Confederation of 1867: A Critical Analysis of the Debates

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the Confederation of 1867, examining the key arguments both for and against the union of British North American colonies. It begins by outlining the context of the Confederation, including the political and economic challenges faced by the colonies, such as the fear of American expansion, military concerns, and the need for economic opportunities. The essay then details the arguments in favor of Confederation, highlighting the benefits of a unified government, free trade, and enhanced military strength. It explores the opposition to Confederation, discussing the concerns of the Irish Catholic community, merchants, and other groups who feared the loss of autonomy or economic hardship. The essay incorporates historical evidence and perspectives from various sources, including the Fathers of Confederation and contemporary debates. Finally, the essay offers a personal opinion, arguing that the union was ultimately beneficial for the colonies, despite the initial resistance, and concluding with a discussion of the Confederation's lasting impact on Canada. The essay utilizes a clear thesis, strong supporting evidence, correct essay form, and a bibliography adhering to the Chicago Manual of Style.

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Confederation
Student’s Name
Course
Date

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Confederation
The Confederation is the federal union process where the British North American
colonies joined to form a new nation known as the Dominion of Canada1. Therefore, before the
Confederation, the Newfoundland, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the wide
territories of Rupert’s Land as well as the North-Western Territory2. The Fathers of
Confederation met in 1864 at the conferences in Quebec City, Charlottetown, and London
England to discuss the terms of Confederation3. However, the idea of the formation of the
Confederation was met with opposition. Both the opponent and proponent of the union had a
valid point based on their points of view. The only solution for the problems facing the British
colonies was to form one nation; however, the opponent of the union believed that there is no
financial or economic benefit of the Confederation while the Irish Catholic group feared to make
the same mistake their descendant had made earlier.
Support for Confederation
British colonies in 1860 faced a different problem with lead to the need for the union of
all colonies to form one nation. The colonies were having a military problem; hence, the
inspiration of the Confederation resulted from the fear of the domination of the USA as well as
the possible British North America annexation. The victory of the USA at the Civil war
increased the fear since it came at a time where Britain was reluctant to defend as well as support
North American colonies from possible aggression4. The Civil War violence was due to the
1 P.B. Waite, “Confederation,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 22, 2013. Retrieved from
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/confederation
2 Donald Peters, “1867 and After”
3 Daniel Heidt, “Ontario: The Centre of Confederation,” in Reconsidering Confederation:
Canada’s Founding Debates, 1864-1999 (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2018), Chapter
3, pages 53-73.
4 J.M.S. Careless, Brown of the Globe: Statesman of Confederation, 1860-1880, volume 2
(Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1989), Chapter 4 “Initiator of Union.”

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outcome of a weak central USA government hence inspiring the needs of a central government
of the British North American colonies. Besides, American North had a strong and powerful
army after the war with a need to revenge the collaboration of eh Britain with the American
South5. In addition, many of the politicians in the USA were for annexing of Rupert’s land.
The British North Colonies had economic issues. Therefore, for the economy of these
colonies to do well, they have an urgent need to sell to other markets6. At that point in time, the
colonies had relatively few places they could sell their products to since the American North had
anger against the British hence leading to the cancellation of the reciprocity treaty which had
enabled free trade in most of the items between the British North America and US7. When all
hope was lost, the Confederation brought a chance for the colonies to develop free trade markets
on the northern part of the American border.
Debate against Confederation
The publication of the Confederation resolution was met with the stringent debate against
the union. The Irish and most of the merchant shows serious hostility towards the concept of the
confederation. The opponents from the Roman catholic Community believed that many of the
problems that Ireland was facing were derive from their union with England thus could not stand
making the same mistakes8. Besides, most of the people in Newfoundland were of Irish descent
and had managed to develop state-funded schools, home rule, as well as gain a fair share of the
5 Jean Charles Bonenfant, The French Canadians, and the Birth of Confederation, The Canadian
Historical Association Booklet No. 21, Ottawa, 1996.
6 P.B. Waite, “Confederation,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 22, 2013. Retrieved from
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/confederation
7 P.B. Waite and Ged Martin, eds., Confederation Debates in the Province of Canada, 1865
(Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2006)
8 J.K. Hiller, “The Debate: Confederation Rejected, 1864-1869,” retrieved from
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/confederation-rejected-1864-1869.php

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patronage in government9. They could not stand losing this by uniting with Upper Canada that
was observed as land for militant anti-Catholicism. To them, the union meant ruins for
Newfoundland. Similar sentiments were shared by the people of Nova Scotia who believed that
joining Canada was detrimental to the colony10. Joseph Howe believed that Nova Scotia had
more than it needed to survive on its own since it had industries such as farming, shipbuilding,
and railways.
The merchants, on the other hand, did not see any economic importance of the proposed
union. Based on their point of view, the Merchants predicted an increase in the level of taxations
which could be imposed for mainland purposes11. As a result, it could increase the cost of
business. In addition, the Merchants believed that the federal tariff was mainly designed to
restrict their ability to do business freely since it protected the mainland industries. The
businesses, as well as the economy at Newfoundland, could be harmed if the colony joined the
Confederation12. Furthermore, there lacked evidence that joining the confederation would have
any advantage to the colony since it was part of a North Atlantic world.
Personal Opinion
Despite the debates against the Confederation, it is imperative to note that the future of
the colonies was bound with the mainland colonies since Britain had lost all interest in
Newfoundland as an independent colony. Besides, all the fuss about various colonies being able
9 Phillip A. Buckner, “The 1860s: An End and a Beginning,” in The Atlantic Region to
Confederation (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1995) Chapter 16, pages 360-86.
10 J. Murray Beck, Joseph Howe Anti-Confederate, The Canadian Historical Association Booklet
No. 17, Ottawa, 1968. https://cha-shc.ca/_uploads/5c38a9639dfdd.pdf
11 J. Murray Beck, Joseph Howe Anti-Confederate, The Canadian Historical Association Booklet
No. 17, Ottawa, 1968. https://cha-shc.ca/_uploads/5c38a9639dfdd.pdf
12 J.K. Hiller, “The Debate: Confederation Rejected, 1864-1869,” retrieved from
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/confederation-rejected-1864-1869.php

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to stand and support themselves was based on nothing but talks without facts to support them.
For the Irish descendants who feared the union because of the past Ireland coalition with
England, was based on history which might or might not repeat itself. For the sake of the
merchant who believes that joining the confederate will be detrimental to their business because
of increased taxes and business tariffs, their fears were based and driven by selfish gains. In
simple terms, the fight against the confederation was majorly controlled by the fear of the
unknown, historical facts, and selfishness. However, it is my belief that the union of the British
North American Colonies was for the greater good of the colonies and could help boost their
survival. Besides, joining forces would lead to lower taxation, improved economy as well as
enhanced public services. All the colonies will have a closer link to the mainland with enhance
communication along with better investments. Therefore, colonies such as Newfoundland would
not be isolated, but part of a new nation full of exciting promises.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Confederation was inevitable if British North America colonies were
to survive the economic crisis, the political issues, Britain support withdrawal and the fear of
aggression as well as expansion from the USA. Given all other reason, the idea of Britain
refraining from maintaining all the expenses that came with defending the colonies increased the
push for the union. Even though there were some prominent individuals who were against the
union, the Confederation or union of the colonies were able to ease the burden from Britain
while increasing the economic stability as well as military strength through unity.

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Bibliography
Daniel Heidt, “Ontario: The Centre of Confederation,” in Reconsidering Confederation:
Canada’s Founding Debates, 1864-1999 (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2018),
Chapter 3, pages 53-73.
Donald Peters, “1867 and After”

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J. Murray Beck, Joseph Howe Anti-Confederate, The Canadian Historical Association Booklet
No. 17, Ottawa, 1968. https://cha-shc.ca/_uploads/5c38a9639dfdd.pdf
J.K. Hiller, “The Debate: Confederation Rejected, 1864-1869,” retrieved from
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/confederation-rejected-1864-1869.php
J.M.S. Careless, Brown of the Globe: Statesman of Confederation, 1860-1880, volume 2
(Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1989), Chapter 4 “Initiator of Union.”
Jean Charles Bonenfant, The French Canadians, and the Birth of Confederation, The Canadian
Historical Association Booklet No. 21, Ottawa, 1996.
P.B. Waite and Ged Martin, eds., Confederation Debates in the Province of Canada, 1865
(Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2006)
P.B. Waite, “Confederation,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 22, 2013. Retrieved from
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/confederation
Phillip A. Buckner, “The 1860s: An End and a Beginning,” in The Atlantic Region to
Confederation (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1995) Chapter 16, pages 360-86.