Government in upper canada and the reformers

1. Government in upper canadaand the reformers L.O.: SWBAT explain the reasons for the discontent and rebellion in Upper Canada. Supporting Paragraph Notes Life in Upper Canada Notes HW Chapter 7 Vocabulary Booklet Upper Canada Worksheet Rough Copy Loyalist Paragraph EXTRA: Read Chapter 7 Booklet Begin Major Assignment

2. Important Vocabulary Words Moderate – a person who does not hold extreme opinions Radical – holding extreme opinions; wants fundamental social, economic, and political changes. Treason – the crime of betraying one’s country Puppet – leader who is not independent, who waits for orders or does what someone else tells him or her to do. Political reform – changes to make the government better.

3. Government in Upper Canada Two major political groups in Upper Canada were: • The Tories (also known as “The Conservatives”) (lead by the Family Compact) • The Reformers (wanted political reform)

4. Governor headed government in colonies Sent out from Britain Personal representative of monarch Depended on advice of his executive and legislative councilors Councilors always chosen from wealthy and influential people Who Were Chosen? Rulers of the Colony Judges United Empire Loyalists Bankers Business Men Clergy Lawyers Military Officers

5. Family compact (Tories) • A group of powerful, elite citizens who were members of the Legislative and Executive Councils • Most were from Loyalist descent and did not want Americans to be included in government or have any land • They believed that only people who had fought against the Americans could be true Upper Canadians • They did not like change and supported traditions • Believed the Church of England should be powerful • Were loyal to Britain and the British government

6. Bishop john strachan 1778-1867 • An Anglican who was born in Scotland and arrived in Upper Canada in 1799 where he taught school • He was a powerful advisor to the Family Compact • He and his friends controlled most of the government in Upper Canada Today there is a famous private girls’ school named after him in Toronto.

7. Many Aboriginals moved off to reserves (Francis Bond Head) Best land granted to members of Family Compact—often hundred’s of acres of beautiful water front property Best farmland in hands of non-farmers Clergy Reserves also upset farmers Anglican Church given huge tracts of prime land Land often undeveloped and new settlers stuck with poor land Land Issues in Upper Canada

8. Transportation Issues • Road conditions poor and impassable—couldn’t move farmers’ goods to markets • Gov’t spent money on canal building instead • Benefited Family Compact and business friends • Private businesses granted huge loans to build Welland Canal

9. The reformers...A push for change • A powerful group in Upper Canada who was against the Family Compact • They wanted changes in government and in the society of Upper Canada • They did not like how the Family Compact treated the Americans • They were divided into 2 groups: • Radicals: Wanting extreme change in society, politics and economy; wanted it right away; even using violence • Moderates: Wanting change but not extreme; through legal means

10. Tories Friends and supporters of the Family Compact Known as Conservatives or Tories Wanted to “conserve” existing form of government Approved Britain’s way of governing colonies Members of Legislative Council and Executive Council always chosen from this group Who Were the Tories?

11. Robert gourlay 1778-1863 • A reformer who was born in Scotland • His plan was to bring people over from Britain to farm • Farm land at the time was taken up by Crown Reserves, Clergy Reserves and land for the rich people • Many immigrant farmers were angry with the Family Compact because they owned large pieces of land • Gourlay was seen as a trouble maker by the Family Compact • He was banished from Upper Canada in 1819 (See page 145 for lots)

12. Gourlay’s Advertisement in britain

13. William lyon mackenzie 1795-1861 • A reformer who was born in Scotland • He created the newspaper The Colonial Advocate that he used to speak out against the Family Compact • He was elected into the Legislative Assembly but other members in the Assembly found him to be to radical and voted to expel him • The voters loved him and 6 times they re-elected him back into the Assembly • He became the first mayor of the city of Toronto in 1834 • He later became one of the leaders of the Armed Rebellions of 1837

14. Images of mackenzie

15. Sir francis bond head • Appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in 1835 • He had two Reformers in his group of advisors but ignored them • The Legislative Assembly did not want to cooperate with him because they supported the Reformers. • The Legislative Assembly stopped collecting money and work on infrastructure stopped. • He called for an election and fought for the Tories • The citizens were worried about the pro-American feelings the Reformers had and that work on infrastructure had stopped • In the end, they voted for the Tories and many Reformers lost any power they had previously gained (See page 155 for more information on Elections)

16. Election Violence • Election violence was common during the 1830s. There was no secret ballot like today. Instead people shouted their choice which usually resulted in shouts and insults. Voters often threw stones and swung clubs at one another.

17. Armed Rebellions in Upper Canada Pages 156-157

18. Who Were the Radical Reformers? • Wanted change immediately—including though violence • Many were restless moderate reformers • William Lyon Mackenzie urged independence from Britain • Hoped for empowered Legislative Assembly • In late 1837, Mackenzie made a “call to arms”

19. Mackenzie’s actions • Unhappy with the government in Upper Canada and wanting a government more like the one in the USA, Mackenzie decided to start an armed rebellion • Other reformers did not agree with him because he was too radical • He got 4000 people to sign a petition for a new government but when it was time to fight on December 5th 1837, only 800 men joined him.

20. Looking at this picture what do you think people thought of mackenzie?

21. The end of the rebellion • On December 6th 1837 the Colonial militia, fighting for the British Government went into Toronto and chased the rebels away • Mackenzie escaped to the USA were he tried to create another army of rebels • When the American Government heard about this they put him in jail for 11 months • The Americans did not want him to break the legal neutrality laws that now existed between them and BNA

22. The result of the rebellions • Both Upper and Lower Canada suffered because of their rebellions • In Lower Canada there was no Legislative Assembly for 4 years • In Upper Canada people were afraid to speak out because they would be called rebels and put to jail • The British Government was surprised with the rebellions • In response they send Lord Durham to investigate the causes to the rebellions and to offer solutions to the problems

23. HOMEWORK • Chapter 6 Paragraph • PEER EDIT • FINAL COPY DUE DEC. 2 FRIDAY • WILL GO OVER CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH • Major Assignment due Dec. 6 Tuesday • Chapter 7/8 Vocabulary due Dec. 9 Friday • Chapter 7/8 TEST Dec. 9 Friday