today interpret and apply principles established in documents like the 72 Resolutions when debating federal provincial jurisdiction over issues such as resource management or healthcare funding.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with a list of powers (e.g., defense, education, trade, municipalities). Ask them to categorize each power as either federal or provincial according to the 72 Resolutions, explaining their reasoning for two examples.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Which colonial group do you think felt best represented by the 72 Resolutions, and which felt least represented? Use specific resolutions to support your answer.' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their perspectives.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down one key compromise made at the Quebec Conference and one unresolved issue that might have caused future problems for Confederation. They should briefly explain the importance of each.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main compromises in the 72 Resolutions?

Key compromises balanced unity and regional interests: representation by population in the House of Commons satisfied Canada, while equal Senate seats appeased smaller Maritimes; federal control of trade and defense promoted economic links, but provinces kept education and property rights. The intercolonial railway addressed transport concerns. These fostered agreement but left gaps, like land issues for Prince Edward Island. Students benefit from charting these to see trade-offs clearly. (72 words)

How did the 72 Resolutions divide federal and provincial powers?

Federal powers covered national matters: defense, trade, currency, criminal law, and interprovincial works like railways. Provincial powers included education, property, civil rights, and municipalities. This division aimed for strong central unity amid diversity. Activities like card sorts help students internalize distinctions and apply them to modern Canada, reinforcing federalism concepts. (68 words)

How can active learning help students understand the Quebec Conference?

Active strategies like role-playing delegates make abstract negotiations tangible; students argue positions, forge compromises, and feel regional tensions firsthand. Jigsaws on resolution sections promote expertise sharing and synthesis. Gallery walks encourage peer critique with evidence, deepening analysis of colonial concerns. These methods boost retention, critical thinking, and engagement over lectures, aligning with inquiry-based history teaching. (74 words)

Did the 72 Resolutions address concerns of all colonies equally?

No, while compromises like Senate equality aided Maritimes and federal powers unified economies, Canada gained more through population-based representation. Prince Edward Island rejected over land fears, Newfoundland hesitated on costs. Critiques reveal uneven attention to diversity and distance. Student debates highlight these flaws, connecting past decisions to Canada's evolving federation. (67 words)