1867: How the Fathers Made a Deal

by Christopher Moore

“In the 1860s, western alienation began at Yonge Street, and George Brown was the Preston Manning of the day.” So begins Christopher Moore’s fascinating 1990s look at the messy, dramatic, crisis-ridden process that brought Canada into being – and at the politicians, no more lovable or united than our own, who, against all odds, managed to forge a deal that worked.From the first chapter, he turns a fresh, perceptive, and lucid eye on the people, the issues, and the political theories of Confederation – from John A. Macdonald’s canny handling of leadership to the invention of federalism and the Senate, from the Quebec question to the influence of political philosophers Edmund Burke and Walter Bagehot.This is a book for all Canadians who love their country – and fear for it after the failure of the constitution-making of the 1990s. Here is a clear, entertaining reintroduction to the ideas and processes that forged the nation.From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: History, Canada, Nonfiction, Politics

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Christopher Moore has been described as Canada's most versatile writer of history. Twice a winner of the Governor General's Award (and other literary prizes), he writes widely about Canadian history for adults and children. He has also developed historical materials for historic sites, museums, radio, and television, and he speaks frequently to a wide variety of audiences.

He writes a long-running column on history and historians for Canada's History Magazine. A past chair of the Writers' Union of Canada, Christopher Moore lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Andrew Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so good.

Explaining Ontario's interests in confederation through George Brown apologia.
Fifteen pages of Burke exegesis to introduce PEI's interests in confederation.
The tile. The weaving in and out of the Charlottetown Accord with the Quebec Conference.

It's just, so good.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I enjoyed reading this book much more than I thought I would. It was a deep, comprehensive, detailed discussion of how Confederation came about & was made, explaining the point of view of the 1860s instead of our POV. I think any politician, or, in fact, any Canadian, should read this book. It certainly gives food for thought.

Content: Mentions that men drank/were drunk, mentions of men commuting adultery or fornication; a mention of a suggested abortion.

A Favourite Quote: “The confederation-makers would have done well to have been more broadly representative, and their confederation might have been received more warmly had they seated even more political factions around the table. Still, their achievement should not be minimized.”

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but it wasn't fully what I expected. Canada came into being as country in 1867 after a number of conferences in the previous three years where representatives from what became Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (also at times PEI and Newfoundland) met to negotiate and hammer out the terms of confederation. I was expecting this to be a chronological and inside look at these conferences. Moore, however took an approach which works in some ways and doesn't in others. He chose about a half dozen of the key players in the confederation conferences, each from a different region, and examined the story of that regions entry into confederation through the narrative of the individual being focused on. Another aspect of the book, which dates it in some ways (written in 1997) is the author's frequent comparison between the pre- 1867 conferences, and the various constitutional conferences, legislative efforts and referenda which Canada experienced between 1971 and 1995. In examining these comparisons, Moore suggests an idea which made the original conferences work, but which, in missing from the 20th century constitutional efforts, caused them to fail in his opinion. As such in some ways the book reads like a thesis as opposed to a straight history book. Younger readers may be a bit lost with the more recent references, but anyone who remembers Canada's constitutional battles of 30 years ago and who has an interest in our history and how we came to be would enjoy this book.

[Bruce Harpham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book starting on Canada Day 2021. It offers a "behind the scenes" look at how Confederation in the 1860s came about. As someone from Ontario, I found the coverage of debates in the Martimes and Quebec particularly interesting. The author also makes some good points about why 1860s Canadians were passionate about ties with the UK at that time (i.e. an alliance of the world's greatest power was attractive given the vast armies created during the US Civil War).

The constant comparisons between the 1860s and the late 20th century (e.g. Meech Lake etc) constitutional efforts felt a bit dated. The author's argument that "responsible government" as a concept has declined to nil in modern Canada (e.g. back bencher MPs do not choose their party leader or PM etc) is sadly difficult to refute.

[Rory Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this good is a good read for those who are interested in political history. The book mainly recounts the various figures in the 1860’s who were fundamental to the confederation of Canada and the various conference that took places on the years leading up to confederation in which the fundamental structure of the canadian government were ironed out. It speaks to a much different political time in which everything was not yet fully set in stone and as such people were lead more by there beliefs and regional politics rather then any commitment to a specific party or party leader.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weaving contemporary political issues (from the 90s) with the deliberations of the Fathers of Confederation - great read for those interested in political theory and Canada's history

[Jordan Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent book when it sticks to history. However, the author's attempts to draw lessons for contemporary politics are awful. He seems to lack basic knowledge about the Meech Lake and Charlottetown processes. He also complains about changes to Canadian politics since the 1860s without any consideration of why these changes happened. Christopher Moore is a historian and he should probably stick to history.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Canadian friends told me their history was boring, but I couldn't put this book down. The account of how legislatures worked and were viewed was fascinating and a bright comparison to how they work now, in Canada or here in Australia. And the pen sketches of the characters was fascinating.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a real revelation for me. I didn't realize we had Real revolutions, with people actually being killed, in Upper Canada. At the same time, it brought home how much control our leaders, and especially the Prime Minister, has over our government. A great history lesson!

[Philip Girvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provideds the political context surrounding the 1864 Charlottetown and Quebec meetings as well an introduction to the personalities involved.