The Fathers of Confederation were key figures who shaped Canada's future. They came from diverse backgrounds, bringing varied expertise to the table. Their vision balanced regional interests with a unified national identity.

These leaders faced challenges like American expansion and colonial dependence. They aimed to create a federal system with a strong central government, protect minority rights, and build a transcontinental railway. Their work laid the foundation for modern Canada.

Fathers of Confederation

Key Figures and Roles

• Sir John A. Macdonald led Confederation negotiations as Conservative from Canada West
  • Became Canada's first Prime Minister
  • Skillfully balanced competing interests during negotiations
  • Advocated for a strong central government
• George-Étienne Cartier gained French-Canadian support for Confederation
  • Represented Conservative interests from Canada East
  • Negotiated protections for French language and culture
  • Helped bridge divide between English and French Canada
• George Brown set aside political differences to work with Macdonald
  • Led Reform Party from Canada West
  • Advocated for representation by population
  • Formed Great Coalition with Macdonald to pursue Confederation
• Sir Charles Tupper championed Confederation in Nova Scotia
  • Later became Prime Minister of Canada in 1896
  • Overcame significant opposition in his home province
  • Negotiated favorable terms for Nova Scotia's entry
• Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley secured New Brunswick's entry into Confederation
  • Coined term "Dominion of Canada"
  • Served as Minister of Finance in Macdonald's cabinet
  • Advocated for prohibition and temperance
• Thomas D'Arcy McGee promoted vision of bilingual, multicultural Canada
  • Irish-Canadian politician and journalist
  • Passionate orator for Canadian nationalism
  • Assassinated in 1868, possibly by Fenian sympathizers
• Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt contributed to Confederation's financial arrangements
  • Prominent businessman from Canada East
  • Served as first Minister of Finance of the Dominion
  • Advocated for protection of English-speaking minority rights in Quebec

Motivations of the Fathers

Diverse Backgrounds and Expertise

• Delegates represented mix of English and French-speaking backgrounds
  • Reflected linguistic duality of future nation
  • Brought varied cultural perspectives to negotiations
• Professional backgrounds spanned multiple fields
  • Lawyers (Macdonald, Cartier)
  • Journalists (Brown, McGee)
  • Businessmen (Galt)
  • Career politicians (Tupper)
• Diverse expertise enriched Confederation discussions
  • Legal knowledge informed constitutional framework
  • Business acumen guided economic considerations
  • Political experience facilitated compromise

Political and Regional Interests

• Political ideologies ranged from conservative to reform
  • Conservatives (Macdonald, Cartier) favored strong central government
  • Reformers (Brown) advocated for greater representation by population
  • Required significant compromise and coalition-building
• Regional interests shaped delegates' priorities
  • Maritime delegates focused on economic benefits and railway connections
  • Canada West representatives sought representation by population
  • Canada East delegates prioritized protection of French-Canadian rights
• Economic considerations motivated business-oriented delegates
  • Galt emphasized need for larger internal market
  • Improved trade relations with Britain and United States
  • Development of national infrastructure and transportation networks

Shared Motivations and Concerns

• Fear of American expansion united delegates across ideological lines
  • Recent U.S. Civil War heightened concerns
  • Desire to maintain distinct British North American identity
• Pursuit of greater autonomy from Britain
  • Sought to reduce colonial dependence while maintaining ties
  • Aimed to establish more self-governing federation
• Vision of new nationality transcending ethnic and religious divisions
  • D'Arcy McGee championed inclusive Canadian identity
  • Sought to unite diverse populations under common cause

Vision for Canada

Political and Constitutional Framework

• Federal system balancing provincial autonomy with strong central government
  • Division of powers between federal and provincial levels
  • Addressed regional concerns while fostering national unity
  • Allowed for flexibility in governance of diverse regions
• Bicameral parliamentary system for balanced representation
  • Lower house (House of Commons) based on representation by population
  • Upper house (Senate) provided regional representation
  • Modeled on British parliamentary system with Canadian adaptations
• Protection of minority rights enshrined in constitution
  • Safeguards for French language and culture in Quebec
  • Separate school systems for religious minorities
  • Recognition of existing treaty rights with Indigenous peoples

Economic and Infrastructure Development

• Interprovincial trade and economic integration
  • Removal of internal trade barriers
  • Creation of unified Canadian market
  • Standardization of currency and banking systems
• National railway system to connect provinces
  • Intercolonial Railway linking Maritimes to central Canada
  • Proposed transcontinental railway to future western territories
  • Railway as symbol of national unity and economic progress
• Development of national industries and resources
  • Protective tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing
  • Exploitation of natural resources across vast territory
  • Diversification of economy beyond traditional agricultural base

National Identity and Expansion

• Creation of new Canadian nationality
  • Uniting diverse populations under common identity
  • Balancing British heritage with distinct Canadian character
  • Fostering bilingualism and cultural pluralism
• Establishment of Canada as significant North American power
  • Capable of resisting American influence
  • Maintaining strong ties with Britain while asserting autonomy
  • Developing independent foreign policy and trade relationships
• Westward expansion and nation-building
  • Vision of Canada stretching from "sea to sea"
  • Incorporation of Rupert's Land and North-Western Territory
  • Settlement and development of western prairies
  • Eventual addition of British Columbia to complete transcontinental nation