Treaty of Washington

What it is

This is the Treaty of Washington, signed on 8 May 1871 between the United Kingdom and the United States, settling disputes including the Alabama Claims, fishing rights, and a boundary dispute. It was signed in Washington, D.C. by a joint commission that included British and American representatives, among them Canadian Prime Minister John A. Macdonald.

Why it matters

Macdonald's presence on the British delegation was historic: it marked the first time Canada took part directly in negotiating a treaty affecting it, even though the treaty was signed in Britain's name. Macdonald was unhappy that Canadian interests, especially over fishing rights, were sacrificed to secure peace between Britain and the United States, but he could not openly resist as a junior delegate. He later revealed he had secretly secured extra concessions, including money and a railway loan, turning an unpopular treaty into a political win.

Look closer

• Why might Macdonald have agreed to sign a treaty he privately disliked?
• What does the treaty's language suggest about whose interests mattered most to the negotiators?
• How did Macdonald later use secrecy and negotiation skill to turn criticism into a political success?