Causes of Confederation Student Activities

Draw a map of British North America in the early 1860s. From analyzing the map, what advantages would Confederation provide?

Create a series of newspaper headlines surrounding the different American events behind Confederation.

Draw a map of North America and indicate where, in the 1860s, the pressure points of American pressure existed.

Form groups of three representing the Great Coalition. Imagine that this is the first time that you are formally sitting down together. Before the meeting, each of you has noted the changes that you want to see implemented. Conduct the conversation and record who gets most of what they want.

Given the problems that would be encountered on the road to Confederation, what specific qualities of leadership would be necessary that the Fathers of Confederation possess?

In table form, list the causes of Confederation. The left-hand column should be internal causes while the right-hand column should be external causes.

List the advantages that British North Americans would gain through uniting together.

List the challenges and obstacles that British North America would likely face on its road to Confederation.

Research who Mary Anne Shadd was. Time permitting, present the results of your findings to the class.

The Fenians are an interesting phenomenon. Research their origins, development, and impact on British North America.

Why did governments for several years prior to Confederation have a very short life?

Allocate one of the Fathers of Confederation to each student in the class. Research that individual and provide a personality profile as well as his impact on helping to bring Confederation about.

Could a politician like Macdonald or Brown exist, and be successful, in our time? Why or why not?

In a role-play situation, imagine that you have met in a shop and you begin debating the benefits of Confederation. The roles are: a member of the 30 000 strong Canadian militia, a Montreal merchant, an American banker working in Toronto, a New Brunswick shipbuilder, a recently arrived Irish immigrant, and a Canada West farmer.

The following were all proposed as the new capital for the Province of Canada: London, Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, and Quebec City. List the advantages and disadvantages that each city offered as a potential capital. In 1857, Queen Victoria decided on Ottawa. Put yourself in her position - or that of her advisors - and explain the reasoning behind your choice. (As a follow-up exercise, imagine that the Canadian government was considering changing the location of the capital today. Design a set of criteria you think most important in selecting a capital. Which city in Canada best fits your criteria?)

The following were railways, built or projected, in British North America in the 1860s: the Grand Trunk, the Maritime, the Intercolonial, the Great Western, the Northern. On a map, locate where each of these lines was. Briefly explain what its importance, economic and strategic, was. What impact would the achievement of Confederation have on these lines?

You are a resident of British North America who has just read an article in an American newspaper outlining the theory of Manifest Destiny. Write your reaction in a letter-to-the-editor.

Design an effective and eye-catching logo for Confederation.

Debate, either in triad or class format, the following resolution: Be it resolved that the American Civil War caused Canadian Confederation.

Identify the four major political parties at the time of Confederation. What were the major platforms of each?

Imagine that you are Judge C. J. Coursol. Write your verdict in the case of the St. Alban's Raiders.

Imagine that your are George Etienne Cartier. You are to give a speech this evening in Montreal under the title of "Why French Canada should join in the federal union." Write that speech.

What was "rep by pop?" Who favoured it? Why? Who opposed it? Why?

Which single American factor do you think had the greatest impact in helping to bring about Canadian Confederation? Provide supporting evidence for your choice.

Write a contemporary newspaper editorial entitled "The Battle of Ridgeway." In your editorial, make sure to indicate whether you think the colony's defenses are adequate for an invasion as well as make impact you think the Fenian invasion will have. (Remember to try to not be present-minded. Put yourself in Canada West on June 1, 1866, the day after the Battle of Ridgeway.)

Did political deadlock help or hinder the coming of Confederation? Write a Position Paper on the topic.

George Brown wrote many letters to his recent wife, Anne. See if you can find any of those letters. If you are successful in finding some letters, what do the letters reveal about George Brown as a person? Why are personal letters valuable to historians? Is there any limitation the use to which historians should put them? Explain.

The actual threat posed by the Fenians was arguably minimal. Nevertheless, they had a great impact in helping to bring about Confederation. Why do you think that was the case?

Which causes, internal or external, were more significant in bringing about Confederation? Justify your position with supporting evidence.

Write a contemporary newspaper article about George Brown's recommendation of a federal union as a way out of political deadlock.