Which economic factor contributed to Confederation by ending reciprocity with the United States?

• A. End of reciprocity with the United States
• B. End of free trade with Britain
• C. Trade barriers between colonies
• D. Need for railway to improve trade between colonies

Answer: (A)

Losing the free-trade arrangement with the United States put real economic pressure on the colonies. The Reciprocity Treaty had allowed goods like timber, grain, and fish to move across the border with low tariffs. When that free trade ended in the 1860s, markets grew more costly and uncertain for producers in British North America, and their economies became more vulnerable to tariffs and trade disruptions.

Facing a tougher economic outlook, the colonies saw a stronger incentive to join forces. Confederation offered a way to create a larger internal market, coordinate tariffs, and build nationwide infrastructure like a railway to lower transport costs and improve access to markets. In short, the end of reciprocity directly threatened economic stability and made union seem like the best path to secure trade and growth.

The other options describe related ideas, but they’re not the immediate trigger described here.