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ATTAINING RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT. SOCIAL STUDIES 10. Post-rebellion review. The rebellions of 1837-38 in both upper Canada and lower Canada sparked by calls for reform to the political system.
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ATTAINING RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT SOCIAL STUDIES 10
Post-rebellion review • The rebellions of 1837-38 in both upper Canada and lower Canada sparked by calls for reform to the political system. • The colonial government system from 1791-1840 featured an oligarchy where the colony was ruled by a small group of elite English-speaking men • In lord durham’s report, he recommended the unification of the canadas and responsible government • 1840 act of union led to upper Canada lower Canada being merged into united Canada in 1841. upper Canada = Canada west, lower Canada = Canada east
FEARS OF RESPONSIBLE GOV’T • WEAKEN BRITISH EMPIRE AND STRENGTHEH ENEMIES OF THE BRITISH (USA) • CREATE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
BRITISH ECONOMIC POLICY SHIFT • BRITISH EMPIRE FOLLOWED THE POLICY OF MERCANTLISM • MERCANTLISM: HOME COUNTRY TAKES RAW PRODUCT FROM COLONIES TO MAKE GOODS FOR PROFIT • 1846 THE BRITISH MOVE TOWARDS FREE TRADE WHEN THEY REPEALED THE CORN LAWS WHICH PERMITTED CANADIAN GRAIN PRODUCTS TO ENTER BRITAIN WITH A LOW DUTY (TAX) • BRITISH VIEW COLONIES (CANADA) AS AN ECONOMIC PARTNER, NO LONGER A RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH EXPENSE TO GOVERN, DEFEND AND FINANCE THE COLONIES
LORD ELGIN AND RESPONSIBLE GOV’T ACHIEVED • 1847, JAMES BRUCE, THE SON IN LAW OF LORD DURHAM WAS APPOINTED GOVERNOR GENERAL OF UNITED CANADA AND WAS GIVEN THE TASK OF BRINGING IN RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT • 1848 ELECTIONS IN CANADA EAST RESULTED IN REFORMER LOUIS HIPPOLYTE-LAFONTAINE MAJORITY AND IN CANADA WEST REFORMER ROBERT BALDWIN MAJORITY • ELGIN CALLED ON LAFONTAINE AND BALDWIN TO FORM A GOVERNMENT
GOVERNOR *Appointed by government in England *Represented the monarch *Always English *Took orders from the British Government HOW RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL *members appointed by the governor for life *made and passed laws *also called the Upper House EXECUTIVE COUNCIL *Appointed by the governor, but chosen from the party holding majority in the Legislative Assembly *held office for the term of the government *each member (minister) given charge of a department of gov’t LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY *elected by the voters for up to 4 years *made and passed laws *also called the Lower House
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT TESTED • IN 1849 THE REFORM GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED THE REBELLION LOSSES BILL WHICH GAVE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION TO ANYONE WHO LOST PROPERTY IN THE REBELLION, INCLUDING THE REBELS. • THIS BILL WAS SUPPORTED BY THE REFORMERS, BUT OPPOSED BY THE TORIES AND EVEN LORD ELGIN • HOWEVER, UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNOR COULD NOT VETO ANY LAWS, THUS ELGIN SIGNED IT.
REACTIONS TO REBELLION LOSSES BILL • IN RESPONSE TO THE SIGNING OF THE REBELLION LOSSES BILL, RIOTING TOOK PLACE FOR TWO DAYS. THIS INCLUDED THE BURNING OF THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS IN MONTREAL. • ANTI-REBELS, WHICH INCLUDED MERCHANTS AND CITIZENS PUBLISHED THE ANNEXATION MANIFESTO WHICH WAS A PLAN FROM THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE OVER. • THE MOVE TO BEING A COUNTRY BY ITSELF BEGINS