Introduction to Canada 1837-1840:

Question 1

What treaty meant the British got all of the new France colonies?

Answer 1

1763 Peace of Paris.

Question 2

What Act created the government system of Upper and Lower Canada?

Answer 2

1791 Constitution Act.

Question 3

Briefly describe the differences between lower and upper Canada:

Answer 3

Upper Canada had a largely British population whereas Lower Canada was mostly French settlers. They had different languages and social systems.

Question 4

How did Upper Canada change throughout the 1820s?

Answer 4

Immigration through loyalists from USA and in 1825 the Canada Company was created to help develop the province.

Question 5

Describe political situation of Upper Canada:

Answer 5

Lieutenant Governor who was reliant on legislative assembly and a council who had executive power alongside the Governor.

Question 6

Could the executive council members be removed by the lieutenant governor?

Answer 6

Yes - but some could stay on for life which created the Family Compact.

Question 7

What representation was there in the LA?

Answer 7

They mostly represented the interests of middle class landowners.

Question 8

What powers did legislative council have?

Answer 8

They could block some laws passed by the LA.

Question 9

Name the 3 characteristics of the Family Compact:

Answer 9

Very loyal to Britain, very Anglican and their reluctance to change anything about the constitution which would weaken their grip on power.

Question 10

Describe land ownership in UC:

Answer 10

1/7 of all land was for Clergy reserves with profits going to Anglican Church. Most land was held by the crown and judged to be lent to settlers.

Question 11

What was the main religion in UC?

Answer 11

Baptist and Methodist.

Question 12

What was the significance of the Clergy Reserves?

Answer 12

This was contentious amongst non-Anglicans as it adhered only to Anglicans. Reform was not possible as it was blocked by family compact.

Question 13

Summarise the tensions in UC:

Answer 13

Mostly came from the Family Compact - very little population (350k) to raise revenue from as they lacked money from investment in canals and roads. Instead of working with the LA to handle this issue, they resolved to selling land to the Canada Company and this money was mostly used to pay salaries of the officials.

Question 14

What were Reformers?

Answer 14

Member of the LA who wished for more economic and political control of the province rather than it being solely controlled by the Family Compact e.g. Robert Baldwin.

Question 15

What did Reformers want by the term ‘Responsible Government’?

Answer 15

Initially it was for the removal of the Family Compact, but as things progressed they made more claims for constitutional change - responsible to voters in Canada rather than interests in London.

Question 16

Describe the Land Ownership system in Lower Canada:

Answer 16

Land was granted to a Seigneur who would then in turn grant land to tenants for farming in turn for rent. This was protected by contracts and was overseen by the state.

Question 17

What percentage of LC population lived under Seigneurial system?

Answer 17

Around 80%.

Question 18

What was the Quebec Act 1774?

Answer 18

1774, Incorporated New France into the Empire and guaranteed religious freedoms to the French, free practice of Catholicism and practice of French Civil Law for disputes

Question 19

What caused racial tensions in LC?

Answer 19

Influx of British settlers caused racial tensions as French were strongly tied to their culture which was exacerbated by the fact that the members elected to executive council were mostly loyalists - language spoken in LA was English rather than French.

Question 20

What was an example of the extent of racial tensions?

Answer 20

After rural stagnation in LC, the British tried to unite UC and LC in 1822 but LC strongly opposed this as it would create and English majority. This opposition became known as the Patriotes.

Question 21

Chateau Clique:

Answer 21

British oligarchy of successful businessmen chosen by Governors.

Question 22

What was the significance of Dalhousie in LC in regards to increasing tensions?

Answer 22

He acted as governor 1820-1828. He caused the assembly to refuse to vote on payment of officials and had prorogued the assembly in 1827 as he refused to recognise a Patriote as speaker of the house.
-His petition to be expelled was signed by 87k.

Question 23

What was the possible motivation behind the Quebec Act 1774?

Answer 23

To prevent resentment amongst French Canadians and to avoid a repeat of the American Revolution.

Question 24

What was the possible motivation behind the 1791 Constitution?

Answer 24

It gave the LA financial autonomy to prevent a repeat of British invasiveness of taxation in the USA.