The Montreal Annexation Manifesto was a political document dated September 14, 1849, and signed in Montreal , Canada East , calling for the Province of Canada 's annexation by the United States .
41-618: The manifesto was published in two versions (October 11, 1849, and December 1849) by the Annexation Association , an alliance of 325 Montreal businessmen. Most of these were English-speaking Tories , who were opposed to Britain 's abolition of the Corn Laws , which ended preferential colonial trade, and by its consent to the Rebellion Losses Bill , and French Canadian nationalists (including Louis-Joseph Papineau ) who supported
82-610: A "National Government" platform was likely inspired by the Union Government which the Conservatives formed during World War I in coalition with some dissident Liberals. After Manion's defeat, the Conservatives again turned to Arthur Meighen for leadership. Senator Meighen was appointed the party's leader for the duration of the war in November 1941 by a unanimous vote at a national conference of several hundred party delegates after
123-545: A bill in 1918 for extending the franchise to women; it passed without division. This tactic split the Liberal Party: those who did not join the Unionist Party ran as Laurier Liberals . The election resulted in a landslide election victory for Borden. Borden attempted to continue the Unionist Party after the war and when Arthur Meighen succeeded him in 1920, he renamed it the " National Liberal and Conservative Party " in
164-505: A further strain as most Quebecers (plus pacifists and many workers, farmers and socialists across the country, especially immigrants) were unenthusiastic about Canadian involvement in what they saw as a foreign, and particularly British, conflict, while Borden's supporters, most living in English Canada, supported Canada's war effort and its policy of conscription of men for the war (see Conscription Crisis of 1917 ). The attempt to turn
205-515: A minimum wage, a maximum for work week hours, unemployment insurance, health insurance, an expanded pension program, and grants to farmers. The Conservatives' conversion to the concept of a welfare state came too late, and the Conservatives were routed in the October 1935 election , winning only 40 seats to 173 for Mackenzie King's Liberals. The Bennett years left the Conservatives in the worst shape they had ever been – not only did enmity towards
246-681: A motion to hold a leadership convention was defeated. He resigned from the Senate and attempted to enter the House of Commons from a safe Conservative seat but was trounced by the CCF in a February 1942 by-election in York South. His party's agitation for a re-enactment of conscription in World War II only further alienated Quebec from the Conservatives. Meighen resigned as leader following his defeat. Later that year,
287-507: A new election but Byng refused and asked Meighen to form a government. Meighen's government was defeated three days after taking office by a vote in the Commons, leaving no choice but a new election. The general election produced a Liberal victory. Wiseman argues that Liberals emphasized Canadian nationalism while Conservatives "exuded British imperialist pride". The " King–Byng Affair " played primarily to Canadian nationalist sentiment because it
328-535: The 1911 election . Wilfrid Laurier 's Liberals, in favour of increased trade with the U.S., were swept from power. Robert Borden led a new Tory administration that emphasised a revitalised National Policy and continued strong links to Britain. Borden had built a base in Quebec by allying with anti-Laurier Quebec nationalists, but, in government, tensions between Quebec nationalists and English Canadian imperialists made any grand coalition untenable. World War I created
369-656: The British Empire ) and strong political and legal links with Britain while Liberals promoted free trade and continentalism (that is closer ties to the United States) and greater independence from Britain. Macdonald died in 1891 and, without his leadership, the Conservative coalition began to unravel under the pressure of sectarian tensions between Catholic French Canadians and British imperialists who tended to be anti-French and anti-Catholic. The government's mis-handling of
410-638: The Canadian Pacific Railway , significantly expanded Canada's territorial boundaries, and introduced the National Policy of high tariffs to protect domestic industries. During its third period of governance from 1911 to 1921, the Conservative Party introduced the income tax and women's suffrage for federal elections, and most notably oversaw Canada's involvement in World War I . In 1917,
451-567: The Conservative party with some individual Liberal members of Parliament . It was formed in 1917 by MPs who supported the " Union government " formed by Sir Robert Borden during the First World War , who formed the government through the final years of the war, and was a proponent of conscription . It was opposed by the remaining Liberal MPs, who sat as the official opposition. The Unionist Party continued to exist until 1922, at which time
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#1732855488379492-513: The Great Depression , although the party was widely unpopular for its handling of it, leading to their defeat in 1935 . In 1942, the Conservatives attempted to broaden their base by electing Manitoba Progressive Premier John Bracken as their new leader at that year's leadership convention . Bracken agreed to become the party's leader on the condition that it change its name to the " Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ". The roots of
533-648: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , on orders from the Prime Minister, attacked a public meeting of 3,000 strikers leaving two dead and dozens injured. In desperation, Bennett had attempted to save his government by reversing its laissez-faire policies and, belatedly, implementing "Bennett's New Deal" based on the New Deal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt . Bennett proposed progressive income taxation,
574-537: The republican system of government in the United States . These businessmen believed that so long as Canada was under British rule, it would be subjected to the interests of elements of Britain's aristocracy and businessmen. Papineau too had believed a similar subjection occurred, perpetrated by France . The signatories believed that, given the tiny population and limited transportation routes in Canada compared to that of
615-544: The "Unionist Party" composed of Borden's Conservatives, independent MPs, and members of the Liberals who left Laurier's caucus to support conscription. Supporters of the Borden government ran for parliament as "Unionists", while some of the Liberals running as government supporters preferred to call themselves " Liberal-Unionist ". Prime Minister Borden pledged himself during the 1917 campaign to equal suffrage for women. He introduced
656-634: The British colony should first negotiate independence from the UK's rule, as an intermediate step before joining with the United States. Future Prime Minister of Canada John Abbott was a signatory to the manifesto, though he later described that action as a youthful error. The manifesto was strongly opposed by members of the British American League and by leading politicians such as Robert Baldwin plus
697-617: The Conscription Crisis destroyed any remaining Conservative base in Quebec for generations, leaving them with even less support than they had before the Union government. Borden's successor, Arthur Meighen formally attempted to make the Unionist coalition permanent by creating the "National Liberal and Conservative Party" but most Liberals ended up returning to their old party and some Conservatives balked at what they saw as an attempt to destroy
738-466: The Conservative Party. John Hampden Burnham , MP for Peterborough West , quit the government caucus to sit as an Independent Conservative and resigned his seat in order to contest it in a by-election on his position. Meighen's party was defeated by the Liberals in the election of 1921 coming in third behind the Progressives. At March 1922 caucus meeting the party voted to revert to its original name of
779-468: The Conservative elements re-formed the Conservative party. In May 1917, Conservative Prime Minister Borden proposed the formation of a national unity government or coalition government to Liberal leader Sir Wilfrid Laurier in order to enact conscription and to govern for the remainder of the war. Laurier rejected this proposal because of the opposition of his Quebec MPs and fears that Quebec nationalist leader Henri Bourassa would be able to exploit
820-507: The Conservatives attempted to broaden their base by electing Manitoba Progressive Premier John Bracken as their new leader at the 1942 leadership convention . Bracken agreed to become the party's leader on the condition that it change its name to the " Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ". Unionist Party (Canada) The Unionist Party was a centre to centre-right political party in Canada , composed primarily of former members of
861-653: The Conservatives continue in Quebec as a legacy of the Conscription Crisis of 1917 , but they were now reviled in the West for their perceived insensitivity to the needs of farmers in the Dust Bowl and Westerners turned to Social Credit or the CCF making the Conservatives their fourth choice. The Conservatives would have to wait twenty years before their fortunes in Western Canada revived. Bennett's successor, Robert Manion ,
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#1732855488379902-478: The Conservatives include Hugh Guthrie and Robert Manion . Following the defeat of Meighen's government, the "National Liberal and Conservative Party" changed its name to the "Liberal-Conservative Party of Canada", although it was commonly known as the "Conservative Party". During World War II , the Conservatives opposed the Liberal government of William Lyon Mackenzie King in the 1940 election by campaigning for
943-406: The Conservatives into a hegemonic party by merging with Liberal-Unionists failed as most Liberals either joined the new Progressive Party of Canada or rejoined the Liberals under its new leader William Lyon Mackenzie King . One critical issue in this split was free trade - farmers were particularly hostile to Tory tariff policy and free trade was a key issue in the creation of the Progressives while
984-547: The Liberal-Conservative Party. The Liberals were reduced to a minority government in the 1925 election . The Conservatives won a plurality of seats in the House of Commons , but King was able to stay in power with the support of the Progressives and form a minority government . King's government was defeated in a vote in the House of Commons within months and Prime Minister King asked Governor-General Byng to call
1025-561: The United States, the abolition of customs duties at such an early point in Canada's economic development would be disastrous for Canadian business. They predicted a lack of foreign capital investment leading to economic downturn and massive job losses. News of the annexation movement and its manifesto was widely reported in New York. The New-York Daily Tribune sent a correspondent to Montreal. The New York Herald and New York Times newspapers both responded with editorials proposing that
1066-465: The coalition concept run as "National Government" candidates nominated through open riding conventions in which members of any party would be allowed to vote. The concept did not pan out and, in practice, the National Government candidates were all Conservatives. Despite the new name, the party failed to gain any seats, and Manion was personally defeated in his riding . The idea for running under
1107-581: The desired result Bennett's government had no alternative plan. The party's pro-business, pro-bank inclinations provided no relief to the millions of unemployed who were now becoming increasingly desperate and agitated. The Conservatives seemed indecisive and unable to cope and rapidly lost the confidence of Canadians becoming a focus of hatred, ridicule and contempt. Car owners who could no longer afford gasoline reverted to having their vehicles pulled by horses and dubbed them "Bennett buggies". R. B. Bennett faced pressure for radical reforms from within and without
1148-499: The first national government in 1867. The party brought together ultramontane Quebec Catholics , pro-tariff businessmen, United Empire Loyalists , and Orangemen . One major accomplishment of Macdonald's first government was the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway which also led to the Pacific Scandal that brought down the government in 1873. The Liberal-Conservatives under Macdonald returned to power in 1878 by opposing
1189-628: The followers of Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine . After the signing of the Canadian–American Reciprocity Treaty in 1854, the annexation movement died out. Conservative Party of Canada (historical) Provincial Provincial The Conservative Party of Canada was a major federal political party in Canada that existed from 1867 to 1942. The party adhered to traditionalist conservatism and its main policies included strengthening relations with Great Britain , nationalizing industries, and promoting high tariffs. The party
1230-595: The grievances that aroused the Red River Rebellion and the North-West Rebellion , and its hanging of their leader Louis Riel ), and the Manitoba Schools Question exacerbated tensions within the Conservative Party and suppressed much of the support among Quebecois for the Conservative party, a problem only smoothed over by the 1980s. Free trade between Canada and the U.S. was the major issue of
1271-560: The hope of making the coalition permanent. The Unionists had never been officially a single party, and therefore lacked the structure of an official party and Meighen hoped to change this. In the 1921 general election , most of the Liberal-Unionist MPs did not join this party and ran as Liberals under the leadership of its new leader, William Lyon Mackenzie King . Only a handful ran again as Liberal-Unionists or joined Meighen's renamed party. Prominent Liberal-Unionists who stayed with
Montreal Annexation Manifesto - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-431: The party introduced conscription , triggering a national divide known as the Conscription Crisis . As a result of the crisis, the party joined with pro-conscription Liberals to become the " Unionist Party ", which existed until 1920. The Conservatives were defeated in the 1921 election . The Conservatives briefly formed government in 1926 and from 1930 to 1935. During the latter period, the Conservatives were faced with
1353-463: The party are in the pre- Confederation Province of Canada . In 1853, the bleus from Canada East and the Tories and moderate reformers from Canada West joined together in a coalition government under the dual premiership of Allan MacNab and A.-N. Morin . It was out of this coalition that the Liberal-Conservative Party was formed. Macdonald became the leader of the Conservative Party and formed
1394-489: The party: Bennett attempted to prevent social disorder by evacuating the unemployed to relief camps far away from the cities but this only exacerbated social tensions leading to the " On-to-Ottawa Trek " of unemployed protesters who intended to ride the rails from Vancouver to Ottawa (gathering new members along the way) in order to bring their demands for relief to Bennett personally. The trek ended in Regina on July 1, 1935, when
1435-517: The policy of free trade or reciprocity with the United States and promoting, instead, the National Policy which sought to promote business and develop industry with high tariff protectionist measures as well as settle and develop the west. The principal difference between the Conservatives and the Liberals in this period and well into the twentieth century was that Conservatives were in favour of imperial preference (a protectionist system in which tariffs would be levied against imports from outside
1476-424: The situation. Public opinion in Quebec was heavily against conscription, influencing the Liberal opposition to it due to the large number of Liberal MPs from Quebec. As an alternative to a coalition with Laurier, on October 12, 1917, Borden formed the Union government with a Cabinet of twelve Conservatives, nine Liberals and Independents, and one "Labour" member. To represent "labor" and the working class , Borden
1517-603: Was appointed to the Cabinet Conservative Senator Gideon Decker Robertson who had been appointed to the Senate in January and had links with the conservative wing of the labor movement through his profession as a telegrapher. Robertson, however, was a Tory and not a member of any Labour or socialist party. Borden then called an election for December 1917 on the issue of conscription (see also Conscription Crisis of 1917 ), running as head of
1558-536: Was chosen at the 1938 leadership convention which also officially changed the name of the party from the Liberal-Conservative Party to the National Conservative Party. The Conservatives fought the 1940 election under Manion with a different name, "National Government". With the election taking place during World War II , the party ran on a platform of forming a wartime national unity government . Manion proposed to have Liberal and Labour supporters of
1599-412: Was chosen by this method. Bennett led the Conservatives to power in the 1930 election , largely as a result of the inability of the Liberal government (or any government in the western world) to deal with the Great Depression . Bennett promised to end the economic crisis in three days by implementing the old Conservative policy of high tariffs and imperial preference. When this policy failed to generate
1640-573: Was felt the Governor General, a British government appointee, had overstepped his bounds and that this was a sign of excessive British influence in Canadian politics. The political impact of the King–Byng Affair therefore favoured the Liberals. Meighen was replaced as Tory leader by R. B. Bennett , a millionaire Calgary businessman at the 1927 leadership convention , the first time a Tory leader
1681-404: Was founded in the aftermath of Canadian Confederation and was known as the " Liberal-Conservative Party " until it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873. Primarily under the leadership of John A. Macdonald , the Conservatives governed Canada from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 to 1896. During these two periods of governance, the party strengthened ties with Great Britain, oversaw the construction of