Annexation Association

Annexation Association

Annexation Association, founded 1849 to promote Canada-US political union. In October and December it published 2 versions of the "Annexation Manifesto." Most of those who signed it were from the powerful English-speaking business community in Montréal and Québec and the French Canadian radical nationalist movement led by Louis-Joseph Papineau. The businessmen were disappointed at Britain's abolition of preferential duties on Canadian lumber, wheat and flour products and by its decision to consent to the Rebellion Losses Bill; the nationalists were republicans who preferred American political institutions. Strongly opposed by the British American League and by followers of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, the movement died out after the 1854 Reciprocity Treaty was signed.