Reasons for Confederation in Canada

1. American Expansion Northward

1.1. At the end of the American Civil war, there was talk of invasion of the British North Colonies from Americans. American Southern raiders used Canadian territory as a base, + the British supported the south to some extent.

1.2. Good Farm land in Canada West was hard to come by; the people began looking to the lands of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. However, Americans were thinking of further expanding to these lands as well. If colonies were to join together, they would earn the land before the Americans did.

1.3. With growing threats from America, if the British North Colonies joined, they would be able to defend themselves better.

2. Changing British Attitudes

2.1. The British thought that if the British North American colonies were to join, then they would not have to spend so much money defending against American threats.

2.2. British governors encouraged the idea of Confederation, so British armies would not have to help them.

2.3. The support of Britain also meant Britain was in favour of it's colonies governing themselves with responsible government, playing an important role in Canada's self-government.

3. Political Deadlock and Great Coalation

3.1. The Great Coalation was formed during the political deadlock, in year 1864

3.2. Political deadlock is where a law is unable to pass due to an equal amount of votes

3.3. The Confederation Party's purpose was to form a federal union between in the province of Canada + create a larger union with other colonies.

4. Railways

4.1. Separation from Atlantic colonies + the St. Lawrence River in the winter.

4.2. Mail deliveries often took a week. Construction of railways would reduce this time to one day.

4.3. Merchants from Montreal had a way to get theur goods to Canada East, even during winter.

5. Trades with the US

5.1. Britain has entered a period of free trade, making the colonies of British North America loose many markets, hurting the economy

5.2. In 1854 The Reciprocity Treaty was sighed between British North America and the US. Colonies from the North now could sell products without Tariff.

5.3. If colonies joined the Confederation party, they could easily trade with each other with help from railways and free of tarrifs. Economic proseperitry would continue.