Confederation faced significant opposition, especially in the Maritimes. Anti-Confederation sentiment was strong, led by figures like Joseph Howe in Nova Scotia. Concerns included loss of autonomy, economic disadvantages, and inadequate representation in negotiations.

The Red River Resistance, led by Louis Riel, challenged Canadian expansion into Métis territory. This uprising resulted in the Manitoba Act of 1870, creating the province and addressing Métis concerns. However, tensions between the Métis and the government continued.

Opposition in the Maritimes

Anti-Confederation Sentiment and Leadership

• Anti-Confederation movement emerged in the Maritimes due to concerns over loss of political autonomy and economic disadvantages
• Joseph Howe, a prominent Nova Scotian politician, led the opposition to Confederation in Nova Scotia
  • Argued that Confederation would lead to higher taxes and decreased influence for the Maritimes in the new federal government
  • Traveled to London to lobby against Confederation, but ultimately failed to prevent Nova Scotia's inclusion

Resistance and Rejection in the Maritimes

• Nova Scotia's resistance to Confederation was fueled by the belief that the province's interests were not adequately represented in the negotiations
  • Nova Scotia's Premier, Charles Tupper, pushed for Confederation despite significant public opposition
• New Brunswick initially rejected Confederation in 1865 due to concerns over the proposed financial arrangements and the loss of provincial autonomy
  • However, a change in government led to New Brunswick's acceptance of Confederation in 1866
• Prince Edward Island delayed joining Confederation until 1873, six years after the initial union
  • The island's reluctance stemmed from its desire to maintain control over its land and resources, as well as concerns over the island's debt and the terms of union

Newfoundland's Refusal to Join Confederation

• Newfoundland, which was a separate British colony at the time, refused to join Confederation in 1867
  • The colony's leaders believed that Newfoundland's interests were better served by remaining independent
  • Concerns included the potential loss of control over fisheries and the fear of being overwhelmed by the larger Canadian provinces
• Newfoundland remained a separate Dominion until 1949, when it finally joined Canada as the tenth province following a close referendum

Red River Resistance

The Red River Resistance

• The Red River Resistance was an uprising led by the Métis people in the Red River Colony (present-day Manitoba) in 1869-1870
  • The resistance was a response to the Canadian government's acquisition of Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company without consulting the local population
  • The Métis, led by Louis Riel, feared that their rights, culture, and land would be threatened under Canadian control

Louis Riel's Leadership

• Louis Riel emerged as the leader of the Métis during the Red River Resistance
  • Riel was a charismatic figure who advocated for the rights of the Métis and sought to protect their way of life
• Riel and his followers established a provisional government in the Red River Colony and presented a list of rights to the Canadian government
  • The demands included guarantees for Métis land rights, political representation, and the protection of French language and Catholic religion in the region

The Manitoba Act and Resolution

• The Canadian government, recognizing the need to address the concerns of the Métis, negotiated with Riel's provisional government
• The result was the Manitoba Act of 1870, which created the province of Manitoba and granted many of the Métis' demands
  • The act provided for bilingual (French and English) government services, protected Métis land rights, and established a system of Catholic and Protestant schools
• Although the Manitoba Act resolved the immediate crisis, tensions between the Métis and the Canadian government persisted, leading to further conflicts in the following years (North-West Rebellion of 1885)