CHAPTER 4 BRITISH NORTH AMERICA 1760 1867 BRITISH

CHAPTER 4 BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 1867

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Following the Conquest, the British were faced with a real dilemma in Quebec; how to govern a colony in which most people were French-speaking, Catholic and used to institutions far different from those in other British colonies n Britain decided upon assimilation n They felt that English-Protestant-Capitalist would be the eventual dominant culture in North America

The Royal Proclamation 1763

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Reasons for Passing the Royal Proclamation n Following the Conquest of New France, the British passed the Royal Proclamation in 1763 n The British were faced with governing a French-speaking colony within British North America

Pontiac’s Uprising n n Following the fall of Quebec and the Treaty of Paris, jurisdiction over the West and the Ohio Valley passed to the British. This change of allegiance alarmed Aboriginal tribes. Native tribes had previously enjoyed a level of equality and harmony with the French, shown by the high numbers of intermarriage. By contrast, Native tribes had learned to mistrust the English and feared increased intrusion into lands the French had left for them.

n n n In response to this tension, a Native uprising led by Ottawa chieftain Pontiac began in early 1763. Although successful in capturing 8 British forts and inflicting massive casualties, Pontiac’s forces could not take the strongholds of Detroit and Fort Pitt. Pontiac’s Rebellion would last until 1766.

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 The Intent of the Royal Proclamation n Assimilation of the French population to British culture n Following Pontiac’s uprising, the land west of the Appalachians was reserved for the Aboriginal people in hope of avoiding a costly Indian war

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Terms of the Royal Proclamation n land west of the Appalachian Mountains was reserved for the Aboriginal people n Quebec was reduced in size n British-style government was imposed on the Canadiens with an elected assembly n the British legal system was imposed n Protestantism replaced Catholicism

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Historical Significance of the Royal Proclamation n It showed the Canadiens that the British government could not be trusted to protect French culture n It created resentment among the Thirteen Colonies because it disallowed westward expansion into the Ohio River valley. This Act would fuel anti-British sentiment

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Reasons for Passing the Quebec Act 1774 n Reaction to unrest in the Thirteen Colonies

The Quebec Act 1774

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 The Intent of the Quebec Act n With growing unrest in the Thirteen Colonies, the British intended to mend relations with the Canadiens

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Terms of the Quebec Act n Reversal of the Royal Proclamation n Quebec was enlarged n British-style government was imposed on the Canadiens with an elected assembly n French Civil Law replaced the British legal system n Freedom of worship for Catholics

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Historical Significance of the Quebec Act n The Act allowed the Canadiens to retain their French culture n It protected French-Catholic identity within British North America

The Constitutional Act 1791

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 The Intent of the Constitutional Act n Protect BNA against potential American aggression n To provide familiar British-style rule for the newly arrived Loyalists

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Terms of the Constitutional Act n Divide the colony of Quebec into two sections based on ethnic lines – Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) n Each colony would be governed by an appointed Governor and Executive Council, and an elected Legislative Assembly

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Terms of the Constitutional Act n Reserved land (Crown reserves) was used to pay for the colony’s expenses n British landholding and legal systems were implemented in Upper Canada n Preservation of French-Catholic rights is Lower Canada

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 - 1867 Historical Significance of the Constitutional Act n Confirmed the existence of a French. Catholic province in Confederation n Provide the framework for Confederation

Match the provision with the Act n n When you see a provision or statement put up on the screen, tell me which Act it is from; The Royal Proclamation The Quebec Act The Constitutional Act

Enlarged the size of Quebec n The Quebec Act!

Set aside all lands west of the Great Lakes for Aboriginal tribes n The Royal Proclamation

1774 n The Quebec Act

Divide the colony of Quebec into two sections based on ethnic lines – Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) n The Constitutional Act

Freedom of worship for Catholics n The Quebec Act

1763 n The Royal Proclamation

Triggered in part by Pontiac’s Uprising n The Royal Proclamation

Each colony would be governed by an appointed Governor and Executive Council, and an elected Legislative Assembly n The Constitutional Act

It created resentment among the Thirteen Colonies because it disallowed westward expansion into the Ohio River valley. This Act would fuel anti-British sentiment n The Royal Proclamation

Quebec was reduced in size n The Royal Proclamation

Reversal of the Royal Proclamation n The Quebec Act

British landholding and legal systems were implemented in Upper Canada n The Constitutional Act

British landholding and legal systems were implemented in Upper Canada Preservation of French-Catholic rights is Lower Canada n The Constitutional Act