Benefits To British Columbia example essay topic

American annexation or Canadian confederation? This was the question that British Columbia was faced with during the 1860's. At this time, British Columbia was undergoing a great depression due to an under populated colony ruled by a very expensive government. Many argued that annexation would remedy this and turn British Columbia into a prosperous state and that confederation is only giving false promises of a great government. The following will promote annexation over confederation stating the pros and cons of both. British Columbia at the time was in a financial and economical crisis.

This was mainly because of the fact that the colony was being taxed into severe poverty by an extravagant and irresponsible form of government and instead of the population gradually rising, it's actually been declining for the early part of the 1860's. Land value has been cut 50% since 10 years ago and people seeking profit in an untapped market only gained tremendous losses. Another factor for the current status of the colonies is its vast distance from the home government and even longer to the mother land; England. The colony was in a dead end and the only way to run around was either annexation or confederation. Annexation seemed to be the logical choice at the time because of the fact that British Columbia was so close to the United States, from whom they did most of their trade with, there was one problem with this. Free trade hasn! |t been established between the United States and the colony.

In fact everything that we can produce is taxed so large that with the exception of a very few insignificant articles, we have not the remotest hope of ever supplying our American neighbors. With that, the colonists felt that unless confederation could bring free trade within all of North America, Annexation is in there best interest. It offered more than confederation could. The colonists believed that once annexation took place, the island would no longer be depending on the fitful and transient excitement of gold mines and beginning mining the other minerals, which lie almost untouched, would be immediately brought to the surface of the earth, and become exports of value and prominence. Population would immediately flow into the country, and the real estate would quadruple its value in less than six months. This seemed to be a very likely event because all throughout the American pacific coast, Prosperity and success seemed to share a common bond.

The Americans also saw British Columbia as a more valuable asset to themselves than it could be to Canada or Great Britain. Major General Henry, W. Hall eck, Commander of the military division of the pacific wrote; The only other remedy suggested is to extinguish by purchase and treaty with the British claim to all territory west of the Rocky Mountains. With this, included a list of reasons and specific points to how British Columbia would benefit under American rule. 1) The territory is of little value to the British Government 2) That it can never be colonized by British subjects. 3) That it would be or much greater value to us than the Great Britain. 4) That its transfer to us would remove all subjects of dispute and irritation on that frontier and tend to a lasting peace.

5) That such a transfer would reduce the expenses for military defense for both parties. 6) That its annexation is desired by the people of British Columbia. All these are valid and reasonable points such as number one this territory is of no value to Great Britain because for one thing, British Columbia was too far away, this would result in a minimal amount of European immigrants, trade, and understanding of the colonies crisis and policies. And Number five that such transfers would reduce the expenses for military defenses for both parties. This was true because with the pacific coast virtually controlled by only the Americans, less naval military vessels would be needed to defend the pacific and the Rocky Mountains would provide a suitable barrier between British Columbia and the rest of Canada.

Confederation, however did offer some benefits to British Columbia, such as a railroad that was promised to be built within 15-20 years. On the other hand! K Americans would already have 2 coast to coast railways and one would end up in New Westminster. Confederation also promises a responsible government who will look at the peoples needs. But this seemed highly impossible mainly because British Columbia was such a minority when compared to the rest of Canada and its great distance from Ottawa. The people of the colony were afraid that they may be abandoned at any time.

And that the benefits of the larger provinces of Canada, will always take precedence of those in British Columbia. The Colonists knew that change was inevitable, but they wanted to change for the better instead of changing the name of the government but remaining no different than before. Overall, annexation was the more favorable choice for British Columbia's future. It offered all that confederation could and then some. Such as better economical support like free trade with the rest of the United States, a railroad system, and a better form of government. All of which would lead British Columbia into a prosperous and bright future.