Reaction to the 72 Resolutions
In order to even come under consideration of the British. Many powerful politicians were still very much against the idea of Confederation. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland delegates almost immediately had their proposals declined by the general population as well as other politicians. There were many arguments upon possible losses of cultural identity especially from the viewpoint of French-Canadians who believed they would lose their identity in a seemingly English-speaking dominated British North America. Prince Edward Island was even less enthusiastic on the matter of confederation after a $200, 000 pound loan was declined by United Province of Canada. A politician named Joseph Howe led the anti-confederates with many claims concerning Nova Scotia as well as other Maritime Provinces and the concern that they (with lower populations) would without a doubt have less seats in the proposed government and therefore less influence. Howe (a patriot to Great Britain) also stressed the potential loss of ties to Great Britain. Although the anti-confederates had many key points that hey made in their argument, but they did have a fierce opposition with arguments of their own. They brought up the realism of a possible United States invasion as Fenian raids were common especially in the Maritime Provinces. They made the point of railroad building creating jobs and boosting trade once it was done. One of the reasons New Brunswick was able to join confederation was the election lost by Leonard Tilley in 1865. The party against population was victorious. The Governor General, however had other plans and made a huge effort along with Tilley to boost public approval of Confederation. After the Governor General assured the people of New Brunswick that their ties to Great Britain would be kept and how beneficial confederation would be for New Brunswick and its people would be the Governor General called for another election. Tilley, this time was victorious.It goes without saying that the colonies reaction to the 72 resolutions were crucial in the fight for confederation.