Answer Key

Facts
1. Which provinces supported the idea of Confederation? Ontario and Quebec
2. What are two things a central government is able to do? Manage and maintain a nation, build railway, make
national currency, form military, make laws and constitutions.
3. What would happen to the provinces if Confederation was formed? It would unite the provinces into one
nation.
4. Which political party/parties was/were against Confederation? The political party known as the Parti-
Rouge led by A. A. Dorion.
5. Which political party/parties was/were supporting Confederation? East Conservatives, West Conservatives
and the Clear Grits
6. Which province was the last to join Confederation? Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949
7. Which provinces were the first to join Confederation? Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
8. Where did the 3 conferences discussing Confederation take place? Charlottetown, Quebec and London
9. Many of the people in the Maritimes didnt want Confederation. What are two reasons why they were
forced into it? Some of the provinces experienced debt after construction, or their political leader signed
them to it.
10. How did the formation of Confederation come to be? A series of 3 conferences led to the formation of
Confederation
11. What was desired in the Maritimes at the same time Confederation was being brought into question?
They wanted to form a maritime union.
12. By whom was Confederation supported by? Three of the four major political groups in the Canadas.
13. What major religion gave their support to Confederation in 1867? The Catholic Church gave their support.
14. Which foreign nation supported the idea of Confederation in Canada? Britain supported the idea of
Confederation.

15. Why did Britain support the idea of Confederation in Canada? They found it too time-consuming and
expensive to conserve their colonies and this would allow them to let Canada support themselves.
16. From who did many of the practical ideas on how Confederation would be achieved come from? John A.
Macdonald
17. Which people were the original Fathers of Confederation? Those who attended the conferences of
Confederation.
18. Which two provinces opted out of Confederation in the third conference? Prince Edward Island and
Newfoundland
19. When did Canada officially become a Confederation, and therefore an independent nation? July 1st, 1867
20. What is Manifest Destiny? Manifest Destiny was the idea that the US would take over all of North America.
21. How did Manifest Destiny affect the decision towards confederation for Canada? Canada found that they
would be protected better from the US if they were joined together.
22. Why was George Etienne Cartier important during Confederation? George Etienne Cartier was John A.
Macdonald's political partner until death, and supported the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Pros and Cons
1. How would a Confederation not be necessary for the Maritimes and simply be a nuisance?
The Maritimes are already prosperous and did not want to change their Constitution.
2. What major threat would make Confederation very appealing to the people of Canada?
The United States are a major threat as they express intentions to take over North America.
Confederation would help prevent that.
3. How would transportation become much easier throughout Canada if it were to be united?
The Canada Pacific Railway would be made which would connect all the provinces together.
4. The cultural communities of Canada were not the same. How would a Confederation negatively
effect some cultures?
The minorities in Canada could potentially lose their individuality and would be assimilated into the
majority group.
5. Different regions had different ideas on how Confederation should be run. How could this effect the
formation of Confederation?
The different ideas on how to run Confederation would conflict, and each group wouldn't get everything
they want.
6. With all the provinces of Canada separate, managing it can be difficult. How would Confederation
make it easier to manage?
They will have a central government and there wouldn't be any major conflicts between the provinces
7. With the rising use of currency, how would a united Canada make currency use much more efficient?
You'll be able to use the same type of currency in every province throughout Canada.
8. Many people made meager wagers, and a Confederation would be costly and rely on the people. What
is something people feared would come with Confederation?
People feared that taxes would come with confederation because of how costly it is.
9. Military forces separate from each other in different provinces would not be very strong. How would
Confederation solidify the Military?
All the military forces in each province would combine to strengthen the military.
10. Canada was more culturally diverse than most places. When rights are written up with Confederation,
what would be a concern from the minority groups?
The concern from the minority groups in Canada is that they might not receive the rights that the
majority would get.