The importance of the Earl of Durham's appointment as High Commissioner; the roles of Charles Buller and Edward Gibbon Wakefield; the main recommendations and importance of the Durham Report. Flashcards
What was the role of Lord Durham in Canada?
High commissioner (he held executive power whilst in Canada)
Which act did Lord Durham aid in terms of it being passed by Congress?
Great Reform Act
For how long did Lord Durham’s mission last?
4 and a half months
When was Lord Durham’s report published?
11 February 1839
What was Lord Durham’s first act in Lower Canada?
Removal of old executive council (replaced by his staff temporarily); offered work to those who sought peaceful reform; allowed exercise in prison courtyards
What did Lord Durham establish whilst in Canada?
The first police and appointed a Commission of Inquiry on Crown Lands and Emigration for all the British North American provinces
What was Lord Durham’s decision regarding the prisoners of the attempted revolution?
Pardoned the majority and banished the most guilty to Bermuda (the idea of Charles Buller)
What did Britain pass as a result of Lord Durham’s action regarding the political prisoners of the revolutions in Canada?
Bill of indemnity
When did Lord Durham resign?
9 October 1838 (due to censure from London and Melbourne’s criticism of his actions)
Who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain between 18 April 1835 – 30 August 1841?
The Viscount of Melbourne, William Lamb
Who were two people heavily involved in the process of writing the Durham report?
Charles Buller and Gibbon Wakefield
Who served as the commissioner for Crown Lands?
Charles Buller (supported by Wakefield)
What were Buller and Wakefield largely attributed to in terms of the formation, not the writing, of the Durham report?
Interviewing a wide spectrum of Canadian society (including Robert Baldwin)
What was the role of Edward Gibbon Wakefield?
Secretary to Lord Durham
Which part of the Durham report is directly attributable to Wakefield?
The appendix on the Crown Lands and emigration (suggest a tax on wild lands and the proceeds to public works)
Who influenced both Wakefield and Durham in the idea of unifying both provinces?
Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine
What role did Charles Buller have?
Official secretary to Lord Durham
What were the three recommendations of the Durham report?
Unification of Lower and Upper Canada; freedoms granted by the Quebec act should be rescinded; responsible government for the new province
What did the Durham report leave out of the report?
Concerns for the indigenous population
When was the recommendation that the two Canadas should be united introduced to the British parliament?
May 1839
Who was sent after May 1839 to be Governor General and obtain consent for the unification of both Upper and Lower Canada?
Charles Poulett Thompson
When was the Act of Union proclaimed in Montreal?
10 February 1841 (Upper Canada pleased because it relieve them of their debt)
When was Responsible Government granted to Canada?
1848
When was Responsible Government granted to Australia and New Zealand?
1850s
