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Why did Canada join together?
Confederation was inspired in part by fears that British North America would be dominated and even annexed by the United States. (See also: Manifest Destiny.) These fears grew following the American Civil War (1861–65). The violence and chaos of the Civil War shocked many in British North America.
Why did Canada secure the West?
One of the objectives of the leaders of the confederation movement was the annexation of Rupert’s Land — the West — to enable the agricultural expansion of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Of these, only the Canadians were particularly interested in the prospect of annexation.
Why did each province join confederation?
Confederation was proposed as a way of easing these French-English tensions, and of resolving the state of political deadlock that had arisen between Canada East and Canada West, making the combined colony difficult to govern.
Why did Canada Expand West?
If Canada were to compete with the U.S., it would also need to expand westward, acquire further lands for colonization, settlement, markets and resources – and perhaps most importantly, access to the Pacific Ocean. This necessitated union with British Columbia.
What was a main reason for the North West Territories splitting into two provinces Alberta and Saskatchewan?
After further negotiations, it was decided that the proposed province would be too big to administer, and so it was split into Alberta and Saskatchewan. Canada adopted the Alberta Act and the Saskatchewan Act on 1 September 1905, and the new provinces — Canada’s 8th and 9th — entered Confederation.
Why did Canada West want to join Confederation?
There were numerous reasons why Canada West would want to join Confederation. In fact, it was probably the region which benefitted the most from the Canadian union. First of all, it was the dominant economy in the future nation.
What were the economic advantages of the Canadian West?
First of all, it was the dominant economy in the future nation. It had the most industry, agriculture, and railroads. From 1854-1864 the Reciprocity treaty with the US was exceptionally beneficial to Canada west. When the treaty was cancelled, however, Canada west faced a prolonged recession if it could not find new markets.
Why did Canada West have more political representation than Canada East?
The two regions had the same number of seats in the colonial legislature. It was located first in Kingston, then Montreal , and later Toronto and Quebec City. Canada West, therefore, had greater political representation as measured by population.
Why did the population of Canada West increase so quickly?
This was due to rising population , increasing transportation links and, as of 1854, Reciprocity ( free trade) with the US. This opened up huge nearby markets for Canadian grain, lumber, fruit, textiles and machinery . By 1852, the population of Canada West had grown to about 950,000 people.