Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

1. Conflict Resolution Mechanisms Proclamation of 1763, Quebec Act, Durham Report, Act of Union

2. For each document… • Context (date, event) • Why A (motivated creation) • Why B (historical significance) Documents in Context • Quebec Act 1774 • 1774 • Assimilation, loyalty • Enlarged territory, a final intolerable act, Canadien protection, no elected assembly • Proclamation of 1763 • End of 7 Years War • 2) British victory • 3) Created Quebec, protected some Canadien traditions, some aspects not enacted • Act of Union 1840 • Reaction to Durham Report • The accepted portion of the Durham Report • Showed difference between colony and country, fanned the flames of reform, beginning of merger of colonies • Durham Report 1839 • Post Rebellions • Request for cause/recommendations • Moving forward with ideas of reform and union

3. Proclamation of 1763 Britain’s Overarching Aims: Establish Control, Establish British Way of Life in formerly “enemy territory”, Prevent Thirteen-Colonies Style Unrest Looking Back: Considering the times and context, were the provisions unreasonable?

4. Quebec Act 1774 Britain’s Overarching Aims: Encourage progress and English domination while appeasing the Canadiens enough to avoid conflict; Avoid responsible government • Think: • The Quebec Act was one of the Intolerable Acts associated with the American Revolution. Why? • Why would Britain not be keen on granting the right to vote to Roman Catholics ,and thus deny responsible government to the entire Quebec colony?

5. Durham Report- Context and Key Questions • Context: • Britain has lost 13 colonies, only 6 remain • Noted similarities between conditions leading to rebellions of 1837/8 and the American Revolution. • Critics of British government accusing it of neglecting the North American colonies in terms of leadership and in allowing local democracy. • Key Questions • What did Durham identify as the causes of the 1837/8 rebellions? • What does responsible government mean and why did Durham recommend it? • How did the Act of Union affect the relationship among the five colonies? • How did responsible government come about in Nova Scotia, and the Canadas (Upper and Lower)? What geographic and cultural characteristics discouraged cooperation among the colonies?

6. Lord Durham • The Man: • John “Radical Jack” Lambton • Powerful voice of reform in 1830s • Advocated for secret ballot and extended voting rights • Born 1792 Died 1840 • The Job: • Head Commission of Inquiry into 1837/8 Rebellions • Make recommendations for the future of Canadas. • Serve as GG. • “People who wanted to see political change in the colonies were pleased by Durham’s appointment.”Why?

7. Lord Durham (II) • The (Original) Idea: • Joining colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada and Maritimes into single legislative union. • The Benefits: • Prevent local oligarchies from controlling political life. • Increased tax-base to fund large-scale projects • The Reaction: • NO WAY. Why? • The (Next) Idea: • Union of Upper and Lower Canada only. • Supported by William and Robert Baldwin. Robert Baldwin

8. The Proposal • Responsible Government is… • A system where the government is responsible to the elected Assembly and the people who elect them. • A system already in existence in Britain at this time. • The Baldwin Brothers’ Proposal: • Colonial Governor (British appointed) serves as Head of State • Governor must choose Executive Council from the elected members of the Legislative Assembly. • Governor must accept the advice of the council on domestic matters. • Governor (and Britain) maintains control over foreign affairs. • Where does the true (domestic) power lie with this system? I would ask Your Lordship, would the people of England endue any system of Executive Government over which they had less influence than that which at present exists [in the Canadas]? Your Lordship knows they would not. Can you then expect the people of these colonies with their English feelings and English sympathies to be satisfied with less.. They can see a reason why their relations with foreign countries should be placed in other hands: but none why their domestic concerns should not be managed upon similar principles to those applied in the administration of the Imperial Government…” Robert Baldwin to Lord Durham August 1838

9. Existing Structure in British North America Mid 19th Century British Government Appoints Governor Advises Advises Appoints Appoints Executive Council Legislative Council Legislative Assembly Elects Voters

10. British Government Baldwin’s Proposal for Responsible Government Appoints Governor Advises Appoints Advises Legislative Assembly Legislative Council Executive Council (from majority party) Recommends Elects Voters

11. The Proposal (II) Baldwin’s Proposal Existing Structure • The Baldwin’s Proposal Appeals to Durham… • Form of government similar to Britain’s (familiarity). • Responsible government for local issues (thus silencing complaints). • Acceptable to important leaders in all 6 colonies. • One exception… • No responsible government extended to Lower Canada. Why? • Unfavourable view of Canadiens, and yet treated rebel leaders leniently.

12. The Report • On the Union of the Canadas • Solution to political, cultural and economic problems: assimilation. • “I have little doubt that the French, when once placed by legitimate course of events and the working of natural causes, in a minority, would abandon their vain hopes of a nationality.” • Causes of Conflict in Lower Canada • Industrial Economy vs. Agricultural Economy • “I expected to find a contest between a government and a people: I found two nations warring in the bosom of single state…It will be acknowledged…that sooner or later the English race was sure to predominate even numerically in Lower Canada.” • On Responsible Government • Noted envy of colonists of economic prosperity and democratic system of USA. • Annexation a real threat. • “this is the last effort of their almost exhausted patience…and that the government of the colony should henceforth be carried on in conformity with the views of the majority of the Assembly.” • Causes of Conflict in Upper Canada • Clergy Reserves • “as most emigrants are not members of the COE, the disproportion is likely to increase…I know of no mode of this question being settled but by repealing all provisions in Imperial Acts that relate…to the clergy reserves…”

13. The Report (II) • Reactions: • Oligarchies (FC, CC) • Fearful • See pg. 61 • Atlantic Colonies • Supportive • “two prime recommendations, being perfectly simple and eminently British.” • Reformers (British, Colonial) • Content • “Death to the Family Compact and up with the Durham Constitution!” • Canadien leaders • Insulted • Tories (British, Colonial) • Saw as an attack on their privileges and power.

14. The Act of Union (1840) • Accepted • Union of Canadas into one colony • Debts merged into one. • Canada West and Canada East. • One elected Legislative Assembly- each Canada had equal representation. ** • Denied • Structures to implement Responsible Government. X

15. The Act of Union (III) • Opposition • Canadien moderates. • Catholic Church • Supporters • British government • Approved 1840 (July), Proclamation 1841 • British minority in the Canadas. Why? • Industrialisation vs. agriculture • Bigotry • Editorials on voting rights qualifications • Tory-dominated Assembly in Upper Canada • Qualifications: • Loan to cover newly combined debts. • Relocation of capital to Kingston • English the only official language.