Confederation Debate

Question 1

Why did BC need to join a new union?

Answer 1

• Population of BC was in decline
• debt/ financial losses from Cariboo Wagon Road
• Britain was tired of supporting British Columbia

So Bc was urged to join a union. A fight between confederation or annexation by the US.

Question 2

Why did Annexationists want to join the US?

Answer 2

Mostly Victorian merchants (aka business owners) favoured of joining the US

• felt it was better economically for BC because Canada was far away
• Nearby Washington and Oregon were prospering
• ensure the permanent links to the market hopefully helping their businesses and exposing them to more trade.

Question 3

What was the outcome of the Confederation debate?

Answer 3

• Eventually annexationists were out voted since Victoria had a smaller population than the mainlanders
• the annexationists then made a “wish list” Canada was now promising a railway to British Columbia within 10 years. To ensure trade was still good and Bc would profit economically.

On July 20th 1871 BC officially joined Canada.