The Fathers Of Confederation

 A large space along the path tells the story of Canadian Confederation in the 1860s.

Part of the backdrop of the movement was drawn out of the chaos of the American Civil War. Leaders in the Canadian colonies saw the result of a country with weaker federal government responsibilities play itself out in force south of the border, and took that as an example not to follow. As well, the general tone of the Americans about musing on annexing Canada stressed the need to unite and work together.

In the wake of the Civil War came the Fenian Raids, the military operations of Irish-American veterans of the Union Army who hoped to hold Canada for ransom to force the British to grant Ireland independence. The raids were turned back each time. This display case features a musket of the time, and the standard uniform of a Union soldier. Most of the Fenian Raiders simply wore their old uniform.

The need to remain independent of a resurging American union and the lessons learned by Canadian leaders of what had happened south of the border became part of the framework of Confederation.

Three leaders formed what was called the Great Coalition during the talks for Confederation. John A. Macdonald and George Etienne-Cartier, at lower right, were co-premiers of the Canadas. George Brown at lower left was a rival politician who despised Macdonald. But they all understood the need to work together for the greater good.

Another of the Fathers of Confederation as they would come to be called was the most eloquent voice of them all. Thomas D'Arcy McGee was a friend of Macdonald, Irish by birth, a radical in youth who had called for Irish independence. He had come to North America, settling down as a journalist, writer, and lawyer before entering politics. It was in Canada that his world view completely changed and he saw the value of British constitutional parliament. He would become a fierce advocate for Canadian unity in that tradition. In doing so he ended up despised by his former comrades in the Fenian movement.

One of them assassinated him in 1868 when he was coming home to his boarding house after a session in Parliament. The country mourned his loss.

This is the gun used in the assassination. Patrick James Whelan, a Fenian supporter, was arrested, tried, and executed for the assassination, but there have long been doubts as to if he was guilty- or the only one involved.

For today, one of the iconic photographs of Canadian history: the Fathers of Confederation, posing together at the Charlottetown conference.