Question

With the list of resolutions drafted, the Fathers of Confederation representing Canada West, Canada East, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia travelled to England to write the British North American Act. This legislation would officially end the colonies status as British colonies. They would be joined as a united, partially self-governing country by an act of British Parliament. The London Conference, which took place between December 1866 and March 1867, is represented in the image on the right. Why do you think it was important to create this act in Britain and not in the colonies?

Answer 1

The British North American Act was created in Britain rather than in the colonies for several reasons, including the need for approval from the British Parliament and to establish legitimacy and authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The British North American Act was created in Britain rather than in the colonies for several reasons:

1. The Act needed to be approved by the British Parliament in order to legally end the colonies' status as British colonies. As such, it was important to have the legislation drafted and passed in Britain.
2. Creating the Act in Britain would also ensure that it would have the official stamp of approval from the British government, giving it more legitimacy and authority.
3. By involving the British government in the process, it helped to reassure the British Empire that the colonies would continue to be subject to British rule, while also granting them some degree of self-governance.

Overall, creating the British North American Act in Britain was a strategic move that helped to establish a legally binding framework for the transformation of the colonies into a united and partially self-governing country within the British Empire.