How significant was the Durham report in developing Britain's relationship with its colonies? Flashcards
When was the great reform act?
1832
What did the Great reform act do?
Increase the electorate from 366,000 to 650,000
Who was Lord Durham?
Went to Eton
Wealthy
Liberal wing of aristocratic whigs
Radical imperialist
When was Lord Durham appointed high commissioner to Canada?
15 January 1838 after refusing twice before
Who was Charles Buller?
Radical MP
Sympathetic to the Canadians
Advised Durham on the fate of prisoners
What did Charles Buller blame the lack of support on?
Durham’s failure to provide the government with info
What did Edward Wakefield do to go to prison?
Age 20 married a 16 year old and she left him £70,000
Age 30 married a 15 year old
How long did Wakefield go to prison for?
3 years
What policy did he come up with in prison?
Systematic colonisation
How was Wakefield’s involvement kept secret?
He was unpaid and unrecogised
What were Wakefield’s ideas?
Sale of land to encourage wealth
Taxation of land to raise money
Concentration of settlers
What did Wakefield advocate for?
Union of Canada
When did Durham arrive in Quebec?
May 1838
What did Durham promise to have?
A open mind and to be fair
What did Durham do went he arrived in Quebec?
Met with important political figures
Formed committees to get different ideas
Engaged with ordinary citizens
What happened to the prisoners that were found guilty?
8 were transported to Bermuda
What was the overall feeling in Canada?
Poor farming, conditions and harvests
Political tensions and bitterness
State od distress
Conflict between traditional French and modern British
Who began to denounce Durham?
Lord Brougham, said that Durham’s actions were illegal
Why did Lord Brougham think Durham’s actions were illegal?
Sent accuses, not trialed, men to exile
When did Durham resign?
9 October
What did the report on the affairs of British North America state?
Unification
Responsible self-government
Legislative assembly elected but party with majority would exercise power via a cabinet government
When was the report on the affairs of British North America?
1838
What was responsible government?
Settlers elected their own legislative
Ministers were responsible to the legislative
Responsible for economy and tax
What did Britain retain control over?
Foreign affairs and military
When was responsible government applied to the whole of Canada?
1858
What did the family compact do before?
Blockaded economic and social development
What did the family compact do after the responsible gov?
Colonial government were made responsible to the electorate rather than the governor/crown
What did Britain do in terms of the family compact?
Reduced the power of the family compact, stimulate colonial development, imperial connection with Britain and minimised American influence
Why were there radical divies?
Class struggle
How did Britain battle the racial divides?
French speaking and English speaking brought together to form an equal middle class
What was the Act of Union?
Equal representation of a single parliament
When was the Act of Union proclaimed?
10 February 1841
Response of the British Canadians to the unification?
Welcome by those in Lower Canada as they were a minority
Response of the French Canadians to the unification?
Concerns over it losening and destroying their culture and identity
When was New Zealand given responsible government?
Mid 1850s
When was the Cape given responsible government?
1872
When was NSW given responsible government?
1850
When was Western Australia given responsible government?
1890
What happened in South Africa in terms of fighting for independence?
Dutch speaking settlers in the interior
Boer wars
Where was self government never granted?
Jamaica or India
How were people treated in non-white colonies
Mutineers blown up
Massacres
Didn’t want them to seek independence
Who were not mentioned in the Durham report?
Native Americans
