The Durham Report: significance to development of Canada Flashcards
Define responsible self government:
Colonies are in charge of their own legislature and are entirely responsible for their tax and economy.
Was self government immediately implemented into Canada?
No - infighting in the Whig government meant that only the unification of Canada came about as a result and it took 10 years before any colonies gained self government (Nova Scotia in 1848).
What was a major issue with the content of the Durham Report?
It failed to acknowledge the land rights of native Americans and didn’t offer any solutions to the future of Aboriginal people within the Empire. Durham’s solutions were only ever implemented in the white settler colonies.
What was Durham’s title in Canada?
High commissioner.
Why was Durham so successful?
Most radical reformers had already left the country or were in jail and Durham himself was very popular with the people (possibly because he didn’t have the chance to make any mistakes due to his short reign). People were also willing to listen to him simply due to the fact he was rich and influential.
Describe Durham’s attitude to politics and to the mission in Canada:
Labelled ‘radical Jack’ due to him doing anything necessary to pass the Great Reform Act - he was very wealthy and initially reluctant to get involved in Canada. It was only after the revolts and a message from the Queen that he intervened. He was also unconventional and controversial e.g. one of his advisors was a pedo.
How long was Durham in Canada for?
4 and a half months.
What did Durham do immediately after arriving in Lower Canada?
-He removed the executive council and replaced it with his own staff and submitted deposition of rebel prisoners for his own review.
-He also asked for cooperation from reformers and promised peaceful reform.
-He made it known he allowed prisoners to exercise.
What did Durham do about land issues in LC?
He created the ‘Commission of Inquiry on Crown Lands and Emigration for all of the British North American provinces’ which recommended land not be given to emigrants straight away.
What did Durham do about rebels in LC?
-He pardoned most of them but exiled the ‘most guilty’ to Bermuda.
-He also negotiated with the USA to arrange border patrols to prevent rebels crossing back over to Canada.
What was the Bill of Indemnity?
A bill declaring Durham’s actions regarding prisoners to be illegal by Melbournes political rival Lord Brougham
Why did Durham resign?
Due to the criticisms and legal action against his handling of the political prisoners but also due to the controversial advisers he picked which Melbourne couldn’t risk affecting his political legacy.
Describe Wakefield’s role in the Canadas:
He thought that the system of Land in C were it was given freely was terrible and that land should be sold to immigrants at a high price.
-This encouraged ‘worthy’ settlers. He acted as an unofficial adviser to Durham and Buller due to his controversial past and the part in the report on the Crown lands and emigration is what he is credited with.
-He believed land tax should go back into public works to encourage settlement and -he wanted the unification of the Canadas.
What was Buller’s role in the Canadas?
-He was the official head of the Commission into Crownlands (although this was done mostly by Wakefield). He was sympathetic to French-Canadian rebels.
-He was Durham’s most significant adviser in writing the report. He was more radical than other Whig politicians.
What 3 things did the actual Durham report outline?
1) The unification of UC and LC (to put French Canadians into a minority)
2) To repeal the freedoms granted under the Quebec Act to improve economic positions of habitants and promote economic growth.
3) Responsible self government should be put into place (as seen through interviews with Canadians such as Robert Baldwin). The government would follow the Westminster model rather than having an executive council.
