Build up to Upper Canadian Revolt Flashcards
Origins of Canadian revolt
- Peace of Paris
- AWOI
- Constitution of 1791
- Creation of Upper and Lower Canada
When and what was the Peace of Paris?
1763 - Ceded New France to Britain, Britain had siezed Quebec in 1756.
How did the AWOI set up the Canadian revolt?
After 1783 many loyalist were evacuated to Canada, mainly to Upper Canada
What was the constitution of 1791?
Political representation for French and protected French people’s religious rights as catholics.
What was Upper and Lower Canada?
- Upper Canada - Traditionally British
- Lower Canada - Traditionally French
- Different land tenure systems, religion and political systems but ruled under one govenor.
What happened in Upper Canada in 1825?
Moved from land grants to land auction.
What was Structure of Upper Canadian society?
- Lieutenant Governor and Council ran colony - not accountable to locally elected assembly.
- Council made up heavily of family compact.
- Locally elected assembly elected by large franchise.
- Anglican Church was prevalent part of family compact, owned 1/7 of land in Canada.
- Crown owned land and made money by selling it.
How did Colbourne increase the population and by how much?
Increased population by 70% by initiating an organised system of immigration to bring in settlers from Britain.
How else did Colbourne aid the colony?
- Expanded communication and transportation infrastructure through a campaign to build roads and bridges, funded by raising taxes/selling land.
- Brought changes to legislative council, increased fiscal autonomy and encouraged greater independence in the judiciary.
What did Colbourne do to anger legislative assembly?
Founded Upper Canada college, bypassing the legislative assembly who were calling for a university which would’ve increased social mobility.
What was the family compact?
Elite group, headed by governor, which included Business, the Church and Army who formed the government.
What problems with Democratic deficit did the political structure cause?
Family Compact formed government and the legislative assembly, which was voted for by public, could be ignored. The Family Compact would be largely self-serving and thus tension was caused as they failed to improve the colony.
What Impact did the Democratic Deficit have?
- Long term cause of rebellion.
- Decisions made by council often annoyed assembly.
- Council bypassed assembly to create funds through taxation
- Revenue raised by selling land was used to pay officials the assembly disliked
Context of the appointment of Sir Francis Bond-Head?
- Lacked CV of predicessors, step up from local politics to Colonial Governor was big.
- Given role because he was not associated with government or council, may make Canadians happy.
- First act was to appoint Baldwin to council - hoped would appease reformers.
Impact of appointment of Sir Francis Bond-Head?
- Baldwin called for ‘Responsible Government’ which was rejected.
- This led to his resign and travel to London to speak to Lord Glenelg .
- Bond-Head interfered in 1836 elections to get compact members on legislative assembly instead of reformers.
- Mackenzie left with no one to challenge radical views.
What laws did the assembly pass after it became pro-council?
- A law now extended the period between elections which normally took place 6 months after the death of a monarch.
- Law to prevent members of legislature sitting on council.
How did 1836 election worsen situation?
- Bond-Head’s interference and passed laws angered Reformists.
- Mackenzie became more vocal in opposition.
- Democratic Deficit widened.
When was the collapse of the International Financial System?
1832
What was the collapse of the International Financial System?
- Depression was caused after Andrew Jackson vetoed bill for refinancing second bank of the US.
Context of collapse of International Finance System in Upper Canada
- This was worsened in Upper Canada by bad wheat harvests in 1836 and farmers couldn’t pay debts.
- Bank of Upper Canada suspended payments after July 1837 and recieved financial support while ordinary farmers and poor did not.
Impact of collapse of International Finance System in Upper Canada
- 1/5 of British immigrants to Upper Canada were impoverished. Immigrant farmers lacked capital to pay for purchased land.
- Debt collection laws allowed them to be jailed indefinitely.
What law did the legislative assembly pass in relation to the collapse of the Internation Finance System and when?
March 1837 - Cheaper to sue farmers by allowing city merchants to sue in middle of harvest, reformers and ordinary citizens had no say.
William Lyon Mackenzie
- Born in Dundee, Scotland in 1795
- Both grandfathers fought for Clan MacKenzie at Battle of Culloden in 1745 - detests English.
- Elected onto legislative council for York County in Canada
How did the Upper Canadian Revolt begin?
- 6th November 1837 the Quebecois Patriotes started their revolt in Montreal.
- Bond-Head sent reinforcements from his garrison which left Upper Canada vulnerable.
Why was Canada so far down the political agenda?
- 1832 Reform Act
- 1833 Slavery Abolition Act
- 1833 Factory Act banning children from working more than 12 hours a day
- Houses of Parliament burnt down in October 1834
- Accession Crisis of 1836-37 - William IV was dying and if he died before Victoria turned 18 then a regency crisis would be triggered.
Long term causes of Upper Canadian Revolt?
- AWOI
- Democratic Deficit
- 7 Years War
Short term causes of Upper Canadian Revolt?
- Actions taken by Colbourne
- International Financial Crash
- Actions taken by Bond-Head
- William Lyon MacKenzie
