Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada
History
Clouds on the British Horizon
The European Threat
Boats during the loading of wood
© The Illustrated London News / 28 February 1863
One must look at political events in Europe to understand why a system
of defence was set up on the south shore of Québec at the end of the
19th century. At the time, Britain had its hands full trying to quell several
conflicts in the Mediterranean Basin and in a number of areas on the Continent.
One of their biggest concerns was the re-unification of Germany and
the inevitable clash between the Germans and the Austrians. While Great Britain
upheld its policy of non-intervention, the country was worried about not
being able to continue getting its supplies of Scandinavian wood through
the Baltic Sea. This became an even greater concern when, in February 1864,
Prussia invaded Schleswig-Holstein, a duchy situated on the border between
Germany and Denmark.
The cotton mill buildings
© Le Monde illustré /11th April 1863
England then considered returning to Québec, its old port of call.
In North America, the American Civil War that pitted the North against
the South began in April 1861. From the start, England took a neutral stance.
The American Threat
The Northerners burn a convoy of cotton
© Le Monde illustré /11th April 1863
Great Britain wanted to protect its supply of raw cotton coming from
the plantations in the South, but also did not want to compromise its relations
with the Northern states who could easily seek reprisal through Canada. So
when the North blocked cotton shipments, England was forced to turn to its
colonies in India and Egypt to supply its mills. Then as the South advanced,
winning one victory after another, Britain and United Canada feared that
the North would try making up for its lost possessions by moving into Canadian
territory.
A diplomatic incident would soon upset the delicate balance. On November
8, 1861, the British mail boat, the Trent, was accosted by an American war
vessel. Once aboard, the Americans seized two Southern diplomats. The incident
provoked outrage in England and two months later, 11,000 soldiers were sent
out to Canada to defend the colony.
Boarding
of British soldiers for United Canada
© The Illustrated
London News / 14th December 1861
The American Civil War increased tensions to such an extent that
in 1864, the Americans refused to renew the Reciprocity Treaty. Relations
between United Canada and the United States were quickly deteriorating. The
climate was such that the British colonies in North America felt the need
to group together. On the eve of Confederation, Great Britain was facing
trouble in Europe and also wished to protect its interests in the North American
colonies.