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Rebellion! Ch. 2 (p. 73-77). Rebellion in Lower Canada. The Lead-Up 1834: Papineau and Parti Patriote draw up “92 Resolutions” List of complaints and demands for change 1837: Britain rejects the 92 Resolutions Patriotes hold meeting to discuss rebellion
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Rebellion! Ch. 2 (p. 73-77)
Rebellion in Lower Canada • The Lead-Up • 1834: Papineau and PartiPatriote draw up “92 Resolutions” • List of complaints and demands for change • 1837: Britain rejects the 92 Resolutions • Patriotes hold meeting to discuss rebellion • Papineau having second thoughts • Argues for lawful changes through politics • Wolfred Nelson argues for rebellion, wins • “The time has come to melt our spoons into bullets!”
Rebellion in Lower Canada • Nov. 1837: Rebellion Breaks Out • Most militant Patriotes start first fights • Fils de la Liberté = Sons of Liberty • British send troops to Saint-Denis to arrest rebel leaders, stop rebellion • Papineau avoids arrest, flees to USA • Nelson becomes leader of Patriotes, sets up roadblock for oncoming British troops
Rebellion in Lower Canada • Battle of Saint-Denis • Nelson and Patriotes at roadblock • Most Patriotes are farmers and middle-class professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) • British troops arrive and are attacked • After gun battle, British forced to retreat • Leave six dead soldiers and cannon behind • First and last Patriotes victory in rebellion
Rebellion in Lower Canada • Battle of Saint-Charles • Two days after Saint-Denis, British attack Patriotes in Saint-Charles • 60 Patriotes dead, dozens arrested
Rebellion in Lower Canada • Battle of Saint-Eustache • Patriotes holed up in village church • British set church on fire, shoot Patriotes as they run out • 70-100 Patriotes killed • After British troops leave, English-Canadian volunteers loot and ransack nearby towns and farms • Many rebels flee for US, others arrested
Rebellion in Lower Canada • The Final Act • Wolfred Nelson arrested, brother Robert goes to USA to find Papineau • “Papineau has abandoned us. He is a man fit only for words, but not for action.” • Patriotes in USA prepare for 2nd rebellion led by Robert Nelson • Supported by “Hunter’s Lodges” • Secret society hoping to make Canada a republic • 1838: 2nd rebellion fails miserably • Disorganized, poorly supplied, too much looting
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Lead-Up to Rebellion • Reformers want responsible gov. • British rejection of 92 Resolutions a big blow to moderate reform • Radical change seems to be the only option • 1836: New Gov. Sir Francis Bond Head • Dissolved the Leg. Assembly, helped elect friendly politicians with bribery and threats • Quick enfranchisement: he gave land to conservative supporters so they could vote
Rebellion in Upper Canada • WL Mackenzie the Rebel • Mackenzie infuriated by rejection of 92 Resolutions and Gov. Head’s actions • Issues “Toronto Declaration” • Based on US Declaration of Independence • Inspired by rebellion in Lower Canada • Rides through countryside urging rebellion • Plans to march on Toronto, capture the government, and make Canada a republic like the US
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Trouble Brewing at the Tavern • Dec. 1837: Mackenzie and 600 rebels gather at Montgomery’s Tavern in North Toronto • Rebels mostly farmers • Gov. Head had sent Toronto troops to Lower Canada to fight Patriotes • City only defended by local militia • Mackenzie leads rebels down Yonge St. towards downtown Toronto
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Mackenzie vs. Jarvis • Dec. 5: Mackenzie leads ~600 rebels towards Toronto • Rebels armed with pitchforks, rifles, clubs, and pikes • Rebels run into ~20 loyalist volunteers led by Sheriff Jarvis • Loyalist volunteers tipped off, were waiting for rebels • Both sides very nervous and inexperienced
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Worst. Battle. Ever. • Jarvis’ loyalists fire on rebels then run away • First row of rebels return fire then drop to ground to let rebels behind them fire • In dusk, rebels think first row on ground are dead, so they run away too • Rebel advance on Toronto stopped
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern • Many rebels go home, some regroup at Montgomery’s Tavern • Dec. 8: ~1000 loyalists march to Tavern to fight rebels • Rebels offer little resistance, battle over in half-an-hour • Tavern burned to ground, many rebels escape to USA (including Mackenzie)
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Plan B • Mackenzie declares himself “President of the Canadian Republic” from Navy Island in Niagara River • British fire cannons at island, set supply ship on fire and send it over the falls • Border raids by rebels from US into Upper Canada for most of 1838 • Easy to defeat, but brought Britain and USA close to war until rebels defeated at Battle of the Windmill (Nov. 1838)
Rebellion in Upper Canada • Whatever happened to Mackenzie? • Lived for 10 years in USA • Caused trouble there too • Spent a year in prison • 1849: given a Canadian pardon • Moved back to Toronto • Resumed his journalistic and political career • Served as Member of Parl. for 6 years
Aftermath of the Rebellions • Captured Rebels • Most initially sentenced to prison • Many eventually pardoned • Including Mackenzie, Papineau, and Nelson after periods of exile • 20 rebels were hanged • ~60 sent to Australian penal colony • Many died on journey because of horrible conditions • Once there, used for slave labour