Confederation Party
Encyclopedia
Confederation Party was a term for the parties supporting Canadian confederation
in New Brunswick
, Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland
in the 1860s when politics became polarised between supporters and opponents of Confederation. The Confederation parties were accordingly opposed by Anti-Confederation parties
in those three jurisdictions. A conference was held on September 1, 1864, in Charlottetown when the Province of Canada became interested in it. Sir John A. Macdonald
was a huge promoter of Confederation and even made an alliance with his political rival, George Brown
to make it happen.
In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Confederation parties became Conservative parties aligned with the federal Liberal-Conservative Party
of Sir John A. Macdonald
(generally known simply as Conservatives), while Anti-Confederation parties became Liberals
. This approximated the political dichotomy that existed prior to Confederation although, because of the realignment, some former Liberals became Conservatives and vice versa.
The acceptance of the Confederation Party was greatly influenced by the American Civil War
. Other reasons were an aggressive American foreign policy and the Fenian Raids of 1866.
Some of the Maritime Provinces were worried that the autonomy would be weakened if they took up the Confederation. It was also feared that the French-Canadian interests would be weakened if the Confederation was embraced in Canada East (Quebec).
the fatheres of the confederation were librals who's values were individualisam free enter prise and a strong belife in the rights of private property. this classic libralisam was a mid set formed from government rules particularly far ones. in 1865 oxford academic Goldwin Smith urged laissez-faire and a cheep constrained govern ment , rather than statist scheems were the true pathe to economic progress. the larges issues raised by oppositions of the confederation party were taxation. Debates concerning the confederations view on taxation were vital for opposers to be reintroduced to the reasons canada was formed.it knocked down Peter Waites position that the unification of the colonies was pragmatic polotics. Newfoundland did not pay taxes in the same regard before the union of the colines the confederation party was able to turn their heads . noviscotioa feared that they would be taxed to support the union governments deficits.
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
in the 1860s when politics became polarised between supporters and opponents of Confederation. The Confederation parties were accordingly opposed by Anti-Confederation parties
Anti-Confederation Party
Anti-Confederation was the name used in what is now Atlantic Canada by several parties opposed to Canadian confederation.-Nova Scotia:In Nova Scotia, the "Anti-Confederates" were led by Joseph Howe. They attempted to reverse the colony's decision to join Confederation, which was initially highly...
in those three jurisdictions. A conference was held on September 1, 1864, in Charlottetown when the Province of Canada became interested in it. Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
was a huge promoter of Confederation and even made an alliance with his political rival, George Brown
George Brown
- Politicians :* George Brown, Baron George-Brown , British politician, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs* George Brown, Jr. , U.S...
to make it happen.
In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Confederation parties became Conservative parties aligned with the federal Liberal-Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
of Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
(generally known simply as Conservatives), while Anti-Confederation parties became Liberals
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
. This approximated the political dichotomy that existed prior to Confederation although, because of the realignment, some former Liberals became Conservatives and vice versa.
The acceptance of the Confederation Party was greatly influenced by the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Other reasons were an aggressive American foreign policy and the Fenian Raids of 1866.
Some of the Maritime Provinces were worried that the autonomy would be weakened if they took up the Confederation. It was also feared that the French-Canadian interests would be weakened if the Confederation was embraced in Canada East (Quebec).
the fatheres of the confederation were librals who's values were individualisam free enter prise and a strong belife in the rights of private property. this classic libralisam was a mid set formed from government rules particularly far ones. in 1865 oxford academic Goldwin Smith urged laissez-faire and a cheep constrained govern ment , rather than statist scheems were the true pathe to economic progress. the larges issues raised by oppositions of the confederation party were taxation. Debates concerning the confederations view on taxation were vital for opposers to be reintroduced to the reasons canada was formed.it knocked down Peter Waites position that the unification of the colonies was pragmatic polotics. Newfoundland did not pay taxes in the same regard before the union of the colines the confederation party was able to turn their heads . noviscotioa feared that they would be taxed to support the union governments deficits.
See also
- List of Canadian political parties