1. Grade 7 Unit 2 Review For Test
Handout: The War of 1812
Handout: War Heroes
Handout: Colonial Government
Handout: Lower Canada Rebels Pack
Handout: Upper Canada Rebels Pack
Handout: The Rebellion of 1837
Handout: The Union Act of 1840
Handout: Transition to Responsible Government and Responsible Government – Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia – Political Leaders
Handout: Responsible Government – Province of Canada and Political Leaders
Handout: Responsible Government – New Brunswick and PEI
Handout: Responsible Government – Newfoundland and Political Leaders

2. The War of 1812 June of 1812, the USA declares war on Britain
Power struggle still exists between France and Britain (Napoleonic Wars)—each country tries to weaken the other by destroying trade to its colonies
Impressment – captured American merchants/soldiers/people are FORCED to serve in the British military even though they supported the French but were under the control of the British
First Nations conflicts—many settlers are heading west (Ohio Valley) and taking land away from First Nations
War was brewing in North America—with the British still fighting the French in Europe, their troops were spread thin—the American realize that this is an opportune time to strike and so, they invade
Heroes such as Brock, Tecumseh and Secord become famous during this period
Battle of Detroit/Battle of Queenston Heights/Battle of Washington and Baltimore
Finishes with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent – very little change after the war—borders are still the same—no real victor
War’s impact on:
America – wave of patriotism and westward expansion
British North America – unifying moment for Upper and Lower Canadians (English and French) against an oppressive force – sense of Nationalism

3. War Heroes
Sir Isaac Brock/Tecumseh/Laura Secord

4. Colonial Government + Lower/Upper Canada Unrest and protest
The Constitution Act of 1791 created Upper and Lower Canada.
The head of both of the new colonies was the British Governor General in Quebec City. The Constitution Act also gave the colonies a Lieutenant Governor, an Executive and Legislative Council, and a Legislative Assembly.
Review the Government Structure diagram on the handout pack
Patriote Party/Papineau/92 Resolutions/Grievances/Cote/W. Nelson/R. Nelson
Family Compact/Mackenzie/Rolph/Matthews/Egmond/Lount

5. Review both the Lower Canada and Upper Canada Rebels Pack
Patriote Party/Papineau/92 Resolutions/Grievances/Cote/W. Nelson/R. Nelson
Family Compact/Mackenzie/Rolph/Matthews/Egmond/Lount

6. The Rebellion of 1837 (results)
Durham’s Recommendations:
1. Upper and Lower Canada should be united. Durham said he found two nations “warring” with each other. The English in Lower Canada would never accept being ruled by a French-speaking majority. He felt the French Canadians were a people without culture or history. If the two Canadas were to be united, the French Canadian identity would cease to exist. The English culture would take over, which he thought would be best. He said the rebellion in Lower Canada was a fruitless attempt to preserve French Canadian nationality in the midst of the English colonies.
2. The power of the government in this united colony should be in the hands of the elected Legislative Assembly. Durham said that representative government was not working. How funds were spent should be left to the Assembly. The Canadians wanted a government similar to the one in the United States.
3. Eventually all of British North America should be united. Durham proposed two systems of government – federal and legislative. The separate legislatures should continue in each province and retain the features of internal legislation. The federal government would have no exercising powers in the governing of the individual provinces, but would have control over matters of general concern to all provinces. This federal government would operate similar to the British Parliament in exercising universal and sole legislation over all the provinces
4. Municipal governments should be created for the towns. This would give the people control over their own affairs. Durham said the people of Lower Canada had been forced into a style of government they did not understand.
5. The land question on Prince Edward Island should be resolved. The problem was that most of the farmers rented rather than owned their land. The landlords were absent. No decision about the government of the island could be made until this matter was settled.
His solution was to give power to the majority through a system of responsible government.
Allow the French to be assimilated into English culture.

7. The Union Act of 1840
In 1840, Upper and Lower Canada were united by the Union Act. After this date the two Canadas would exist under one name – The Province of Canada.
Review the KEY POINTS of the Union Act – (The electoral districts of Upper Canada were redone so that there would be more of them/The Governor would proclaim elections/The Governor could refuse to pass a bill if he so desired/The British government reserved the right to disallow a bill up to two years after it had been passed)
Why was it “doomed” to fail?
The lack of responsibility in government upset every Reformer in the new province. Soon problems were going to surface.
The union could only survive if everyone saw an advantage to the union.
In order to be successful, all the people in the new province had to be loyal to the government.

8. Transition to Responsible Government and Responsible Government – Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia – Political Leaders Packs
Basic Elements of Responsible Government:
• The Executive Council was responsible to the elected Assembly.
• After an election, the Governor would appoint a leader from the party that controlled the Assembly (the majority party) to head the Executive Council.
• This person would then become the leader of the government. He would be known as the premier or the prime minister.
• If the premier was to lose the support of the Assembly by being outvoted, then he must resign. The Governor would then choose someone else to become leader or call an election.
Nova Scotia became the first colony in British North America to be granted self- government, which was called responsible government.

9. Responsible Government – Province of Canada and Political Leaders
In 1841, Sir Charles Bagot was appointed Governor General of British North America. He arrived in the Province of Canada in He appointed two leading Reformers – Louis Lafontaine and Robert Baldwin
Repeal of the Corn Laws allows for FREE TRADE
Rebellion Losses Bill
Baldwin and Lafontaine

10. Responsible Government – New Brunswick and PEI
New Brunswick achieved responsible government in 1854.
PEI granted in 1851 but solidified in 1862.

11. Responsible Government – Newfoundland and Political Leaders
Last colony to gain responsible government
There was also antagonism between the Protestant and Catholic political factions
Officially granted in 1855
Carson/Little/Kent