Pre confederation Canadian history - Essay Example

Pre confederation Canadian history-- staples MEANING OF CONFEDERATION 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". (Confederation) This was a period when the Union of the British North American Colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada came under one umbrella in July 1867. The 4 pre confederation Canadian staples: 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. Meanwhile, the staple development during the pre confederation in Canada was very successful due to a treaty that was made between the aborigine and non aborigine. 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 Pre confederation Canadian history-- staples 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) These are the main primary focus of our assessments. Wheat: It has been explained that the Wheat trade during the pre confederation in the area under review has yield significant outcomes to the social, economic and political well being. 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. (The Court and the Development of Trade in Upper Canada, 1830-1860) Pre confederation Canadian history-- staples FUR: 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 Timber Trade) It was stated that due to the impact brought about during that period, in 1842, the British preferential tariff was lifted, while the transatlantic trade continues to be very lucrative. While the demand of Timber continued to very high in that area of Britain. FISH: This began in the beginning of the 16 century. "Europeans, including the English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Basques, began fishing off Newfoundland in the 16th century". (Fisheries History) Meanwhile, history has testified that during the late of that century the fish trade has flourished in that region, which as result enhanced the economic activities of countries like the English and French. Meanwhile, New England fishermen had increased their fishing in Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy. The British presence in these areas increased after about 1750, and spread elsewhere after 1763. Although SALMON and other species drew increasing attention in Atlantic areas, cod still dominated. By the late 1700s, the WALRUS fishery in the Gulf of St Lawrence had practically disappeared under continued pressure from New England vessels. (Fisheries History) With all the above explanation, we would conclude that the trade of Fur, Wheat, Fish and Timber during the pre confederation has significantly contributed in no small measures towards enhancing the social, economic and politics of that part of world additionally shaped the areas towards a new dimension of development to date. References Confederation, Retrieved April 5, 2007, from http://www.answers.com/topic/confederation Pre-Confederation Treaties in Canada, Retrieved, April 5, 2007, from http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ch/rcap/sg/sg12_e.html The Court and the Development of Trade in Upper Canada, 1830-1860, Retrieved April 5, 2007 from http://links.jstor.org/sicisici=0007-6805%28198622%2960%3A2%3C258%3ATCATDO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U&size=LARGE Fur Trade, Retrieved April 5, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fur_trade The Timber Trade, Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_under_British_Imperial_Control_(1764-1867)#The_timber_trade The Canadian Encyclopedia, Fisheries History, Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfmPgNm=TCE&Params=A1SEC882522 Read More