Unit 3- Britian- Canada Flashcards
What are the 2 main features of the Canada section?
1) Attitudes of the reformers: Upper Canada and Lower Canada
2) Importance of Lord Durham’s report
3) Attitudes of the British towards Canadians
Lord Durham report
He was an experienced politician who had served as Governor General of Canada
However he did not serve in Canada for long and had difficulty in gaining an overview of Canada as he was based in Quebec with only small staff
Strong settlement of loyalty is qualified by reference to the English population
‘Radical Jack’- he had supported whigs and had liberal political views such as the Great Reform Bill of 1832 and free trade
The British approach had not been wise and popular
Arrangements for the administration of colonial government of Canada
1791 Constitution- under 1 political system established by the British
Despite the fact that they have different people, system, languages and religion
Led to a lot of conflict
Upper Canada
Largely British population- evacuation of loyalists during the American War of Independence more sense of loyalty here compared to Lower Canada
Ran the province with an executive council (HOL & Commons type system) controlled by Family Compact
British were convinced that the best way to maintain loyalty was through the establishment of the Anglican Church- FC were devout Protestants however they weren’t the majority- there were Baptist, Methodists
The Crown had total control-no reform of the system- even though there were reports of petitions and agitation for political reform
Main causation of the revolt- radical reformers-William Lyon Mackenzie- went against the Family Compact- argued that reform was necessary and Canada should follow in the footsteps of America and seek independence
Results of the revolt- after Lower Canada- 1837- 1,000 men in Toronto attack Family Compact owned businesses
Failed due to dominance of the British
Many rebels fled expect those who decided to remain loyal to the British
Lower Canada
Quebec Act 1774
guaranteed the free practice of Catholicism and use of French civil law
French- Canadians- fiercely attached to their identity
Influx of British loyalists- ongoing racial tension
French speaking population was bigger than English- more dominant in the legislative assembly- even though the official language of the assembly was English
Opposed the Chateau Clique- French equivalent of the Family Compact
1828- sent a delegation- failed- led to revolt due to the exclusion of the French speaking majority of the population from the executive arm of the government
Papineau- position became more anti-British
but before then he viewed the British as perfect
Feb 1834- 92 Resolution- published by the Patriots demanding constitutional change including elective councils
Results of the revolt way worse than UC
13,000 in Montreal
