Fathers of Confederation
Photograph
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
Look at this picture of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2019 Cabinet. What similarities and differences do you see when you compare it with the photo from 1864?
LOOK
Look at this group picture of the Fathers of Confederation in 1864. Who is in this photograph? What do they look and dress like? Do you think the picture could be used to represent the general population of Canada at the time? Who might be missing from this photograph?
THINK
Look at this picture of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2019 Cabinet. What similarities and differences do you see when you compare it with the photo from 1864?
THINK
Can you think of a reason for Macdonald being seated in the middle of the photograph?
DO
Selfie time! With your teacher and classmates, recreate this photograph in front of your school.
Details
Date September 1864
Materials - Photograph
Transcript
Convention at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Of delegates from the legislatures of Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, to take into consideration the union of the British North American Colonies, – September 1, 1864.
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- The Charlottetown Conference was first called to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only.
- Once the Province of Canada delegates were invited, they used the occasion to lobby for Confederation.
- This photograph of the Charlottetown Conference delegates was taken by George P. Roberts.
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada then lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
The seeds of Confederation were planted. Just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to work out its details.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown delegates during the nine-day conference.
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies that might counter the American threat.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown Conference delegates, most of them looking weary. The photograph captures them in suits and top hats on one hot summer’s day of the nine-day conference, during which, it was reported, they consumed a great deal of alcohol.
In the words of George Brown, one of the delegates from the United Province of Canada, “Whether as a result of our eloquence or of the goodness of our champagne, the ice became completely broken, the tongues of the delegates wagged merrily.”
The Charlottetown Conference held promise for Confederation: just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to discuss steps toward making it a reality.
- The Charlottetown Conference was first called to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only.
- Once the Province of Canada delegates were invited, they used the occasion to lobby for Confederation.
- This photograph of the Charlottetown Conference delegates was taken by George P. Roberts.
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada then lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
The seeds of Confederation were planted. Just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to work out its details.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown delegates during the nine-day conference.
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies that might counter the American threat.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown Conference delegates, most of them looking weary. The photograph captures them in suits and top hats on one hot summer’s day of the nine-day conference, during which, it was reported, they consumed a great deal of alcohol.
In the words of George Brown, one of the delegates from the United Province of Canada, “Whether as a result of our eloquence or of the goodness of our champagne, the ice became completely broken, the tongues of the delegates wagged merrily.”
The Charlottetown Conference held promise for Confederation: just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to discuss steps toward making it a reality.
Summary
- The Charlottetown Conference was first called to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only.
- Once the Province of Canada delegates were invited, they used the occasion to lobby for Confederation.
- This photograph of the Charlottetown Conference delegates was taken by George P. Roberts.
Essential
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada then lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
The seeds of Confederation were planted. Just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to work out its details.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown delegates during the nine-day conference.
In-Depth
As the United States expanded its military force during the American Civil War, 1861–1865, officials in British North America were anxious to discuss a union of the colonies that might counter the American threat.
The Charlottetown Conference was first proposed to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies only, but delegates from the United Province of Canada lobbied to attend. Once their request was granted, the Canadian delegates used the opportunity to pitch their idea of a larger union of all British North American colonies.
In this photograph, taken by George P. Roberts, we see the Charlottetown Conference delegates, most of them looking weary. The photograph captures them in suits and top hats on one hot summer’s day of the nine-day conference, during which, it was reported, they consumed a great deal of alcohol.
In the words of George Brown, one of the delegates from the United Province of Canada, “Whether as a result of our eloquence or of the goodness of our champagne, the ice became completely broken, the tongues of the delegates wagged merrily.”
The Charlottetown Conference held promise for Confederation: just one month later, delegates met again in Québec City to discuss steps toward making it a reality.