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The Evolution of Government in Newfoundland 1800- 1934. From Infant to Adult. The Timeline:. 1800 1817 1824 1832 1855. Naval Governor lives in NL year round. Civil Governor= Tween. RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT= Adult.
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The Timeline: 1800 1817 1824 1832 1855 Naval Governor lives in NL year round Civil Governor= Tween RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT= Adult Naval Governor= infant Representative Government= Teenager
Naval Governors 1800-1817 • Appointed by the British Government • “Excellency” • Had power over the military, politics and the courts • 1800s, Newfoundland/Labrador seen as a fishing station, not a settlement Henry Osborn First Naval Governor NL
Naval Governors 1800-1817 • There was settlement in many places, St. John’s was growing, but the governor only stayed here for part of the year.
Naval Governors 1800-1817 • Problems in fishery and no money led to riots in winters of 1816-1818 • Governor instructed to stay in the colony year-round after that • “Winter of the Rals” – riots, starving people, all kinds of issues • Governor Pickmore died in St. John’s that winter – see Did You Know? P.71
Naval Governors 1800-1817 Weakness of this type of government: • The people of Newfoundland were not allowed to elect leaders • British Government made all decisions • Naval governors were not responsive to the needs of the people of Newfoundland
Civil Governor 1824 • Newfoundland became a Crown Colony in 1824. • Appointed by the British government • Newfoundlanders had some say in their affairs • Civil Governor could seek advice of an appointed local council (but DID NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM!)
Civil Governor 1824 Weakness of this type of government: 1. Appointed and not elected
Representative Government 1832-1855 1. Governor appointed by Britain 2. Legislative council appointed by Governor/ British Government. Usually wealthy, originating from England. ** Governor+ Council= POWER TO MAKE LAWS!!
Representative Government 1832-1855 3. Elected Assembly • Men over the age of 21, and living in NL for 1 year could vote to elect members • Women and the poor were disenfranchised (no right to vote) • 15 members of the House of Assembly, representing 9 electoral districts (p73)
Representative Government 1832-1855 3. Elected Assembly • Could suggest new laws to the governor and council • Had NO POWER to make laws
Representative Government 1832-1855 Weaknesses of this form of government: • French Shore, south coast and Labrador were not represented • Women and the poor were not allowed to vote • The council and elected assembly argued constantly and got little accomplished
Responsible Government • 1855- 1934 • Reformers wanted this • Governor did not want this style of gov’t • Executive council oppose as well • Both not want to lose their power • Reformers pressured British gov’t and after several years they agreed
Responsible Government 1. Governor- had no real power any more 2. Executive Council (Cabinet) • Appointed by the governor • Members came from the political party that gained the most votes in the election • The leader of that party became Premier
Responsible Government • Phillip Francis Little becomes first Premier • The style of government stay in place till 1934