The Rebellions of 1837 1838 Lower Canada 1830

The Rebellions of 1837 -1838

Lower Canada 1830 s: 2 groups 1. The Business class (bourgeoisie): – – – Rich $$$ Language English Origins British ‘Montrealers’ ‘Tory Party’ Political Group

Lower Canada 1830 s: 2 groups 2. ‘Canadien Party’ or ‘Les Patriotes’: – Professional Class (lawyers, docters, etc. ) – Mostly French, some English – Leaders : P. Bédard and L. -J. Papineau. – Used newspapers to get their ideas across: • ‘Le Canadien’, ‘La Minerve’

Steps of the 1837 -38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) • Infrastructures = Roads, canals, public buildings, etc. • Arguments over WHO pays for them • Tory Party wants to tax the general public to pay for certain infrastructures in Lower Canada this helps the rich get richer • Patriotes do not want the public to pay for the infrastructure

Steps of the 1837 -38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) • Tory Party want to control finances to benefit the members of the Tory Party • Tory Party want to assimilate the French Canadiens • Tory Party want the main language of the assembly to be English • Tory Party Want to unite with Upper Canada to dilute the power of the French Canadiens

Steps of the 1837 -38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) • Leaders of the Patriotes are not happy with the Tory Party • The Patriotes (Papineau and Bédard) will propose the 92 RÉSOLUTIONS • 92 Résolutions a document list of complaints and demands of the Patriotes

Steps of the 1837 -38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) • 92 Résolutions sent to England • England responds with a « NO » • England responds with the « 10 Russell Resolutions » • Upper Canada also wants changes (Mc. Kenzie)

Steps of the 1837 -38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) Military failure of the Patriotes • 1837 win the battle of St. -Denis, but lose the battle of St. -Foy and St. -Eustache • 1838 lose battles, lots of imprisonments and 12 hangings • Revolt of the Patriotes failure

Reactions to the uprising • Business class: hostile towards the Patriotes • Clergy: Against the uprising do not want to lose privileges gained in 1774 • Professional class: Leading members of the Patriotes (support) • Artisans / habitants: Support Patriotes **UPPER CANADA: • W. L. Mackenzie and his supporters are defeated lose popular support

CONCLUSION : • The 1837 -38 rebellions are caused by : – Political reasons: need for responsible government – Power: fight for power between the business class and the professional classes – Economic crisis: Pour agricultural returns

LORD DURHAM

THE DURHAM REPORT AND THE ACT OF UNION Durham Report (1839) discusses problems in the 2 Canadas Lower Canada: Racial despute Les Canadiens (French) – … “People without history or literature” – … ignorant agricultures' – … inferior (not English) English – … Control administration – … Control commerce – … Are superior

THE DURHAM REPORT AND THE ACT OF UNION Solutions of the report: – Legislative union for both Canadas long term assimilation of French – Responsible government executive power by elected officials

THE DURHAM REPORT AND THE ACT OF UNION (1840) • One government for the 2 Canadas • Why? – Makes the French Canadiens a politcal minority – Assures the economic development of the St. Lawrence Majority will vote in favor of this

1791 1841

ad st E a n Ca Canada Ouest

ECONOMIC RESULTS AFTER THE ACT OF UNION • No more PROTECTIONNISM • Canada had preferred rates for selling wheat / timber • “Corn laws” & “Timber laws” • This is now gone. . .

ECONOMIC RESULTS AFTER THE ACT OF UNION • Improved infrastructure Canals • Canals along St-Lawrence improve transportation of goods between Kingston and Montreal • Construction of a railway system (Grand-Trunk Railway) between Sarnia and Riviere-du-Loup • With these developments, more difficult for the United states to steal business

ECONOMIC RESULTS AFTER THE ACT OF UNION • Reciprocity Treaty (1854 -1864) • Free trade agreement between the United States and Canada • No duties for goods travelling across the border • Butter, wood, fish, flour…. CONCLUSION • Canada-West(Ontario) seems to be favored after the Act of Union.