Canada Flashcards
What was political system like (top to bottom)
Governor
Appoints executive/ legislative council
- Family compact maintained control of councils, reluctant to change constitution that might loosen frip on power
P O L I T I C A L B A R R I E R
Legislative assembly responsible to voters
COuncil could block any laws passed though
What was the land system in Lower canada
Seigneur
land granted to seigneur (landlord) who would then give land grants to tenents to maintain the farm
Quebec Act
1774
Religious freedoms to French canadians guaranteed, french laws maintained in civil matters
Patriotes
Sought political reform to proect french identities
Tensions in Lower Canada parliament (4)
French canadians attachment to culture formed political block in assembly, quick to oppose any move by Chateau Clique
1822 proposed uniting canadas- quick opposition
French majority refused to vote money for payment of officials
Gov Dalhousie refused to accept patriot leader as speaker of house to prorogued assembky
Short term causes of the revolt in Upper canada? (4)
- Radical reformers
- Immigration
- Actions of Governors
- 1836 Election
How did Radical reformers cause the revolt in upper canada?
BaldwinL protested in London for removal of executibe council
MackenzieL Newspaper attacked by Family compact which aided reputation. Looked to US to seek independence,
led to abortive rebellion 1837
How did Immigration cause the revolt in upper canada?
Irish immigrants- v poor
Britain implemented Ops Township Scheme to provide temp shelters/ gov supplies
Reformers: objected to costs/ lack of consolutation with legislative assembly
Family COmpact: objected rise of immigrants who were unlikely to support their control
angry britain not listening
How did actions of governors cause the revolt in upper canada?
Colborne: Bypassed Leg Assembly by using tax revenues to pay officials/ set up english preparatory school instead of uni
Used income to firmly establish anglican church
HeadL Invited some moderates into executive committe then forced tgem out when they complained they hadnt been consulted
1836 election campaigned against reformers
Impact of 1836 election in cause the revolt in upper canada?
Head campaigned againt reformers, removing them from leg assembly
Refomers had no legal means to influence gov
Then Members from Legislative assembly prevented from ever serving on executive council so Family compact kept hold on gov
Rebellion only option
3 long term causes of rebellion in Upper Canada
- Political problems
- social problems
- Economic problems
how did political problems cause the rebellion in upper Canada?
Elected assembly basically had no power
Family COmpact used power to benefit themselbes
Avoided consulting assembly over money by selling land and using revenue to pay officials
ENtrenched Oligarchy- adherence to Anglicamn CHurch
Council could block laws
How did social problems cause the rebellion in upper Canada?
More non-conformers than anglicans yet anglicans held considerable influence- allocated clergy reserves
Migrants arriving demanding more political power
How did economic problems cause the rebellion in upper Canada?
Small population meant tax revenues low, insufficient money to reinvest in infrastructure
Instead of working with legislative assembly to raise taxes, got attempted to raise revenues by sidestepping them and denying the opportunity to influence province spending
Reformers unable to influence gov by refusing to vote money to pay salaries
Howick Act
Short-term causes of revolt in Lower Canada?
The patriots
Immigration
Economic problems
Godford COmmisison 1835
Russell Resolutions 1837
How did the patriots cause the revolt in Lower Canada?
Papineau committed to the retention of french culture/ nationalism
Adopted an uncompromising attitude to British, especially over financial matters
1834 92 Resolutions demanded constitutional change (Not Independence)
How did immigration cause the revolt in Lower Canada?
Rising immigration led to greater pressure on land as agriculture stagnated
The Cholera Epidemic of 1832 led to great suffering
-speculation British gov tryna kill French Canadians off
Belief british gov was trying to overwhelm them through immigration
How did economic problems cause the revolt in Lower Canada?
Papineau patriot party won more support from the poorer classes
Frustration over Howick Act 1831
How did the Gosford COmmision cause the revolt in Lower Canada?
1835
Commission set up to investigate grievances
Head released that the commission had no actual intention of introducing significant constitutional change
Caused outcry in LC
Reports didnt address key issues raised by patriots
How did the Russell Resolutions cause the revolt in Lower Canada?
1837
Rejected all 92 resolutions
Also announces state governors could use public funds without the consent of assemblies
Widespread unrest- boycotts etc
Frustrated nationalism
Evidence the rebellion WAS a threat in Upper Canada
40,000 may have joined the Hunters lodge secret society against the gov
At least 1000 supporters at peak
Secret societies, violent raids from US carried on after end
Evnidence the rebellion WASNT a threat in Upper Canads
December 1837 1000 men gathered for 4 days but were unclear about objectives
5th Dec- 100s Poorly armed/ organised revels but fled in small gunfire with British in a state of confusion
Only lasted from December- January
British constantly defeated rebels
Suppression was effective
Evidence the rebellion WAS a threat on Lower Canada
Had to suspend constitution/ martial law in Montreal
British knew they had to reorganise Canada in a way that the French-Canadians could no longer command a majority in any assembly, whilst also reining in the Chateau Clique who undeniably contributed to the situation
Lasted 3 monthgs byt sustained actions over a longer period
over 4000 rebels with more sympathisers
secret sociieties carries on after
Evidence rebellion in lower canada WASNT a threat?
Rebel leaders fled to US
Britain able to suppress it with military action
Easily defeated in battle
Attempted 2nd rebellion in Novemeber but eaisly suppressed
