Unit 1: Canada's

Confederation and
Early Years
What we must know about Canada:
Canada is located in North America,
which is one of the seven continents of
the world. It is the northernmost
country in North America and covers a
vast expanse of the continent, extending
from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to
the Pacific Ocean in the west and
reaching up to the Arctic Ocean in the
north.
What we must know about Canada:
Canada shares its southern border
with the United States and is known
for its diverse geography, including
mountains, forests, lakes, and
extensive coastlines.
What we must know about Canada:
Second-Largest Country: Canada is
the second-largest country in the
world by land area, covering
approximately 9.98 million square
kilometers. It's only surpassed by
Russia in size.
What we must know about Canada:
National Parks: Canada is home to
over 40 national parks and national
park reserves, preserving its
stunning natural landscapes and
diverse ecosystems. Banff National
Park,
located in Alberta, was the
country's first national park.
What we must know about Canada:
Multilingual Nation: Canada is a
bilingual country with two official
languages, English and French.
French is the primary language in
the province of Quebec, where the
majority of the population speaks
French.
What we must know about Canada:
Maple Syrup Capital: Canada is
the world's largest producer of
maple syrup, particularly in the
province of Quebec. Every year,
Canadians celebrate "Maple Syrup
Day“ on the third Saturday in
April.
What we must know about Canada:
Ice Hockey Origin: Ice hockey, one
of Canada's most popular sports,
has its origins in the country. The
first recorded indoor ice hockey
game was played in Montreal in
1875.
What we must know about Canada:
Longest Coastline: Canada boasts
the longest coastline of any country
in the world, stretching over
202,080 kilometers and bordering
the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic
Oceans.
What we must know about Canada:
Arctic Claims: Canada has the
world's second-largest Arctic
territory after Russia. It is
responsible for vast areas in the
Arctic region and the maintenance
of the North Pole.
What we must know about Canada:
Lakes and Freshwater: Canada
contains a significant portion of the
world's freshwater, with about 20% of
the planet's total freshwater supply in
its lakes and rivers. Lake Superior, one
of the Great Lakes, is the largest
freshwater lake by surface area in the
world.
What we must know about Canada:
Invention of Insulin: The discovery of
insulin, a crucial hormone for treating
diabetes, is credited to Canadian
scientists Sir Frederick Banting and
Charles Best. This life-saving discovery
occurred at the University of Toronto in
the early 1920s.
What we must know about Canada:
Moose and Beaver: The moose and
beaver are two iconic Canadian animals
and are even featured on the country's
official symbols. The beaver is the
national emblem of Canada, and the
moose is the provincial animal of
several provinces.
What we must know about Canada:
Unique Time Zone: The province of
Newfoundland and Labrador is on its
unique time zone, known as
Newfoundland Standard Time, which is
30 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard
Time.
What we must know about Canada:
Highest Tides: The Bay of
Fundy, located between New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, has
the highest tides in the world.
The tidal range can reach up to
16 meters (over 50 feet).
What we must know about Canada:
No Snakes on the Island: The
island of Newfoundland is one of
the few places in the world
where you won't find any native
snake species.
What we must know about Canada:
No Snakes on the Island: The
island of Newfoundland is one of
the few places in the world
where you won't find any native
snake species.
Lesson 1: The Road
to Confederation
I. Pre-Confederation Canada: A Land of
Diverse Influences
Before Confederation, the region we now
know as Canada was inhabited by
Indigenous peoples who had lived on this
land for millennia. These Indigenous
groups had their own distinct cultures,
languages, and traditions, and they had
established complex societies long before
European contact.
Indigenous Peoples: Before European
settlers arrived, Canada was inhabited by
Indigenous peoples who had lived on the
land for thousands of years.
These Indigenous groups, including First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis, had distinct
cultures, languages, and traditions.
They had developed sophisticated societies
with unique belief systems, governance
structures, and ways of life.
Their deep connection to the land and their
resourceful adaptation to the diverse
Canadian environments played a central
role in their existence.
These colonial powers competed for
control of the territory, leading to conflicts
such as the Seven Years' War (1756-1763),
which ended with the Treaty of Paris in
1763. As a result, New France was ceded to
the British, and Canada became a British
possession.
European Exploration and Colonization:
In the 16th century, European explorers,
primarily from France and Britain, began
to venture to North America. They sought
new trade routes, resources, and territories
to expand their empires.
These explorers made contact with
Indigenous peoples, which initiated the
exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies
between the Old World (Europe) and the
New World (North America).
Competition for Control: As European
powers established colonies in North
America, they vied for control of the
territory that would become Canada.
The French and British were the primary
colonial powers involved in this
competition. This rivalry led to conflicts,
notably
the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), which
was a global conflict that had a significant
impact on North America.
Treaty of Paris (1763): The Treaty of Paris
in 1763 marked the end of the Seven Years'
War. As a result of this treaty, New France
(the French colony in North America) was
ceded to the British. This meant that
Canada, which was part of New France,
became a British possession.
The treaty also resulted in significant
territorial changes in North America, with
Britain gaining control of Canada, Florida,
and other territories, while France ceded
Louisiana to Spain.
Responsible Government: A Crucial Step
Towards Confederation
In the early 19th century, the idea of
responsible government began to take
shape in the British North American
colonies.
Responsible government meant that
colonial governments were accountable to
their elected representatives, rather than
being
controlled directly by the British Crown.
This concept gained traction after the
Rebellions of 1837-38 in Upper and Lower
Canada (now Ontario and Quebec), where
discontent with colonial governance led to
armed uprisings.
Lord Durham's Report in 1839
recommended the union of Upper and
Lower Canada and the introduction of
responsible government.
The Act of Union in 1841 merged the two
provinces into the United Province of
Canada, and responsible government was
gradually implemented, giving colonial
legislatures greater control over their
affairs.
1. Responsible Government Defined:
Responsible government is a political
system in which colonial or provincial
governments are accountable to their
elected representatives in the legislature
rather than being directly controlled by the
British Crown or a colonial governor.
Under this system, elected officials in the
legislature, typically members of the
legislative assembly, are responsible for
forming and leading the government.
This government is expected to reflect the
will of the elected representatives, ensuring
that it enjoys their confidence.
2. Context: Rebellions of 1837-38:
The idea of responsible government gained
momentum following the Rebellions of
1837-38 in Upper and Lower Canada,
which are now modern-day Ontario and
Quebec. These uprisings were driven by
widespread discontent with the existing
colonial governance, which was seen as
undemocratic and unresponsive to the
needs and aspirations of the people.
3. Lord Durham's Report and Its
Recommendations:
In 1839, the British government appointed
Lord Durham (John George Lambton) to
investigate the causes of the rebellions and
propose solutions. Lord Durham's Report,
also known as the Durham Report, became
a pivotal document in the evolution of
responsible government.
Lord Durham recommended two key
measures:

Union of Upper and Lower Canada: He

suggested merging Upper and Lower
Canada into a single entity known as the
United Province of Canada. This union
aimed to reduce tensions between the
English-speaking and French-speaking
populations.
Introduction of Responsible Government:
Lord Durham advocated for the
implementation of responsible government,
wherein elected representatives would have
more control over their affairs.
4. The Act of Union (1841):
The Act of Union in 1841 was a legislative
response to Lord Durham's recommendations.
It united Upper and Lower Canada into a single
province called the United Province of Canada,
later known simply as the Province of Canada.
This union was intended to foster cooperation
and reconciliation between the two linguistic and
cultural groups.
5. Implementation of Responsible
Government:
Following the Act of Union, the concept of
responsible government was gradually
introduced in the United Province of
Canada.
This meant that the government was
formed by members of the legislative
assembly who enjoyed the confidence of the
elected representatives. It marked a
significant departure from the previous
system, where colonial governors held
significant power.
Maritime Provinces and the Charlottetown
Conference (1864)
While the United Province of Canada was
moving toward responsible government, the
Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, and Prince Edward Island)
were also facing economic and political
challenges.
In 1864, delegates from these provinces met
in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island,
to discuss the possibility of a union.
The Quebec Conference (1864) and the
Birth of the Dominion of Canada following
the Charlottetown Conference, a second
conference was held in Quebec City in 1864.
This gathering included delegates from the
United Province of Canada, the Maritime
Provinces, and Newfoundland.
At the Quebec Conference, key figures such
as John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne
Cartier played instrumental roles in
shaping the vision of Confederation.
Newfoundland, British Columbia, and the
Expansion of Confederation while the
Quebec Conference laid the groundwork
for Confederation, the union faced
challenges in bringing in Newfoundland
and British Columbia. Newfoundland
initially declined to join Confederation in
1867 but later joined in 1949.
The British North America Act (1867) and
Canada's Birth: After extensive
negotiations and discussions in the British
Parliament, the British North America Act,
also known as the
Constitution Act, 1867, received royal
assent on March 29, 1867. This act
established the Dominion of Canada, which
came into existence on July 1, 1867.
Legacy and Impact of Confederation:
Confederation had a profound impact on
Canada. It provided a framework for the
expansion of the country as more provinces
joined over the years. It also allowed
Canada to evolve into a diverse and
multicultural nation, while maintaining its
ties to the British Crown.
Reflections on Canada Today: Diversity,
Unity, and Continuity
Canada today is a nation that celebrates its
diversity and multiculturalism. The legacy
of Confederation is visible in the country's
commitment to inclusivity, social welfare,
and a strong democratic tradition.
Lesson 2: The Birth
of Canada
The British North America Act, 1867 (BNA
Act):

The British North America Act, 1867, also

known as the BNA Act or Constitution Act,
1867, was a crucial piece of legislation
passed by the British Parliament that paved
the way for the birth of Canada as a self-
governing dominion within the British
Empire.
The BNA Act laid out the framework for
the new Dominion of Canada, defining its
structure, powers, and responsibilities. It
divided legislative authority between the
federal and provincial governments,
ensuring a federal system. The Act came
into effect on July 1, 1867, officially
establishing Canada as a nation.
Do you have any
questions?