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”
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He stated of annexation: "a grander and nobler brotherly love, that may unite in the end”
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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.
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Sir John A. Macdonald used the tariffs as a rallying cry in the 1891 election and was able to win another majority government.
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Produce and animal exports to Britain grew from $16 million to $24 million during that same period.
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“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.
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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.
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