Concept Map A Reasons - Key Terms

Key Term	Definition/Why unite because of this?
Political Deadlock	•Government and opposition so even in number of seats that it was difficult to have a majority •Frequent elections and votes; put gov’t at a halt •Which colonies were protesting for “rep by pop”? •What helped break the deadlock?
Little Englanders	•Group of English citizens •Believed that North American colonies were a drain on Britain’s resources •Vocalized that the colonies should look out for their own interests (unite perhaps?)
Railway System	•St. Lawrence River froze and the mountains blocked trade routes for a long time •Advantage: transport goods, soldiers, overall communication •Too expensive (why unite?)
Trade/Tariffs	•Connected to what other key terms? What created problems for the colony’s trade? •Colonies had to pay taxes when trading with other colonies or countries…
Corn Laws	•Britain showed special treatment with the colonies; traded with them as low costs/taxes •Cancelled (repealed) in 1846; shifted towards free trade •No longer guaranteed market for Canada •Should the colonies control their own economy and lower taxes?
Britain’s Changing Views	•Began to show less interest in the gov’t •Granted Responsible Gov’t in 1848 •What other effects did this have? What particular colonies were concerned?
American Civil War	•North vs. South States •Britain supported the South (the side that lost) •Colonies fearful that the American would invade
Manifest Destiny	•Belief that the U.S. would expand and occupy all of North America •Threat to the colonies? Which colony in particular?
Reciprocity Treaty	•Free trade with U.S.; low taxes •Cancelled in 1865 •No longer guaranteed market for the colonies that relied on the States for trade (which ones?) •Colonies began to think about uniting to trade with each other – no taxes
Fenian Raids	•Group of Irish Americans who wanted to end British rule over Ireland •1866, attacked the British North America colonies (indirectly attack Britain) •Heightened the fear of American invasion •Why unite then?
Gold Rush	•Attracted a large number of American immigrants •Starting to “Americanize” the B.C. colony •Fear that B.C. would join with the U.S.; geographically isolated from the other colonies in the East
Alaskan Panhandle	•1867, U.S. purchases it from Russia •Heightens the fear of American invasion •Why unite then?