Canada

Question 1

Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada WERE caused by common causes

Answer 1

• Family Compact/Chateau Clique (these are the non-elective legislative councils dominated by local oligarchies that controlled local trade and the insitutions of state and religion)
• Reformers in each province organized radical democratic “political unions” - (Upper: Toronto Political Union in July 1837 organised by William Lyon Mackenzie, Lower: the Patriots organised Societe des Fils de la Liberte [sons of liberty])
• 1822 plan to unite Lower and Upper Canada led to widespread opposition

Question 2

Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada WEREN’T caused by common causes

Answer 2

• Lower Canada rebellions been attributed to tensions between the English and the French -> conflict was ‘racial’ and therefore sharper than the milder strife that disturbed ‘English’ Upper Canada

Question 3

The Durham Report SUCCESSFULLY dealt with problems in Canada

Answer 3

• Economic problems dealt with (1820s economic downturn in Lower Canada and revenue raised by selling land was previously used to pay officials) - “Systematic Colonisation”: idea that land should be sold to immigrants at a reasonably high price, rather than being given away cheaply to boost economies
• Problems between the colonies - Legislation to unite the two colonies was passed 1839, Act of Union proclaimed in Montreal 10th Feb 1841

Question 4

The Durham Report DIDN’T deal with problems in Canada

Answer 4

• Swept away long held rights of French Canadians i.e. there had been no Lower Canadian assembly since 1838 and all opposition leaders were arrested or exile so Lower Canada could proved no tangible opposition to the Act of Union, freedoms granted by the Quabec Act were quashed

Question 5

Issues in Upper Canada regarding reform

Answer 5

• Early tensions:
  Strapped for cash but lacked infrastructure
  Were calls for responsible and cheap government and removal of family compact -> Robert Baldwin wrote to foreign secretary un 1836 asking for executive to be accountable to voters.
• Later tensions:
  Lietenant Governors - Colborne bypassed legilsative assmebly and paid officials using taxes, built an English Prep school rather than the University people wanted, allocated more money to anglican church

Question 6

Attitudes taken to refrom in Upper Canada

Answer 6

Broke out 9th October 1837 when Bond Head sent all British troops stationed in Toronto to help suppress it
Mackenzie hesitated to attack until December 7th in The Battle for Montgomerys Tavern - Bond Head’s force of about 1000 men and 1 cannon outnumbered the 400 rebels. Lasted about 15 minutes before rebels retreated
Rebellion spread but ultimately crushed