The causes, events and results of the revolts in Upper and Lower Canada:

Question 1

What was the British’s solution to the building tensions in the Canadas?

Answer 1

They created the Canada Committee which was to assess reasons of tensions and report back.

Question 2

What did the committees initial report state in 1829?

Answer 2

Advised against amendment to 1791 constitution and that problems could be solved with the correct governor - upheld complaints with no advise for change

Question 3

Why did the British find it difficult to enact reform to Canada’s constitution in the later 1820s and 1830s?

Answer 3

The Whig Ministry was attempting parliamentary reform which was seen as a bigger issue than that of the tensions in Canada.

Question 4

What was the Howick Act 1831?

Answer 4

Transferred revenue from duties on Canadian goods into the control of the local assemblies. This was the governments attempt at reform in the Canadas to prevent the same issues of in the American Revolution.

Question 5

When was the revolt in UC and who led it?

Answer 5

1837 - led by William Lyon Mackenzie. More radical as he was attacked by ‘sons of the Family Compact’ in 1826 and was inspired by the American Revolution.

Question 6

What were the 4 short term causes of the UC revolt?

Answer 6

Emergence of radicalism in the reform party, concerns about emigrants from Britain, the actions of Colborne and Head and the results of the 1836 election.

Question 7

How did radical reformers lead to UC revolt?

Answer 7

The more moderate Robert Baldwin was in London protesting his removal from the executive council in 1837, so leadership was handed to William Lyon Mackenzie who was far more radical.

Question 8

How did emigration of poor people lead to UC revolt?

Answer 8

Mass emigration of Irish into UC led to racist suspicions e.g. criminals. Ops Township Scheme (helped poor immigrants) which reformers objected to due to the financial cost and lack of consultation with the LA.

Question 9

What intensified the fear of emigrants?

Answer 9

Cholera outbreak in 1832 and 1834 and 1837 economic crisis in USA that destabilised C economy.

Question 10

How did the actions of Governor Colborne lead to revolution?

Answer 10

He bypassed the LA to use tax revenue to pay officials salaries.
He also allocated revenue from clergy reserves to the 44 Anglican parishes to establish strong Anglican beliefs across UC.

Question 11

How did Governor Francis Head lead to revolution?

Answer 11

He forced reformers from office as they complained they had not been consulted on issues.
He then campaigned aggressively against reformers in the 1836 election.
This made the reformers see rebellion as the only option as they had no chance of the government listening to their issues.

Question 12

How did the victory for Head in the 1836 election directly lead to revolution?

Answer 12

Introduced 2 laws to prevent reformers gaining power.
1) Extended the term he would serve for. (The King was Ill and a new election was expected to be called.)
2) A law that prevented members of LA joining the executive council.

Question 13

Briefly summarize what happened in the revolution:

Answer 13

1837 - around 1000 men gathered in Toronto, their objectives were unclear.
- Several hundred of these men who were poorly armed marched and exchanged fire with loyalists. Most rebels fled.
- Soon after the arrival of loyalists meant the rest of the rebels fled
-Mackenzie declared his own state on Navy island with around 600 members but he was captured.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the UC revolt?

Answer 14

-Up to thousands of rebel / rebel sympathizers fled. Those who stayed were arrested (2 hanged).
-The province became entirely British and loyalist in appearance and beliefs.
-The British believed the issue was the family compact.

Question 15

What were the 3 short term causes of the revolt in LC?

Answer 15

1) Leadership of Patriotes by Papineau.
2) Economic and social issues.
3) The Gosford Inquiry.

Question 16

Describe Papineaus role in causing the LC revolt:

Answer 16

-He became increasingly anti-British in the 1830s and refused to agree to any compromises or to the civil list to pay gov. officials.
-His change of heart is also linked to the economic downturn of LC and the general feeling of revolution in the 1830s.

Question 17

How did Economic and social issues lead to LC revolt?

Answer 17

-The economy suffered in the 1830s and there was increased emigration as well which brought Cholera (similar to UC).
-The tensions increased so much that in 1832 election 2 men were shot by the military.
-The economic issues were exacerbated by the government focusing on how to pay the officials rather than to focus on wider issues.

Question 18

What was the Gosford mission?

Answer 18

An inquiry to assess the reasons for tensions in LC. Similar to the Canada comittee.

Question 19

How did the Gosford Mission increase tensions?

Answer 19

Francis Head revealed the terms of the inquiry to UC in 1836. There was outrage as it showed they had no intention for constitutional reform.

Question 20

What were the Russel Resolutions?

Answer 20

Passed by House of Commons which rejected constitutional reform in Lower Canada which Patriotes expressed in the 92 resolutions.

Question 21

How did the Russel Resolutions increase tensions?

Answer 21

-They were met with outrage. Patriots boycotted British goods and called for trade with the USA.
-Gosford responded by increasing the military presence of the British in LC.
-He also banned all public meetings in 1837 and protest meetings in 1836.

Question 22

Summarize the events of the revolt in LC:

Answer 22

-500 organised into paramilitary group.
-Papineau spoke against rebellion but Wolfred Nelson endorsed and became voice of patriotes.
-Pro british newspaper, The Vindicator, destroywd.
- Cavalry and Patriotes exchange fire.
- St Denis: rebels win against loyalists.
- St Charles: Rebels are defeated.
-5 December 1837:martial law declared.
-British destroy houses of Patriotes and associates and 100 patriotes are shot fleeing a church in St Eustache.
- December 1837-Jan 1838: Lord Gosford has situation in control and most are prisoner or have fled to America.

Question 23

How many rebels are estimated to have been involved with the rebellion?

Answer 23

Up to 13000.

Question 24

What lessons did the British learn from LC revolt?

Answer 24

They thought it was important to ensure the French Canadians couldn’t command a majority in the LA and they also reined in the Chateau Clique. They decided a new constitution was needed for the province by suspending 1791 constitution.

Question 25

Was there ever a serious threat of revolution?

Answer 25

Gatherings only numbered up to around 1000 at any time and they were put down with relative ease and were over within 6 months of starting. The British assessed that whilst the revolutions were not serious, there were still a threat of a larger population rising if the time was right e.g. the revolutions were in winter in sparsely populated areas - not ideal.