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Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
@CraigBaird
Mar 4, 2025 • 11 tweets • 4 min read • Read on X
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In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.

🧵1/10 The image is a black-and-white political cartoon depicting a man in a suit standing behind a counter labeled "Republican Platform." He is holding a bottle labeled "Untaxed Whiskey, 20¢ Gal." in one hand and a piece of cloth labeled "War-Taxed Common Cloth, Tariff 84%" in the other. Above the counter, a sign reads, "If you don’t see what you want, ask for it." The cartoon, signed by W.A. Rogers, appears to satirize the Republican Party's economic policies, highlighting the disparity in taxation between luxury items like whiskey and essential goods like...
Put forward by William McKinley, who was a Congressman at that point, the Tariff Act put duties across imports ranging from 38% to 49.5%.
McKinley was called the Napoleon of Protection. While some items had tariffs eliminated, most had tariffs increased.

🧵2/10 The photo is a black-and-white portrait of a man wearing a formal dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie. His hair is neatly combed and parted to the side. He has a serious expression and is seated, with one hand resting on his lap. The background is plain and dark, keeping the focus on his attire and expression, suggesting a historical or official photograph, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century.
One reason for the tariffs was to force the annexation of Canada. The McKinley Tariff declined to make an exception for Canadian products.
It was hoped this would make Canada more reliant on the US market, and push Canadians to become the 45th state.

🧵3/10 The image is a black-and-white scan of a newspaper article or editorial excerpt. The headline reads, "A TRIUMPH FOR CANADIAN BARLEY." The text discusses the McKinley tariff bill, describing it as an example of "protectionism run mad," and notes that it has failed to achieve its goal of affecting Canadian farmers. Specifically, it mentions that the bill increases the import tax on barley from 10¢ to 30¢ per bushel, but this has not reduced the importation of eight to twelve million bushels of barley yearly from Ontario, benefiting the western farmer. The text is formatted...
Secretary of State James G. Blaine believed that annexation would eliminate competition with Canada over fishing and timber rights. Blane co-authored the Tariff Act.
He stated of annexation: "a grander and nobler brotherly love, that may unite in the end”

🧵4/10 describe photo The photo is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a full, gray beard and gray hair, wearing a formal dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie. He has a serious expression and is seated against a plain, dark background. The image has a classic, historical feel, likely from the 19th century, suggesting it is a formal photograph of a notable figure, such as a politician or public figure.
British politician Lyon Playfair saw the Tariff Act for what it was. He called it a covert attack on Canada,
Both Britain and the United States believed the Tariff Act would drive Canada to join the United States.
In reality, it had the complete opposite result.

🧵5/10 The image is a black-and-white scan of a newspaper article excerpt from The Globe, dated November 15. The text reports on a speech by Sir Lyon Playfair, as cabled by the newspaper's London correspondent. The article highlights Playfair's address at Leeds, emphasizing his warning about the dangers of protectionism in the United States and his recommendation for Canada to adopt free trade principles. It mentions that Europe and Asia will contribute to Canada's future greatness and prosperity, potentially making it one of the greatest and most prosperous countries in the world through commerci...
The Tariff Act instead pushed Canada to align itself more with Britain. People began to rally behind their "love for Queen, flag, and country".
Sir John A. Macdonald used the tariffs as a rallying cry in the 1891 election and was able to win another majority government.

🧵6/10 The photo is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with gray, curly hair and a serious expression. He is wearing a dark suit, a white shirt, and a polka-dotted tie with a pin or medallion on it. The background is plain and dark, emphasizing the formal attire and the subject's composed demeanor. The image has a historical feel, likely from the 19th century, suggesting it is a formal photograph of a notable figure, such as a politician or public figure.
Within two years of the Tariff Act being passed, agricultural exports to Britain from Canada went from $3.5 million to $15 million.
Produce and animal exports to Britain grew from $16 million to $24 million during that same period.

🧵7/10 The image is a black-and-white scan of a newspaper article excerpt with the headline "Our Egg Trade With Britain." The text discusses a commercial bulletin (No. 4) related to eggs, poultry, canned goods, dressed and evaporated fruits. It highlights that exports of eggs from Canada to Britain are rapidly increasing and notes an almost unlimited market for Canadian eggs. The text is formatted in a dense, traditional newspaper column style, typical of the late 19th or early 20th century.
Minister of Trade and Commerce Mackenzie Bowell said:
“The McKinley Bill, instead of destroying the trade of this country, has only diverted it from the United States to England."
American consumers dealt with a sharp increase in prices.

🧵8/10 The photo is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with white hair and a full white beard, wearing a formal dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie. He has a serious expression and stands against a plain, dark background. The image has a historical feel, likely from the 19th century, suggesting it is a formal photograph of a notable figure, such as a politician or public figure.
The Republicans lost the 1890 Congressional elections, losing 93 seats while the Democrats gained 86.
In 1892, the Democrats gained control of the Senate, House and Presidency.
They then replaced the Tariff Act with a new act that lowered tariffs.

🧵9/10 The image is a black-and-white scan of a newspaper headline and article excerpt. The large, bold headline reads, "Cleveland Elected." Below it, subheadings state, "McKinleyism Is Ended Forever," "Tariff is a Tax," and "WE ARE THE PEOPLE!" The article mentions a "Perfect Landslide For The Democracy. The Democratic Cyclone of 1880 Repeated." The text is formatted in a dense, traditional newspaper style, typical of the late 19th century, likely celebrating the election victory of Grover Cleveland and the Democratic Party in 1892, opposing the p...
I hope you enjoyed that look at the McKinley Tariffs and the impact on Canada.

If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇


*sources in next post*

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More from @CraigBaird

Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 15
In pre-colonial Canada, the First Nations established many prominent settlements.
Two of the most famous were Hochelaga and Stadacona, located on the sites of Montreal and Quebec City.
These two villages were home to nearly 4,000 people.
This is their story.

🧵 1/9 Overhead view of a detailed scale model showing a circular fortified settlement surrounded by a wooden palisade wall. Inside the enclosure, numerous long, oval-shaped bark-covered longhouses are arranged across an open central area. Narrow pathways run between the buildings, and small figures are placed throughout the village. Outside the palisade, dense forest with green, yellow, and red foliage surrounds the site, suggesting an autumn landscape.
It is not known when Hochelaga first appeared.
Historians believe the village was established at some point between 1200 CE and 1500 CE. The village apparently sat at the base of Mount Royal, and was surrounded by farmland.

🧵2/9 Historical illustration showing a gathering of Indigenous people and European men near a wooden structure in a village setting. In the foreground, a woman wearing a long patterned garment bends toward a small child standing beside her. To the right, a man stands on a ladder leaning against a wooden wall while another woman stands nearby. In the middle distance, a European man in a blue coat holds a flag with white cross symbols while other men stand behind him carrying flags and staffs. Around them, numerous Indigenous men and women stand or walk through the scene, many wearing traditional ...
The size of the village varied by the time of year. When Jacques Cartier arrived in 1535 it had between 1000 and 3000 people.
Within the village there was at least 50 homes, according to Cartier.
Each home measured 15 metres in length and 3.5-4.5 metres in width.

🧵3/9 Colour historical illustration depicting a meeting between European explorers and an Indigenous community in a large village. In the foreground, a bearded European man in armor kneels and speaks with an Indigenous man seated on the ground while other Indigenous men sit nearby watching. Behind them stand European soldiers in helmets and armor holding flags and weapons. The background shows rows of longhouses enclosed by a tall wooden palisade, with many people gathered throughout the settlement. Forested hills rise in the distance under a pale sky.
Read 10 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 15
There is a unique dialect of the Irish language that evolved in Newfoundland and became forever linked with the island.
It is called Newfoundland Irish and many work to keep the language alive.
This is the story.

🧵 1/7 Coastal landscape showing several red wooden buildings scattered across grassy terrain near the water. A small red house with white trim stands in the foreground on the right, while additional red sheds and houses sit farther back along the shoreline. Wooden fences run through the grass, and a couple of small white boats rest upside down on the ground. In the distance, more houses line the opposite side of the inlet under a clear sky with warm evening light.
Irish immigrants arrived on the island to work in the late-1600s. Over the next 200 years, the Irish language was used heavily on the island, and became its own dialect. Church services were even done in Newfoundland Irish on the island.

🧵2/7 Black and white engraving showing a crowded dockside scene with dozens of men, women, and children gathered near a large steamship. People wear 19th-century clothing including shawls, long skirts, coats, and brimmed hats. In the foreground, a woman bends toward a small child beside a basket while another woman holds a baby. A young boy sits on the ground holding a bundle. Around them, families stand with bags, baskets, and crates of belongings. In the background, more people cluster along the dock with the ship’s masts, rigging, and smokestack rising above the crowd.
Irish poet Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Commara sailed around the island and used Newfoundland Irish in his Irish language poems. By the 1780s, the Irish were the dominant ethnic group of St. John's and by 1815, 19,000 Irish lived in Newfoundland.

🧵3/7 Illustrated coastal scene showing a small settlement beside a narrow inlet. In the foreground, a small house with a fenced yard stands near several wooden sheds and simple buildings along the shoreline. Wooden fences run across grassy slopes leading down to the water. A sailing ship sits in the inlet with its masts leaning slightly, while steep hills rise on both sides of the harbour. Scattered houses and structures appear along the hillside, and a small fort-like building stands on a distant point overlooking the water. The scene is rendered in muted tones with soft shading and fine line d...
Read 8 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 11
Father David Bauer loved the game of hockey.
A gifted player, he turned down playing pro hockey to become a priest.
But hockey never left him.
He mentored many players and created Canada's men's national hockey team program.
This is his story.

🧵 1/12 Father David Bauer stands facing the camera against a plain backdrop, smiling while holding a large hockey trophy mounted on a wide wooden base. He wears a dark clerical suit with a white Roman collar. The trophy has two ornate handles and a central cup, with small hockey player figurines positioned on the base near the front. Numerous engraved plaques are attached around the wooden base beneath the cup.
David Bauer was born on Nov. 2, 1924 in Waterloo, Ontario. The youngest 11 children, his family loved hockey. His brother Bobby went on to play in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. David hoped to one day play in the NHL.

🧵 2/12 A young Father David Bauer posed for a studio portrait, facing the camera with a neutral expression. He has short, neatly combed dark hair parted to one side. He wears a hockey sweater with a large block letter “M” on the chest and darker sleeves. The background is a softly blurred studio backdrop.
When he was 15, he attended a training camp for the Boston Bruins. They offered him a contract to play for their farm team but he turned it down as his father believed he was too young and needed a proper education. While attending school, he kept playing hockey.

🧵 3/12 Father David Bauer sits on a hockey bench during a game, leaning forward with his chin resting on his gloved hand. He wears a dark jacket and looks out toward the ice with a focused expression. Several players sit beside and behind him, and a hockey stick stands upright near the front of the bench. The background shows a crowded rink with spectators and players visible beyond the boards.
Read 13 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 7
On Aug. 17, 1923, the 71-branch Home Bank of Canada failed.
Faced with public outcry over constant bank failures, the government acted.
Since 1923, two Canadian banks have failed, while 17,000 have failed in the USA.
This is the story of Home Bank of Canada

🧵 1/12 A black-and-white photograph shows a group of men standing in front of a small wooden building with a sign reading “HOME BANK OF CANADA” above the entrance. The building has large front windows and a simple rectangular structure. Several men stand in a row near the doorway while one man sits on the ground in front. They wear early 20th-century clothing such as shirts with suspenders, jackets, and hats. Pieces of wood and debris lie scattered on the ground in the foreground, and open land with a few structures appears in the background.
For the first half century of Canada's existence, the only safeguard that customers had with their banks was the competency of management and the hope that assets covered deposits. It was not a good system and by 1923, 40% of Canadian banks had failed.

🧵 2/12 A long line of people stands along the sidewalk outside a bank building on a city street. The crowd, made up of men and women wearing coats, hats, and long dresses typical of the early 20th century, stretches past the corner of the building. Large windows and stone walls frame the entrance, where signage related to the bank is posted on the glass. Streetcar tracks run along the road in the foreground, and two utility poles stand near the curb. The photograph is in black and white and shows the line extending around the corner as people wait outside the bank.
Finance Minister W.S. Fielding, who assumed the post in 1896, saw nine bank failures by 1910. Many Canadians, and even industry leaders like H.C. McLeod, the GM of the Bank of Nova Scotia, wanted to have government inspections to prevent fraud in Canada's banks.

🧵 3/12 A black-and-white studio portrait of a middle-aged man with short light-colored hair and a full mustache with a small pointed beard. He faces slightly to the left while looking toward the camera. He wears a dark suit jacket, a white shirt, and a patterned tie. The background is softly blurred, creating a faded vignette around the edges typical of early studio photography.
Read 13 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 6
Every Canadian province and territory has a capital.
The names of those capitals come from many different sources.
Sometimes it is royalty, and sometimes it is an Indigenous name.
Here is how each capital received its name.

🧵 1/15 A simplified map of Canada showing the country divided into its provinces and territories, each shaded in different pastel colours. The large northern territory of Nunavut occupies much of the Arctic region with numerous islands extending into the surrounding ocean. The provinces stretch across the southern part of the country from British Columbia on the Pacific coast to the Atlantic provinces in the east. The surrounding oceans are coloured blue, while neighbouring land areas outside Canada are shown in gray.
Victoria, British Columbia:

The site the city sits on was called Camosack by the local Indigenous, meaning "rush of water". In 1843, Fort Albert was founded but it was soon after renamed to Fort Victoria in honour of Queen Victoria.

🧵 2/15 A waterfront view of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings in Victoria at dusk. The large historic building with a central dome and smaller domes is outlined with rows of decorative lights. In the foreground is the Inner Harbour, where sailboats and small boats are moored at docks with tall masts rising above them. Wooden kiosks and walkways line the water’s edge, and flags hang along the harbor promenade. A tall evergreen tree stands on the lawn in front of the parliament building, while warm lights reflect off the calm water.
Edmonton, Alberta:

The Cree called the area amiskwacîy (Beaver Hills). The current name comes from Edmonton, Middlesex, England, which was the hometown of the Lake family. The Lake family were influential in the Hudson's Bay Company.

🧵 3/15 Image
Read 15 tweets
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx Profile picture
Mar 1
When John Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow, he announced that Canada would purchase 56 Bomarc Missiles from the USA.
When the public learned the missiles were only effective if tipped with nuclear warheads.
it sparked the Bomarc Missile Crisis.
This is the story.

🧵 1/12 A white missile is mounted upright on a pedestal outdoors against a blue sky. The plane is displayed vertically with its nose pointed upward and its wings extended horizontally. Roundels with a red maple leaf inside a blue circle are visible on each wing. Low industrial-style buildings with flat roofs stand behind the aircraft.
During the Cold War in 1957, Canada and the United States created NORAD to handle continental air defence against the Soviet Union. As part of NORAD obligations, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker Canada was pressured to put Bomarc missiles on its soil.

🧵 2/12 Black-and-white photograph of John Diefenbaker seated at a desk in an office. He wears a dark suit, white shirt, and tie, with a folded pocket square visible. He holds an open book or document in both hands and looks toward the camera with a serious expression. Papers, notebooks, and writing instruments are arranged on the desk, along with glass inkwells and a pen holder. A telephone sits to one side. Behind him, a fireplace with a decorative mantel and a closed door are visible.
The plan was to have the missiles deployed near La Macaza, Quebec and North Bay, Ontario. Both sites would have storage and launch facilities, and quarters for US personnel. Diefenbaker's plan was to have the missiles replace the Avro Arrow program.

🧵 3/12 Black-and-white photograph showing a missile mounted vertically outdoors with their noses pointed upward. The missile displays Royal Canadian Air Force roundels with a maple leaf inside a circle on the wings, and the letters “RCAF” are visible along the fuselage. The planes are positioned on pedestals behind low, flat-roofed structures. A tall flagpole stands between the buildings, and the sky above is overcast.
Read 13 tweets

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