Pre confederation Canadian history - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... Initially there is the need to know the meaning of Confederation since all our discussion is based on that angle. According to a definition found, Confederation means "A group of confederates, especially of states or nations, united for a common purpose; a league".The essence of this discussion is to make assessments on the 4 Pre Confederation Canadian staples namely; fur, fish, wheat and timber. How these staples changed New France to socially, economically and politically advance.Canada was undertaken in the context of small groups of settlers living on a small portion of the land mass of the continent and involved such matters as trade and commerce, law, peace, alliance and friendship, and the extradition and exchange of prisoners. It took place in a time of intense diplomatic and military competition among European powers to claim territory, trade and influence in North America (Pre-Confederation Treaties in Canada)The role of the infrastructural investments in the economic development of Upper Canada (Canada West after the act of Union in 1841, renamed Ontario at confederation in 1867), has generally been limited to analyze of transportation and financial institution. The economic history of Upper Canada is still typically interpreted within the staple approach, with much emphasis been placed on Timber, wheat and flour, as the leading exports sector propelling the colonial economy. Is another trade that flourished during the pre-confederation, which as a result. It was carried out by the native people around there, during that period. According to a research about Fur trade in the era of pre confederation, its has more political impact than the economic impact.
Often, the political benefits of the fur trade became more important than the economic aspects. Trade was a way to forge alliances and maintain good relations between different cultures and as marriages were METIS the currency of diplomatic ties of that time, the trade was the beginning of the (mixed European and Native American parentage). Consequently, there was much rivalry between different European-American governments for control of the fur trade with the various native societies. (Fur Trade)



TIMBER: is one the trade that became very significant to the socio-economic and Political well being of people during the pre confederation era. Its replaces the trade of Fur which later decline. During that period, the trade was given priority in three main regions.

Pre confederation Canadian history-- staples


The first to be exploited was the St. John River. Trees in the still almost deserted hinterland of New Brunswick were cut and transported to St. John where they were shipped to England. This area soon could not keep up with demand, and the trade moved to the St. Lawrence River where logs were shipped to Quebec City before being sent on to Europe. This area also became insufficient, and the trade expanded westward, most notably to the Ottawa River system, which by 1845 provided three quarters of the timber shipped from Quebec City. The timber trade became a massive business. In one summer 1200 ships were loaded with timber at Quebec City alone. (The ...Download file to see next pagesRead More