What was the outcome of the 1870 talks between British Columbia and Canada?

• A. Independence from Canada
• B. No agreement reached
• C. Agreement to join Confederation
• D. Annexation by the United States

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is why British Columbia decided to become part of Canada and what was promised in the deal. In 1870, BC and the federal government negotiated over whether BC would join Confederation and under what conditions. BC wanted a secure future with a railway link to the east and protection for its debt and interests. Canada wanted to complete a transcontinental railway and ensure western expansion.

The outcome of those talks was an agreement for British Columbia to enter Confederation, with the federal government promising to build a transcontinental railway to the Pacific and to assume a portion of BC’s debt. This is why the correct understanding is that BC agreed to join Confederation. It wasn’t independence, there wasn’t a failure to reach an agreement, and it certainly wasn’t annexation by the United States.