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Confederation

Confederation. 1863-1873. The Island Mentality. The Island in the 1860’s was self-sustaining and very self-confident. We were independent, our population was growing, shipbuilding was booming; things were good.

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Confederation

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  1. Confederation 1863-1873

  2. The Island Mentality • The Island in the 1860’s was self-sustaining and very self-confident. • We were independent, our population was growing, shipbuilding was booming; things were good. • The granting of responsible government would allow the Island to run its own affairs. Island politicians would often refer to the Island as “our country”. • The Island was one of the only colonies operating with a surplus budget during these times.

  3. Maritime Union • The idea of uniting the 3 Maritime provinces was being discussed in the 1850’s. • P.E.I refused to discuss the idea unless the meetings were held in Charlottetown and the capital of the union was Charlottetown. • Islanders were more in favor of a federal union where there was a central government but with some power left in local areas. Most Maritimers wanted a legislative union where all the power would lie in the central government.

  4. Charlottetown 1864 • In September of 1864 Prince Edward Island hosted a conference that included Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. • The Canadians invited themselves to the conference with no intention of discussing Maritime Union but a National Federal Union instead. • The Canadians had been touring the Maritimes speaking on Federal Union they hoped the reception in Charlottetown would be more than welcoming.

  5. Charlottetown 1864 • Charlottetown was full of excitement in September due to a circus in town. The first time in 25 years brought everyone to the big city. • When the Canadians arrived on Sept. 1st they were welcomed not by a roaring crowd but by W.H. Pope in a dirty rowboat. • Most of the delegates had to sleep aboard ship due to the lack of rooms available in the city.

  6. Charlottetown 1864 • The afternoon of Sept 1st the Conference started and Maritime Union was put aside to hear from the Canadians. • George Cartier spoke on the general arguments in favor of Confederation. • Defense • Lower Trade Barriers • Glories of A Nation From Sea to Sea. • John A. MacDonald spoke on the powers of governments, the Senate and Judicial system. • One of the main themes coming out of the Conference was not to be like the U.S.A.

  7. Charlottetown 1864 • Alexander Galt discussed the financial arrangements of the new union. • The Island was looking for money to buy out the Proprietors and Galt did not address the issue to the degree the Islanders liked. • George Brown spoke on Federal vs. Provincial Powers. The Island wanted most of the power to be local with the Federal Government looking after things like the mail, military, and customs. • The Conference in general was very informal with banquets and parties following the days meetings. • Two main things to come out of Charlottetown was that the new nation was not to be like the Americans and to meet in Quebec the next month.

  8. Quebec Conference • The Quebec Conference was more formal than Charlottetown and Newfoundland was in attendance as well. • Major Arguments in Favour of Confederation: • Defense Against U.S.A. and Fenian Attacks • Lower Trade Barriers • Inter-Colonial Railway • Nation from Sea to Sea

  9. Quebec Conference • The Arguments for Confederation did not affect P.E.I. We had two main interests • The Landlords • Keeping our Assembly • The Canadians viewed the meetings as the Maritimes were joining Canada while the Maritimes viewed it as a meeting of six equal partners.

  10. Quebec Conference • The first topic was the Senate in which the Island wanted equal representation. It was decided to go with Regional Representation. • Senators were to be appointed for life by Ottawa. • The House of Commons was to be 194 seats with 5 going to the Island. The delegates were furious they stormed out of the meeting and would decide to ask for 6…they got five. • Residual Power was to go to the Federal Government. • The Island would be given a .80cents/per head subsidy to make up for a $2 tax to pay off other provinces debt.

  11. Quebec Conference • The Conference produced 72 resolutions in all that would become the Canadian Constitution the Island agreed with 5… • The Island delegates did not even attend the last few meetings. • To be polite the Islanders showed up for the free meals and booze. Some of them actually spoke favorably about the issue in public while criticizing it behind closed doors.

  12. Questions • ____________ Idea circulating in the 1850’s about the Maritimes. • ____________ Islanders were in favor of this kind of union. • ____________ Spoke on the arguments in favor of Confederation. • ____________ Spoke on the Government organization. • ____________ Financial spokesperson. • ____________ Appointed for life by Ottawa. • ____________ Number of seats in Parliament.

  13. Tenant League • In 1864 tennants who were still paying rent on the Island banded together and were refusing to pay rent. • They used horns to warn each other when land-agents came collecting. • In 1865 the League had 11,000 members and things became violent as Donald MacDonald had his barns burned. • Riots broke out and 2 companies of British troops were sent to put down the riots but ended up joining the crowd. • Things settled down by 1867. The government fired or charged anyone involved or that showed sympathy to the League.

  14. The British Get Involved • The British Government wanted the Island to pay the salary of the Governor and sent the Island the bill for the soldiers that put down the Tennant League. • This was supposed to put pressure on the Island to join Confederation. • The Island refused both attempts and the Colonial Office backed off.

  15. A New Offer • In 1867 the new nation of Canada was created without P.E.I. • J.C. Pope was in London at the time of the signing and was offered $800,000 by John A. MacDonald to buy out the landlords. • Pope returned to the Island expecting to be a hero but was considered a traitor.

  16. Better Terms • In 1868 the Americans visited the Island looking to re-establish trade. • Canada and England became worried that the Island would become a naval base for American Fleets. • John A. MacDonald spent the summer on the Island and was convinced by Island politicians, namely Liberal leader, and Premier Robert Haythorne that the Island was ready for Confederation. • The Island would reject the idea once again and MacDonald was furious and the next time Confederation was to be discussed they would come to him.

  17. The Railway • In 1871 J.C. Pope introduced a railway bill to build a railway from Alberton to Georgetown. • The Liberal opposition claimed it would run the Island’s debt so high we would be forced into Confederation. • The budget was set at $13,000 per mile but no limit was set on the length.

  18. The Railway • By 1872 the cost had balloned as the railway forced the Island into debt. • The railway went through every small town and community due to patronage and corruption. • In 1872 a recession hit and the Island could not sell railway bonds and the English would not bail us out.

  19. Confederation • In 1873 the railway had driven the Island so far in debt and no one would finance any new loans. • Haythorne would go to Ottawa and seek terms for Confederation. They asked for the terms of 1869 and got them plus contiuous communication with the mainland, cover of railway debt, and six members in Parliament. • In the election of the same year Haythorne was defeated on the basis J.C. Pope claimed he could get “better terms”.

  20. Confederation • In 1873 Prince Edward Island was given the following terms to join Confederation. • 6 M.P.’s • 4 Senators • 80 cents per capita subsidy • $50 per capita debt allowence. • $800,000 loan • $30,000 year subsidy for government • Efficient Steam Service • Continuous communication • New federal buildings • $45,000 year instead of Crown Lands • Telegraph to the mainland

  21. Confederation • On July 1st, 1873 the Island gave up it’s 104 year independence and joined Confederation. • The official proclamation was read at noon from the balcony of the Colonial Building and no one cheered.

  22. Questions • ___________ 11,000 tennants that would not pay rent. • ___________ The British wanted the island to pay for these two things. • ___________ In 1867 this nation was created. • ___________ In 1868 these people would visit the Island. • ___________ He spent the summer on the Island in 1868 to get the Island into Confederation. • ___________ Introduced the Railway Bill • ___________ The Island was hit by this in 1872. • ___________ Year the Island joined Canada.

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