Draft of the British North America Act in Sir John A. Macdonald’s handwriting
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LOOK
Look at this document. Can you read it? What are some challenges of using hand-written documents as primary sources?
THINK
Do you think Britain was pro-Confederation? Read the historical context below, and do some external research to find out.
DO
Divide the class into six groups so that each group represents one of the following colonies: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario or Quebec. Provide each group with a card that lists the pros and cons of Confederation for their colony. You can find the information on this Reference Guide. Have the groups hold a debate to determine whether or not they want to join Confederation.
Details
Date 1866-1867
Materials - Paper
- Ink
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867.
- This is a draft of the British North America Act in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
In December 1866, delegates from these colonies met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at Court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867, marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario.
This draft of the British North America Act is in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, who had participated in the Charlottetown Conference, held out, joining in 1873 and 1949, respectively.
In December 1866, delegates from the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867 — the date Canadians now celebrate as Canada Day — marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. (Quebec and Ontario had previously been merged as the United Province of Canada; Confederation separated them into two distinct provinces.)
Ottawa, chosen as the capital of the United Province of Canada in 1857, became the capital of the Dominion, and the newly knighted Sir John A. Macdonald became the Dominion’s first prime minister. This draft of the British North America Act is in Macdonald’s handwriting.
- The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867.
- This is a draft of the British North America Act in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
In December 1866, delegates from these colonies met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at Court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867, marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario.
This draft of the British North America Act is in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, who had participated in the Charlottetown Conference, held out, joining in 1873 and 1949, respectively.
In December 1866, delegates from the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867 — the date Canadians now celebrate as Canada Day — marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. (Quebec and Ontario had previously been merged as the United Province of Canada; Confederation separated them into two distinct provinces.)
Ottawa, chosen as the capital of the United Province of Canada in 1857, became the capital of the Dominion, and the newly knighted Sir John A. Macdonald became the Dominion’s first prime minister. This draft of the British North America Act is in Macdonald’s handwriting.
Summary
- The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867.
- This is a draft of the British North America Act in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
Essential
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
In December 1866, delegates from these colonies met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at Court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867, marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario.
This draft of the British North America Act is in Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s handwriting.
In-Depth
By late 1866, Confederation had been ratified by the governments of the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, who had participated in the Charlottetown Conference, held out, joining in 1873 and 1949, respectively.
In December 1866, delegates from the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick met in London, England, to prepare for the British Parliament’s passing of the British North America Act. Queen Victoria received the delegation at court and, on March 29, 1867, gave royal assent to Confederation.
The British North America Act came into effect on July 1, 1867 — the date Canadians now celebrate as Canada Day — marking the birth of the Dominion of Canada, which comprised four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. (Quebec and Ontario had previously been merged as the United Province of Canada; Confederation separated them into two distinct provinces.)
Ottawa, chosen as the capital of the United Province of Canada in 1857, became the capital of the Dominion, and the newly knighted Sir John A. Macdonald became the Dominion’s first prime minister. This draft of the British North America Act is in Macdonald’s handwriting.