Official Power under the British Rule

Royal Proclamation 1763 A. Government’s goal was to maintain order in a territory of former enemies (the French Canadiens) MUST ASSIMILATE POPULATION TO MAKE THIS WORK Undemocratic gov’t set up. a) King chose a governor who had all the power b) Governor appointed an Executive Council to advise him (could not be Catholic [Test Act]) c) French Canadiens (majority of the population) had no say in government

Royal Proclamation 1763 KING OF ENGLAND Governor represents the king Executive council chosen by and advises the governor could not be Catholic

The End of the French in North America?  Legal system consisted of British criminal and civil laws  No more French immigration; only British immigration allowed  English speaking merchants and businessmen replace French  English language, Protestant religion encouraged  Catholic church allowed to maintain control over society

New Idea: Liberalism  All individuals have equal and natural rights which protect them from the abuse of the king.  Called for a parliament which represented the people. (Responsible Government)  Freedom of expression.

Quebec Act 1774 B. Government feared a rebellion of the French Canadiens (like what was happening in 13 Colonies) NEEDED TO APPEASE POPULATION a) Oath of allegiance to the king allowed Catholics to have a government position b) 8 French Canadiens could sit on the Executive Council to advise the governor c)Legal system would consist of French civil laws and English criminal laws  MORE POWER GIVEN TO FRENCH CANADIENS

C) British government could count on 3 main allies to enforce their power a) French nobility: did not want to lose their land b) Aboriginal population: military partners c) Church: allowed to collect taxes, did not have to return to France, could hold government positions. Allies of the State

D) French Canadiens and British colonists wanted more say in the government  Arrival of Loyalists from the 13 Colonies wanted a legislative assembly as they had had in 13 Colonies Protest sent to Britain  decision must be made about how to APPEASE both populations Colonists’ Protests Legislative Assembly Level of government where members are chosen by the people

E) Constitutional Act 1791 a) Province of Quebec divided into 2 parts: Upper and Lower Canada b) Upper Canada = English speaking Lower Canada = French speaking c) Each was given its own legislative assembly made up of members voted for by the colonists (population) Parliamentary Government

The Constitutional Act 1791 KingGovernor (appointed by the king) Executive councilLegislative Council (advised the governor) (could make and reject laws) Legislative Assembly (elected by the people, did not receive salary had to be rich to take post) People (poorest people can not vote, as well married women)

KING Parliament in London Governor General Lower Canada Upper Canada Executive Council Lieutenant Governor Legislative Council Executive Council Assembly People of Upper CanadaPeople of Lower Canada Governor’s Rep.

a) Not every member of society could vote: 1) Must be a British subject 2) Must be 21 years old 3) Must own land b) Governor and Legislative Council had power to VETO laws proposed by the Legislative Assembly c) Had to be rich to be member as there was no salary involved Problems with the Constitutional Act

New Ideas Republicanism Nationalism NationalismUltramontanism

1) Belief that people should be allowed to govern themselves 2) People have the right to take up arms and fight for this belief Republicanism

1) Individuals who group together because they share a common characteristics (culture, language, religion) The Catholic religion and the Church were put in charge of encouraging French nationalism. Nationalism

Encouraging French nationalism meant protecting: a) the French Language b) Catholic religion c) agricultural way of life French Nationalism

The power of the Church is stronger than the State Pope’s opinion above all others Only the Catholic Church could say what was good and morally okay Church should be responsible schools, charities, orphanages, shelters Ultramontanism

Opposition to British Rule Lower Canada Rebellion and its Aftermath

 A fight for power between the Legislative Assembly, the Legislative Council and the Governor: all three had to agree to pass laws. Often never agreed with the French Legislative Assembly  Poor Economic Conditions: due to poor farming practices  Immigration: bringing diseases, many in the cities got sick. French Dissatisfaction

Many more publications by early 1800s Provided: i) local news coverage ii) opinions about political situation iii)views about economy Power of the Newspapers Had never been done before LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY USED NEWSPAPERS TO EXPRESS AND SPREAD THEIR IDEAS AND POLITICAL DEMANDS

F) French Canadien voters mostly supported the Parti Canadien  Most of the members of the Lower Canada Legislative Assembly were French-speaking  Fought for Legislative Assembly to have more power  Came into conflict with the English governor and mostly English Legislative Council Parti Canadien

British: mostly bankers, merchants, entrepreneurs (urban) Spend $ on transport Spend $ on transport Tax property Tax property Unite Upper and Lower Canada  ASSIMILATE French Unite Upper and Lower Canada  ASSIMILATE French French: mostly lawyers, notaries, doctors (rural) Preserve French culture Preserve French culture Keep seigneuries and French laws Keep seigneuries and French laws Tax business & trade Tax business & trade Responsible Government  ASSEMBLY has power! Responsible Government  ASSEMBLY has power! French vs British

1) 92 Resolutions  The Legislative Assembly under the Parti Patriote create list of demands, sent to Great Britain.  Want Responsible Government: The Legislative Assembly has more power.  Advisors to the Governor (Executive Council) chosen from the Legislative Assembly. Events Leading to the Rebellions

2) Britain responds to 92 Resolutions: NO 3) Parti Patriote holds mass rallies to put pressure on British Government. 4) British respond with military force, begin to arrest Patriote leaders. 5) Many Patriote leaders flee outside Montreal (to the country). Set up armed Rebel bases. Events Leading to the Rebellions

6) Battles between rebel Patriote and British soldiers take place at St. Denis, St. Eustache, and finally at Lacolle. 7) Rebel Patriote forces defeated. 8) Rebel leaders hanged in Montreal. Others flee to the United States (including Louis Joseph Papineau) The Rebellion

Sent to find out the causes of the Rebellions Report included causes and solutions: Lord Durham CAUSESSOLUTIONS Want Responsible Government (Executive Council to be elected) Recommended Responsible Government French and British do not get along French reject British domination Unify Upper and Lower Canada  create a single Leg. Assembly Assimilate French Encourage British immigration

Act of Union 1840KINGGovernor (appointed by the English King) Executive CouncilLegislative Council (advise the governor)(pass/reject laws) United Legislative Assembly (made up of members from Canada West and East) Canada West (Ontario) Canada East (Quebec) ( elects 42 members)(elects 42 members) United Upper and Lower Canada = Canada East and West elected same # of members to Legislative Assembly  disadvantage to East because they had more people

1848: Canada granted Responsible Government. i) Head of the majority in the Assembly (prime minister) chose members of the Executive Council from elected members of the majority party of the Legislative Assembly. ii) Governor-General agreed not to use his veto power. iii) English and French worked together; became officially bilingual Act of Union: Changes post-1840

iv)Women & Aboriginals could no longer vote v) Primary & secondary schools established in an attempt to educate and control the population of new immigrants (paid for by new taxes) vi) Increased power to the Church: social control entrusted to Catholic Church through education and medical care  many more members of the clergy Act of Union: Changes post-1840