Planting the Seed of Nationhood 1815-1855

1. Planting the Seed of Nationhood 1815-1855 Why were some events in Canada’s history key in allowing us to become a nation? Group 2

2. Who occupied each colony in Upper and Lower Canada Lower Canada • Population increased from: 250 000 in 1806 to 717 000 in 1841 • Very high Birthrates among French speaking population • In addition British and American immigrants settled the eastern townships that had been set aside for English speaking farmers Upper Canada • Before 1812 loyalists settled upper Canada • After 1812 a wave of settlers from great Brittan took their place • Population Increased from: 71 000 in 1806 to 432 000 in 1841 • 1815 the population was 80% American born • 1841 almost 50% British immigrants

3. Upper and Lower Canada Life in Lower Canada • Male ruling society • 3 major groups- French Speaking Habitants, French Speaking Professional Men, and English Speaking Merchants • The French scared of Adapting to the English way of life • Merchants were newcomers of lower Canada • Wanted roads, and harbours-paid from government taxes • Professional Men well educated, wanted to lead the colonies • Saw British as cultural threat formed a party called “ parti canadiens”

4. 3 main groups • French Speaking Habitants (Tenant Farmers) – Main Concern: Scarcity of Land, Poverty, Fear of English Speaking new comers • English Speaking Merchants (Rich, Powerful) – Main Concern: Infrastructure • French Speaking Professional Men (Newest “Group”) – Separate French/ Canadian nation Life in Upper Canada Daily Life in Upper Canada • More fields were cleared in Upper Canada • Villages began to grow in places that were not convenient for farmers Kingston • Developed as a British military for lake Ontario • Was the largest and most important town in Upper Canada for many years York • Queen’s rangers began clearing land to build a fort in 1793 • In 1834, it was renamed Toronto

5. Services in the Towns • By the 1840’s cities were installing sewer systems • In the 1820’s and 1830’s started to establish volunteer fire departments Transportation • Walking was often the safest and fastest way to get around • Unpaved streets in towns were unpaved streets turned to mud Louis-Joseph Papineau • Strong supporter of the old French order in Lower Canada • Served as a officer in the military defending British North America during the war of 1812 • Elected to be in the legislative assembly of Lower Canada in 1809 • Leader of Parti Candien

6. Government of Upper and Lower Canada Government of Lower Canada • Established by Constitutional act in 1791 • Power limited by governors and councils • Members of legislative councils were voted in for life • English concerns were usually different from French concerns • The group which the most power was Chateau Clique • Believed that power should be in hands of a few capable people • Wanted the Roman Catholic church to stay power Government of Upper Canada • In 1830 government remained the same as the constitutional act in 1791 • Two political groups the Torries and the Reformers • Appointed Legislative council to Executive council • Elected the Legislative Assembly

7. The Unrest in Lower Canada • French and English speaking merchants wanted different things for lower Canada • Merchants wanted to improve roads, canals and harbours • Immigration caused problems • Chateau Clique was encouraging immigration from great Britain • In 1832 and immigrant ship brought a deadly disease, cholera • The disease 5500 victims

8. The armed Rebellion in Upper and Lower Canada Lower Canada • An armed conflict between lower Canada and the British Colonial, power of that province • The political leader was Joseph Papinea • The Canadians were ready to fight on November 1837 • British troops charged and the Rebellions lost • The largest battle was held at St. Eustach on December 14, 1837 • The Rebel leader, Dr. J.Q. Chenier along with rebels died • The British robbed and burned their village Upper Canada • Rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838 • After the war of 1812 family compact owned most land “Crown Reserves” and “Protestant Clergy” • The lower Canada broke out in autumn 1837 Bond Head sent all British troops to help suppress it • Short Fight (less than 30 minutes) the battle finished and the rebel forces retreated • 1860’s former rebels compensated by the Canadian government

9. Family Compact • Upper Canada has an elite called Family Compact • Was a small group of powerful people in the colony of upper Canada • Along with friends and supporters were know as Tories • Did not want Americans to be part of the government in Upper Canada • Defended tradition (The things that had always been done) and opposed change • Believed power should be in the hands of a few capable people (themselves) • Believed the church of England should be powerful in the colony • Were loyal to great Brittan and the British government • They had power to stop any laws passed by the legislative assembly • Most Family Compact members were British immigrants who arrived before the 1800’s

10. The Reformers What did they oppose? • Opposed the power of the Family Compact • Wanted changes in government and society of Upper Canada • Divided into moderate and radical groups • Included some radicals who later became rebels • Robert Gurley (1778-1863) arrived in Upper Canada in 1817 • His plan was to bring poor people to farm in New Britain • He sent a questionnaire famers to see hoe their progress was • He also asked them to name thing that prevented in their towns • He criticized Family Compact

11. Aftermath of the Rebellion • Upper Canada was very short and disorganized • London government was concerned about Rebellion • Bond Head was recalled in 1837 he was replaced with Sir George Arthur • Lord Durham assigned to report grievances among the colonists and find a way to appease them • Lord Durham’s report led to the union of Upper and Lower Canada into the province of Canada in 1840

12. Lord Durham’s Report Two Major recommendations in his report are: • The two colonies should become one called the United Province of Canada • The United Colony should have a responsible government • The British imperial poers(?) should be sent out in writing. All other legal poer(?) • Would be handled by the colonies Executive council and would be advised • The governor stayed neutral but signed things by the executive council • The executive council was not picked from the government but was chosen by leaders of other groups (legislative assembly) this is called “Responsible government” • Members of the executive council would stay in the council if half of the legislative assembly supports them Personal Information • 1792-1840 • Arrived in Quebec city as a governor general of British north America in 1838 • Interested in education the poor

13. The Act of Union (1841) • Since the Rebellion wanted a better and responsible government British passed a law called the Act of Union • British government acted on one of Lord Durham’s recommendations • The act of union joined in Upper and Lower Canada as the united province • The two aims of the British were to control the two colonies of Canada into one and give the English people control of the newly named colony and to have a new colony with a responsible government • They also established English as the official language of government

14. References ec.europa.eu/education/img/flags/canada.gif www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/h2/f1/nlc006838-v6.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Canada_upper_lower_map.PNG/800px-Canada_upper_lower_map. PNGcanadawiki.org/images/d/d5/Simcoeuppercanada.jpg www.cmhg.gc.ca/.../med/v2_c4_s17_ss04_01.jpg www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/director/gleason.jpg www.westminster.gov.uk/.../celebrating21.jpg homepages.ius.edu/raastron/Pics/farmers.jpg www.lbpsb.qc.ca/~history/m4u3l1.htm www.freewebs.com/.../whatwaslowercanada.htm www.joyceimages.com/images/Bank%20Royal%20Visit.JPG