The Governance systems of Upper and Lower Canada and the threat from the USA Flashcards
What was set out in the 1791 consitution?
The political systems of both Upper and Lower Canada which were broadly similar.
Two legislative assembly’s, voted in by a largely male franchise which could agree new taxes and propose laws.
They answered to legislative councils who were appointed for life, they were needed to approve the laws passed by the legislative assemblies. (unelected representatives could block the suggestions of elected ones).
The Executive councils were appointed and acted like government ministers, Power was held with those who could influence the councils.
The Governor general, the Lieutenant Governor, the representative Governor and the executive councils answered to London, not voters.
From a British POV, it put them at the top, but for Canadians, it was a veneer of democracy.
Between UC and LC, what differences where there between: Nationality and Loyalty of the population.
UPPER: Far more British settlers than LC, more loyalists fled there during the war of independence. Was largely made up of petty, corrupt, insolent Tories with a small indigenous population.
LOWER: LC was colonised be pre-revolutionary France, 75-80% of the population lived as part of the Seigneurial system. However, the region was still under the influence of British loyalists.
Between UC and LC, what differences where there between: Political Groups
UPPER: Large groups of fleeing loyalists during the 1790s, had a lieutenant governor appointed by London. The legislative council was ran by the Family Compact, a small group of men
LOWER: French Canadians who were strongly attached to their French identity. Governors selected English businessmen to sit on the council making the chateau clique, another group of wealth men who controlled the economy.
Between UC and LC, what differences where there between: Religion
UPPER: In UC, there was a strict adherence to the Anglican church, London knew the best way to keep UC loyal was to establish an Anglican Church. However, the UC population was mostly protestant but any kind of reform that did not favour the Anglican church was instantly blocked by the Family Compact.
LOWER: British granted free practice of Catholicism in 1774 in Quebec, as well as accepting a French civil law for maters of private law. Property rights in LC would be divided to the sons rather passing all to the Eldest Son in the British fashion.
Between UC and LC, what differences where there between: Land and the economy
UPPER: Most land was held by the crown and therefore judged to be free to grant to white settlers. Deals with indigenous peoples increased the crowns territory. 1/7th of the land in UC was clergy reserves.
LOWER: Land was granted to a Seignior, a landlord of a large estate, who would loan out to farmers who would subsistence farm for rent. Essentially a feudal system with habitants as the tenants.
What where they upset about in UPPER CANADA?
A total lack of infrastructure, capital investment and a very small population of around 10,000.
Governor raised revenue without the consulting the legislative assembly, selling land to the Canada company and using it to pay officials. This upset radical reformers who wanted greater economic and political control of the province.
Opposition to the family compact grew in the 1820-30s over the issue of land tenure.
People wanted responsible self government and a lawyer, Robert Baldwin, wrote a letter to Lord Glenely suggesting widespread constitutional reform and the removal of the family compact from the executive council.
What were the mandem upset about in LOWER CANADA?
Rural stagnation for habitants was blamed by the chateau clique on French backwardness. The solution was to proposed by the CQ was a bill in 1822 that would unite UC+LC, making the French speakers a minority. The French speakers were very much against this idea, mobilising quickly to protect their national identity.
Governor from 1820-28 was Dalhousie, who upset the Patriotes and unrest reached a point where the French majority in the LA refused to vote on a bill regarding the payment of officials. Dalhousie prorogued the elected assembly in 1827 (discontinuing he session), because he refused to accept the patriote leader of the house
In London, a petition with 87,000 signatures meant he was removed from his post,
What was the threat from the USA?
The 1791 constitution was designed to stop French Canadians from revolting by protecting their religious freedoms and their culture. To allow these freedoms, the British hoped the USA would not be able to stir a rebellion.
the structure drawn up in 1791 was based on the war of independence, as the British believed the 13 colonies revolted due to taxation. By establishing the autonomous LA, they hoped to prevent a similar situation in the future.
However, the veneer of democracy meant power lay in the hands of the British appointed officials which meant tensions between Canadians and their overlords was inevitable, largely caused by slow communications to London.
