EARL OF DURHAM’S REPORT (1939) Flashcards
What was Lord Durhams real name?
John George Lambton
What political party was he a member of, and what showed this?
He was a Whig (-originating from Scottish Presbyterian rebels and connoting non-conformity and rebellion) and, therefore, an advocate for reform. This is demonstrated as he was largely responsible for the passing of the Great Reform Act in 1782 and was an advocate for household suffrage in his early career.
What are two of Lord Durham’s nicknames?
The ‘man who saved the Empire’, and ‘radical Jack’.
What date did Lord Durham arrive in Canada, after being dispatched at the request of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (1834-41)?
May 1838
Why did Melbourne try to intervene with Durham’s choice of advisors?
Because they were controversial and provoked tensions. His chosen advisors included Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who’d abducted and married an heiress, for his own financial gain.
How long did Durham hold the role of High Commissioner, as the executive power, stationed in Quebec - a prominent area of Lower Canada?
4 and a half months
Who did Durham’s aides-de-camp meet extensively with, and why?
Canadians, including Robert Baldwin, to compile research for his report.
What did Durham have sent to him for review?
All of the depositions of the rebels.
What were Durham’s aims for appointing a Commission of Inquiry on Crown Lands and Emigration?
Aiming to improve the land tenure system in Lower Canada and recommending that land was no longer given freely to emigrants as the arrival of poor emigrants into the province had been a source of tension in both the Canadas.
Arguably, these recommendations came from Wakefield, who theorised what?
‘Systematic colonisation’, arguing that land should be sold to immigrants at a reasonably high price, rather than given freely or sold cheaply, in order to attract respectable colonists.
Who was Durham’s official secretary?
Charles Buller.
What was Buller the author of, and who was he sympathetic towards?
‘Responsible government for the colonies’, he was sympathetic to French-Canadian rebels.
Lord Brougham criticised Durham and his involvement in the report, saying what?
‘Wakefield thought it, Buller wrote and Durham signed it.’
Durham freed most of the political prisoners, however, it was Buller’s idea to do what with the most guilty? How did people feel about this?
Banish the most guilty, including Papineau, to Bermuda. Many were happy, believing that the punishment wasn’t too harsh.
However, how did Britain respond to the banishment?
In Britain, it was controversial, and the Bill of Indemnity was proposed, by Lord Brougham, against Durham, stating he’d acted illegally by banishing.
