Arguments for the Confederation
Nova Scotia became part of Canada in the year 1867. This was not an automatic occurrence, since not all the people in the land were for the deal. Even though Nova Scotia became a province of Canada in the confederation, some still opposed the union. The region had enjoyed freedom for thousands of years (Tattrie). European invasion into the region provided a challenge to their independence to some extent. It was in the year 1848 that Nova Scotia became a colony in British North America an achievement towards self-rule. Come the 1860s the coastal settlements of the colony had made huge economic and political gains thanks to their formidable fishing, trade and shipbuilding potential.
Despite their potential and freedom the people of the region were divided as to either join Canada of continue being a colony of Britain. There were numerous reasons against joining Canada. The region however would join Canada since it was bore greater advantages. Some of the arguments for joining Canada were that the region would enjoy better security against the Americans; it would also increase the market of the products of the people of Nova Scotia (“The 1st of July”). The union on the other hand, would be important for gaining finances that would assist in the construction of the railway line that would join Québec and Ontario.
The region of Nova Scotia though rich with resources and good agricultural land could not enjoy the benefits in isolation (Tattrie). With all of these treasures at hand, pundits at the time argued that it would lie in waste if they worked in Isolation. Since Canada had the capacity, skills and adequate human resources, it would have been easier to ask for their assistance through a union. Nova Scotia saw the need of becoming part of Canada in order to improve their economy as well as capacity of utilizing their natural resources.
Through their isolation, the people of Nova Scotia have gained little from their expenses that includes the construction of railway lines, fishery as well as investments in farming. By Joining Canada during the period, the region would enjoy a market of over 150 million people (Tattrie). On the other hand, the people of the region might now have a chance of utilizing huge territories of land and have a formidable route for conducting commerce.
The other advantage the region gains from the union is the pride of being part of a larger country. It is also advantageous since the unity comes with a greater sense of security. People within the region will now have extra freedom of moving through the greater region of Canada. It is the time when the people of Nova Scotia enjoy big things.
Arguments against Confederation
The people of Nova Scotia joined Canada reluctantly since the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Joseph Howe was probably an important figure for opposing the unity between Nova Scotia and Canada. His argument was that the region would have developed a responsible government rather than joining Canada (“The 1st of July”). The basis for his argument was that Nova Scotia had the potential of flourishing alone and it would be ignored if it joined Canada.
He argued that the population of the region that consists of over 300,000 people should be left to decide their fate. He also argued that the region had an opposite culture and a strategic geographical location to exist in isolation. Since the region had a formidable fishing, agriculture and shipbuilding industry Howe saw no reason for the people to join Canada (Tattrie). On the other hand, most of the citizens that formed the region of Nova Scotia felt closer ties with England as opposed to regions in Canada.
Some of the pundits against the union between Nova Scotia and Canada argue that the union was due to under deals. It was argued that the region was rich and full of treasures that Canada grabbed and sold out by traitors from the region. Further arguments against the unity between Nova Scotia and Canada is that the union is a result a corrupt few (“The new Dominion”). It is evident that the union did not include the voices of all citizens but a few individuals. An analysis was put forward that Canada would offer nothing to the region since it was struggling.
It was a perception at the time that the Unity was a product of corrupt men who wanted to gain from the vast resources in Nova Scotia. Most of the people of the region had close contact with Britain thus the view of the union as illegitimate. It was a perception that the resources of Nova Scotia attracted Canada, which used a few corrupt men to agree to the unity.
It is therefore a perception that the resources of the region, its freedom and governance will move to Canada. For the people of the people of Nova Scotia this would be their last grip on power and freedom. After the unity, the future of the region is in doubt (“The new Dominion”). The country will suffer from a decreased level of personal freedom of its citizens. Citizens will now be required to place their allegiance to Canada rather than their British masters.
Arguments for Confederation the better Option
For the people of Nova Scotia joining Canada would be more advantageous. The importance of the two regions joining is to end political deadlocks that were evident by the endless rebellions. The other advantage of Nova Scotia joining Canada is the improvement of the railway infrastructure that would join the two colonies together (Tattrie). This will make transportation easier between the two colonies. The other advantage that Canada gains from uniting with Nova Scotia is that it would have access to resources from all of its colonies.
The other formidable advantage that the Nova Scotia region gains from uniting with Canada is financial, skills and labor assistance. Canada had advanced in terms of technology and skill set of its labor force. The financial assistance would be an important factor in the creation of infrastructures in the field of health and agriculture. The benefit of the union between the region of Nova Scotia and Canada include an increased market for trading products and goods.
Citizens within the country will be much safer with an increase in fighting power and work force. On the other hand, the advantage of the union between the two regions will benefit the people of Nova Scotia because they will have a huge opportunity for employment and other benefits. Farmers will now have the freedom of farming huge hectares of land. It is also imperative that the people of the region will have the advantage of better education, healthcare and lifestyle.
Works Cited
Jon Tattrie, “Nova Scotia and Confederation,” 14 September 2018, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nova-scotia-and-confederation
“The 1st of July” Eastern Chronicle and Pictou County Advocate (Nova Scotia), July 3, 1867, p. 3
“The new Dominion” Halifax Evening Express July 3, 1867, p. 2
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