The Charlottetown conference (1–9 Sept. 1864) was the first of three conferences that resulted in confederation in 1867. The American Civil War highlighted, among other issues, the need for a coordinated British North American defence policy. The Canadians invited themselves to the meeting in Charlottetown, originally held to discuss the political union of the Maritime provinces, and made a strong case for the union of all the provinces. After four days of secret discussions, the delegates reached broad agreement on the principles of confederation.
