Prelude to ConfederationIn the early 1860s, a united British North America (BNA) was a common idea after the American Civil War. After the American Civil War, a belief that Britain was becoming increasingly reluctant to defend its North American colonies against possible American aggression grew among the northern colonies. Unrest within British North America in the face of American expansionist appetite was confirmed with the purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867. Suddenly, Confederation offered the colonies a chance to to establish unification against America and create a free trade market that was not dependent on American trade. this was especially vital after the United States' abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty in 1866. The Confederacy would also consolidate funds needed to build interprovincial railroads, of which the BNA had very little. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay The Confederacy was the perfect solution to provide Britain with an honorable way to escape the economic and military burden of North America, while giving its colonies the strength to unite and prosper.Political ConferenceIn 1864, the premier of New Brunswick, Samuel Leonard Tilley, the premier of Nova Scotia, Charles Tupper, and the first Minister of Prince Edward Island, John Hamilton Gray, proposed the idea of ​​a BNA Maritime Union that would unite the three colonies. These delegations were called the Charlottetown Conference. John A. Macdonald, Premier of the Province of Canada surprised maritime politicians by asking if the Province of Canada could be included in the negotiations. The Maritime Conference allowed Macdonald to join the delegations, and the Charlottetown Conference began on September 1, 1864 and adjourned on September 9, with the Province of Canada and the Maritime Provinces united. This was the beginning of what would unfold in the united rule of Canada. Shortly after returning from the Charlottetown Conference, John A. Macdonald invited delegates from the three Maritime provinces and Newfoundland to hold the Quebec Conference with delegates from United Canada. The conference took place in Quebec in October 1864. Although the conference elected Étienne-Paschal Taché as president, it was Macdonald who dominated the assembly. The conference concluded with the adoption of the seventy-two resolutions, which formed the basis of future conferences and laid the foundation of the Canadian Constitution. The main points addressed in the resolutions were: a strong and united federal government, defined provincial powers, and the division of the province of Canada between Quebec and Ontario. The Conference was adjourned on October 27. In December 1866, delegates from the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met with Crown delegates in London to finalize and discuss the details of constitutional confederation. Macdonald, who chaired the London Conference, was described by Sir Frederic Rogers of the British Colonial Office as "the ruling genius." At Macdonald's insistence, the ANB and UK delegates had revised and amended Resolution 7t under the new name the London Resolutions, which were now ready for submission to the Colonial Office and then to Parliament. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. a custom document now written by our expert writers.Get a Custom EssayThe delegates reconvened in January 1867 and began drafting the British North America Act. THE 72.