Discuss Canada’s progress from colony to nation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Canada’s progress to independent nation can be defined by the following key events:

Charlottetown Conference (1867)

The conference was organized by three maritime colonies (Novia Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) and included a delegation from the British Province of Canada. The conference led to an initial agreement in which there would be a confederation and a single federal government (the government would include a prime minister and parliament). At the same time, single...

Canada’s progress to independent nation can be defined by the following key events:

Charlottetown Conference (1867)

The conference was organized by three maritime colonies (Novia Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) and included a delegation from the British Province of Canada. The conference led to an initial agreement in which there would be a confederation and a single federal government (the government would include a prime minister and parliament). At the same time, single provinces were given the right to elect their own parliament and prime minister. This conference established a political unity and the birth of a self-governing dominion. This dominion, however, remained part of the British Empire.

Immigration & Industrialization

Immigration and industrialization in the early twentieth century led to economic growth, and steadily Canada became self-reliant. In World War I, Britain became reliant on Canada for armaments.

World War I

Canada, despite its self-reliance and economic growth, was still dependent on Britain in foreign policy. Consequently, Canada was part of the war effort and contributed both soldiers and armaments. Canada’s war effort contributed to Britain re-evaluating its relation to the dominion.

Statute of Westminster

After the war, Canada, and other dominions, pressured Britain to re-evaluate their relationship. Eventually, the 1931 Statute of Westminster established Canada’s legal independence from Britain. This statute, however, excluded constitutional matters.

The Constitution Act (1982)

Final and complete independence came in 1982. The act established the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and announced complete independence from Britain in constitutional matters.