Important People, Groups, and Events



Important People, Groups, Laws, Terminology and Events

Outline the importance, achievements, or significance of the following:

|Royal Proclamation 1763 |A British document confirming Aboriginal title to lands west of the Mississippi River. |

| |Intent of Royal Proclamation was to make the people of Quebec ‘British’ through assimilation |

| |Under British rule in Quebec, British laws were to be enforced and the (French) Canadiens and/or |

| |the Aboriginal peoples were strongly encouraged to adopt British customs and religion, the English |

| |language |

| |It created a large ‘Indian Territory’ by limiting the boundaries of Quebec and the British colonies|

| |along the coast. |

|Assimilation |the process through which one culture is absorbed into another |

|The Quebec Act (1774) |To gain the loyalty of the Canadiens, the British Gov’t changed its policy and passed this act. |

| |The Canadiens would be allowed to maintain the French character of Quebec. |

| |The aim of the Quebec Act was to strengthen the British Empire by allowing Quebec to remain both |

| |British and French. |

| |The Boundaries of Quebec were enlarged to include more rich fur-producing areas. |

| |The Quebec Act allowed: |

| |the French language, |

| |the Roman Catholic religion, |

| |the seigneurial land holding system, |

| |and the French civil law to continue. |

| |Quebec would be ruled by the British-appointed Governor and his appointed council |

|Constitution Act 1791 |The legal document that created upper and lower Canada |

| |Each Colony was given an elected Legislative Assembly. This meant that they had a form of |

| |representative government. (where citizens elect people who represent them in their Legislative |

| |assembly/decision-making body) |

| |See diagram of government structure according to the Colonial Government Structure Chart. |

|Great Migration |1815-1850-thousands of Irish, Scottish & English Immigrants, much of the land cleared in Upper and |

| |Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI, further development of farming, fishing and the |

| |fur trade, towns slowly built |

| |The largest percentage of these immigrants were Irish and the majority chose to settle in Upper |

| |Canada. |

| |A number settled in the eastern townships of Lower Canada south of the St. Lawrence River. This |

| |area had been set aside for English-speaking farmers. Many new comers also settled in Montreal, |

| |and in Atlantic colonies. |

|Loyalist |Americans who did not support the American Revolution, many of whom moved to the British colonies |

|Absentee Landlord |A person who owns and rents out a property, but does not live in the region |

|Land speculators |Those who buy property at a low price and sell it at a higher price, usually without spending much |

| |of their own money |

|estates |A tract of land often covering thousands of hectares, owned by one person |

|tenant famers |Someone who farms land owned by someone else, keeping part of the produce as payment |

|class system |A society in which those born into privileged groups have rights and advantages that others do not |

|coffin ship |A death ship; disease and death were common on cargo vessels used to carry passengers at this time |

|steerage |The area below decks on a ship, used to store cargo |

|The Family Compact |was made up of influential and wealthy, upper class citizens |

| |an elite group who controlled government in Upper Canada |

| |Members made up most of the Executive Council in Upper Canada, and had control over government |

| |budgets and appointments. |

|The Chateau Clique |was an aristocratic group in Lower Canada. Members had much wealth, and influenced government |

| |decisions |

| |the wealthy elite who controlled Lower Canada, mostly made of English speaking merchants |

|Irish Immigrant |A person who left Ireland and migrated to Canada during the mid-1800s, typically because of the |

| |Potato Famine and related hardships |

|African American Immigrant |A person who was first abducted from Africa to work in the US cotton fields. These people later |

| |left the United States due to slavery in the southern states. |

|The Underground Railroad |was a network of secret trails and pathways that Black American slaves used to escape north to |

| |Canada where they could begin new lives. With the help of anti-slavery families and Black activists|

| |such as Harriet Tubman, thousands of slaves were able to escape |

|Responsible government |A government subject to the votes of the people |

|Representative government |A government made up of officials elected to office by the people |

|Oligarchy |Rule by a small, select group of people |

|Veto |To stop with authority |

|Deficit |A situation where there is more spending than income |

|Nationalism |Devotion to the support of one’s culture and nation, sometimes resulting in the promotion of |

| |independence |

|William Lyon Mackenzie |wanted to reform the government and the land-owning system of Upper Canada. He published articles |

| |that criticized the government and the Family Compact. He felt that the upper class had too much |

| |power, and that the concerns of the majority were being ignored. He wanted the colonies to adopt a |

| |more democratic style of government, one similar to that in the US. He was elected into the |

| |Legislative Assembly in 1828 and became leader of the Reform Movement. |

|Louis-Joseph Papineau |was the leader of the radical reformers in Lower Canada. |

| |He spoke out on three issues: discrimination against the French, unequal taxation, and lack of |

| |power within the government. He became a leader in the rebellions of 1837. |

|The Patriotes/Sons of Liberty |the radical more militant group of Lower Canada reformers, led by Louis Joseph Papineau |

| |in French the name is, “Fils de la Liberte” |

|insurrection |Taking up arms against the government |

|The Rebellions of 1837 |consisted of uncoordinated revolts in Upper Canada and Lower Canada by settlers who felt the |

| |government was unfair and unrepresentative. Both revolts failed; the leaders fled into exile. |

|Sir Francis Bond Head |was appointed as governor of Upper Canada in 1836. He supported the power of the Family Compact, |

| |dissolved the Legislative Assembly, and won an election by advocating loyalty to Britain. |

|Lord Durham |was appointed governor-in chief of the Canadas by the British government. |

| |He was ordered to investigate why the Rebellions of 1837 occurred and to provide solutions that |

| |would ensure peace in the future. He was seen as a dictator and was not liked, even by the upper |

| |class. He recommended that the colonies be joined together and given a responsible government. |

|Durham Report |Upon his return to Britain from investigating the Rebellions, he wrote his "Report on |

| |the Affairs of British North America," which became |

| |known as the Durham Report. |

| | |

| |Durham made two major recommendations in his report: |

| |1. The two colonies of Upper and Lower Canada |

| |should become one colony called the United Province |

| |of Canada. |

| |2. The new united colony should have responsible |

| |government. |

Main Ideas and Concepts

1. a) Describe the political issues and problems in Upper Canada during the early nineteenth Century.

Upper Canada was controlled by a colonial government.

Power was placed in the hands of a small group of rich and influential men (oligarchy). Britain appointed a governor to control the oligarchy; however, in reality, it was the oligarchy that held the most power. The colony had an elected law-making assembly, known as the Legislative Assembly. The governor had two councils, the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, made up of members of the Family Compact. These councils could veto any laws proposed by the Legislative Assembly.

b) Identify the problems that led to demands for changes in those structures.

There was a serious issue of land and roads that was not being addressed by the government. Due to land speculators, absentee landlords, and crown and clergy reserves, there was very little land available. Whatever was available, was more expensive than it should have been.

Look for some of the following points:

• members of the Legislative Assembly were frustrated because their concerns could be vetoed by the councils (the Family Compact);

• the Assembly wanted the government to spend money on projects, such as schools and roads, that would benefit ordinary people, and also wanted land reform;

• and the councils did not share these interests, and focused on the concerns of the upper class.

2. a) Describe the political and social issues in Lower Canada, and comment on how they differed from those in Upper Canada.

Look for some of the following points:

• control of Lower Canada was in the hands of an oligarchy (Chateau Clique) that included merchants and ex-army officers;

• the highest social class in French Canadian society was made up of seigneurial families and the Church;

• the majority of the colonists made up the lowest group in French-speaking society, who faced much discrimination and lack of opportunity under the current government rule

b) Identify the issues that led to the call for changes in Lower Canada.

French Canadians were upset because English Canadians, who made up only a fraction of Lower Canada's population, had greater political and social privileges. The French Canadians were afraid that the government was trying to assimilate their culture, and faced economic and political discrimination, unequal taxation, and lack of power within the government.

3. Discuss the nature of the new wave of immigrants and the risks they had to make to reach Canada.

immigrants were attracted by the promise of cheap and fertile land that was available near towns and markets; immigrants from Europe had to pay a great deal of money for passage and also risked death from the grim conditions aboard the "coffin" ships; and many Black Americans fled to Canada to escape slavery in the US-Canada offered them freedom, a chance to start a new life, and free land in exchange for their loyalty to Britain.

4. Outline the characteristics of Colonial Government, and account for how these characteristics led to the 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada.

In Colonial Government, a governor is appointed by the mother country to maintain political order in the colony. In Upper Canada, the governor used two appointed councils of rich and influential aristocrats. Below was the Legislative Assembly, made up of ordinary people. The governor's councils had the power to veto any law proposed by the Legislative Assembly.

Settlers wanted the government to spend money on roads and schools, and they also wanted land reform. These concerns did not interest members of the

Family Compact, who vetoed the peoples' proposals. Settlers rebelled in the hope that they could establish a better government.

5. What task did the British government ask Lord Durham to undertake in the Canadas.

Lord Durham, a British reformer, was appointed by the British government to study the cause of the 1837 Rebellions and to make recommendations on how to avoid future rebellions.

6. Was Lord Durham's report an appropriate response to the conditions he found in the Canadas? Explain.

Opinions will vary on what was considered fair. Consider the following:

Unfair-The French thought that Lord Durham's proposal to unite the colonies was unfair because they would be forced to assimilate into English culture.

Fair-Lord Durham believed that Canada should have its own democratic government. He proposed that the councils should be made up of elected members from the House of Assembly rather than appointed members of the Family Compact.

Comprehension

1. List the economic activities that occurred in Eastern Canada in the early nineteenth century.

Examples of economic activity in this period included:

• farming,

• fur trading,

• fishing, and

• shipbuilding.

2a. Why was social class so important, even in a colony like Canada? b. Describe the differences between the classes. Explain how and why these differences contributed to unrest in the colony.

Although class differences were not as strong in Canada as they were in Europe, the upper class still believed itself to be superior. Members of the upper class made up most of the Executive Council, and had control over government budgets and appointments.

Members of the upper class were land speculators, and profited by selling land at incredibly high prices. They also held much more power in government.

Members of the lower class were often in debt to these speculators. The lower class had a Legislative Assembly that could address their concerns, but the Family Compact could veto any proposal. The Family Compact and the government ignored proposals to construct better roads and schools and to reform the land system. Frustration led to unrest among the lower class.

3.How did the grievances of Upper Canada differ from those of Lower Canada?

Lower Canada did not have the land problems experienced by Upper Canada, except in the Eastern Townships. However, Lower Canada had a more serious political problem. Power was in the hands of a small group who listened more to concerns of English Canadians.

Reformers in Lower Canada wanted to reduce the power of the Chateau Clique. They felt that the government had plans to assimilate the French into the English culture. French Canadian farmers opposed the government's attempt to raise land tax. Discrimination, unequal taxation, and lack of power within the government were the concerns of reformers in Lower Canada.

4.Briefly outline the course of the 1837 Rebellion.

a. In Upper Canada; and

b. In Lower Canada

a) 1837 Rebellion in Upper Canada

Mackenzie spent much time organizing resistance to the government. He planned to take over the arsenal in Toronto and capture Governor Bond Head. Mackenzie did not have much support from other radicals, but still decided to march towards the arsenal. Faced with opposition, the rebels, who had little experience fighting, retreated. They were defeated at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern.

b) 1837 Rebellion in Lower Canada

When the British government denied the rights of the Legislative Assembly, the Patriotes (rebels,) led by Louis-Joseph Papineau, rose against the government.

The Rebellion of 1837 began with the attempted arrest of Papineau, who fled to Montreal. There were a series of skirmishes at St. Denis, St. Charles, and Ste. Eustache. The British troops defeated the Patriote forces quickly.

5a. In your own opinion, why were the rebellions not successful? b) What happened to the leaders? c) Why did punishment in Lower Canada seem harsher?

Answers might include some of the following points:

a) The rebels and their leaders were not very experienced in combat. The Rebellions were not coordinated. In Lower Canada, the Catholic Church convinced many people to remain loyal to Britain. In Upper Canada, many radicals decided not to get involved in the Rebellion of 1837-Mackenzie had less support than he had anticipated.

b) Mackenzie and Papineau escaped to the US; most of the other leaders were arrested. These leaders were hanged or transported to prison colonies.

c) The French uprising was seen as a greater threat to British rule than the Rebellion in Upper Canada. French Canadians would have seen the punishments as a further attack on French Canada's rights. The constitution of Lower Canada was suspended, and French Canadians were denied a voice in government until 1843.

5. Why was Lord Durham an appropriate choice to investigate the situation? Explain your reasoning.

Reasons why Lord Durham was not an appropriate choice:

• he was British;

• he was not concerned with French interests;

• even the English upper class did not support his presence-they saw him as a dictator flaunting British power;

• and he recommended that the colonies be united. To the French Canadians, this brought the threat of assimilation.

Reasons why he was appropriate:

• he was reform-minded; and

• he proposed that the colonies should have a responsible government made up of elected members who were loyal to Britain.

6. a) What was the British government’s response to Durham’s report? b) Why did the British Government not fully implement his recommendations?

a. The British government rejected Lord Durham's proposal to establish a responsible government. It did agree to unite the colonies.

b. It was in Britain's best interest to unite the colonies. Administering a single colony would be cheaper and easier. Road and canal construction would also be easier. Britain was not ready to give the colonies too much power, however, because it feared losing them as it had lost the US.

8. a) What was the Act of Union (1841)? b) What was it significance?

The significance of the Act of Union:

a) The Act of Union (1841) untied Upper and Lower Canada to form 1 colony, with Montreal as its capital. Upper and Lower Canada ceased to exist. The colony of Canada would now be run by 1 government, 1 Legislative Assembly, and with English being recognized as the official language.

b) Significance for English Canadians: This Act marked the beginning of an official process of trying to abolish a French presence in the colonies. By outlawing French in the Legislative Assembly, the English were not only sending a clear message about who was in charge, but they were extinguishing French culture and language from the colony.

Significance for French Canadians: This Act signified that they were the victims of discrimination, and thus it united them. The Act launched them on a journey that would call them to embrace and sustain their culture with increasing national pride.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download