The Dominion of Canada was not formed in one day, but during a series of Conferences. Three Conferences took place between 1864 - 1867 (nearly three years!). The purpose of the Conferences were to discuss the union of British North America's colonies to make an independent country.
Read about the Conferences below, and visit the links for each one.
Delegates at the Charlottetown Conference. Source: Wikimedia Commons
In September 1864, leaders from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island planned to meet to discuss forming a Maritime Union. The politicians from the Province of Canada (what became Quebec and Ontario) asked if they could attend the Charlottetown Conference. The leaders from the Province of Canada convinced the leaders of the Maritime Provinces to form a larger union.
Click Here to explore the Charlottetown Conference
Delegates at the Quebec Conference. Source: Library and Archives Canada/Jules. I Livernois/ C006350
At the Quebec Conference, the leaders figured out how the new country would be run. The decisions that were made were called the Quebec Resolutions. Although the leaders from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland attended the Quebec Conference, they decided not to join Confederation.
Newspaper from May 22, 1867. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The London Conference took place in London, England. Leaders from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Provinces of Canada took the rough draft of the Quebec Resolutions and created the British North America Act. British Parliament approved the Act on March 29, 1867, so Confederation could take place.
The Dominion of Canada was not formed in one day, but during a series of Conferences. Three Conferences took place between 1864 - 1867 (nearly three years!). The purpose of the Conferences were to discuss the union of British North America's colonies to make an independent country.
Read about the Conferences below, and visit the links for each one.
Delegates at the Charlottetown Conference. Source: Wikimedia Commons
In September 1864, leaders from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island planned to meet to discuss forming a Maritime Union. The politicians from the Province of Canada (what became Quebec and Ontario) asked if they could attend the Charlottetown Conference. The leaders from the Province of Canada convinced the leaders of the Maritime Provinces to form a larger union.
Click Here to explore the Charlottetown Conference
At the Quebec Conference, the leaders figured out how the new country would be run. The decisions that were made were called the Quebec Resolutions. Although the leaders from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland attended the Quebec Conference, they decided not to join Confederation.
Click Here to explore the Quebec Conference.The London Conference took place in London, England. Leaders from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Provinces of Canada took the rough draft of the Quebec Resolutions and created the British North America Act. British Parliament approved the Act on March 29, 1867, so Confederation could take place.
Click Here to explore the London Conference.
Questions
With your partner(s), answer the following questions in your booklet.
2. What was the name of modern day Canada before Confederation? What was the name of modern day Canada after Confederation?
3. The newspaper clipping comes from London, England. Explain the extent of influence that Great Britain had on Canada's Confederation.
4. Evaluate whether or not the newspaper clipping is a primary source or a secondary source. Tell me why you have come to this decision.