British North Americain the years leading to Confederation

Setting the Stage

Setting the StageUntil the American Revolution, British North

America was dominated by:French immigrants (some Acadians)MétisFirst Nations

Traditional systems of French law and land ownership predominated

The Catholic Church was the primary religious institution

The American Revolution (1775-1783)After the revolution, approximately 70,000

American loyalists immigrated to Eastern Canada; around half settling in Nova Scotia

Results:A large Anglophone population gets intermingled

with French CanadiansTensions among these American immigrants

with French civil law and French societyArrival of many English-speaking British

merchantsWho do you believe is the most threatened by

these changes?

The Constitution Act of 1791

The Constitution Act of 1791Divided the province of Quebec into Upper

and Lower CanadaUpper Canada = followed British laws and

was largely EnglishLower Canada = followed French laws and

was largely French

Could there be tensions in this system?

The Constitution Act of 1791

Upper Canada Lower CanadaConcerned that

French Canadians had too much political power

Appreciated their allowance to follow British laws and customs

Benefited from trade with Britain

Concerned that French would be overshadowed by Anglophone power and rights for protestants

This act is the foundation of French-Canadian nationalismThey are given a

‘homeland’ – Lower Canada

The Constitution Act of 1791The act, however, did create a political

impasse:A governor appointed by Britain was in

charge of the colony of Canada; however there was an elected assembly in Canada

The elected assembly could block the motions of the government; but the government could do exactly the same

With both sides blocking each other’s motions – things ground to a halt

The War of 1812“The war both Canada and the USA won…”British warships had been seizing American

ships and pressing sailors into service, among other grievancesUltimately the United States declared war on

Britain (and British North America by extent)Due to the rapid expansion of American

settlers, many Native Americans had been displaced; thus their leader, Tecumseh, joined the British

The War of 1812“I believe that in four weeks from the time a declaration of war is heard on our frontier, the whole of Upper Canada and a part of Lower Canada will be in our power” – John Calhoun, 1812

The War of 1812Ultimately, the British and “Canadian”

forces prevailedThe Americans were extremely afraid of

Tecumseh and his aboriginal forcesBritish volunteer hit-and-run tactics

frustrated the AmericansThe British volunteers wisely planted

themselves in superior geographic locations and strategic points

The celebration of the war of 1812 is a significant form of Canadian nationalism

The War of 1812

Results•Unified Canada – English and French Canadians fought side-by-side•Loyalism – Canada retained its conservative ideology and ties with the British•Immigration from the USA drops – immigrants now come from Europe

Rebellions of 1837Let’s return to the Constitution Act of 1791.

Traditional British methods of ruling failed in CanadaThe Political Impasse

Several reformers attempted to enact change, notably William Lyon MackenzieHe was a radical though

A new election was held and the reformers were voted outThe Anglican Church

Traditionally, the church was one of the largest land owners

Land rent was used as a way to support the churchBut in Canada, land was cheapAlso, many immigrant farmers were not AnglicanTHUS most farmers DID NOT want to rent from the church

Rebellions of 1837:Mackenzie’s Plot

In 1837, Mackenzie plotted to march on TorontoNote: this happens in Upper

CanadaHis forces were surrounded at a

tavern and his soldiers fledMackenzie left Canada and tried

to organize an uprising in the USA, but it amounted to nothing

This rebellion ended quickly and with minimal bloodshed

Rebellions of 1837:Lower Canada

The Lower Canada Rebellion on the other hand was drawn out, and bloodyIt was fueled by ethnic, cultural, and language

disagreements (which are near and dear to many people’s hearts)

Focused on:Economic disenfranchisement of the French

majorityUnfairness of colonial governing – most leaders in

Lower Canada were English speaking businessmen

Union of Canadas: Durham ReportIn response to the rebellions, the

Ear of Durham was sent to investigate the colonial grievances

He was only in Canada briefly, but gave these recommendationsUnite the two CanadasPromote Responsible

Government in the United Canada

Britain agreed to unite the Canadas, but not to the governmental reforms

Union of Canadas: Durham Report“There can hardly be considered a nationality

more destitute…they are a people with no history and literature.” – Lord Durham talking about French Canadians

Although Durham had some good ideas, especially responsible government, he held several intolerant views of French Canadians

In fact, it has been argued that he wanted to unite Canada to ensure a French-Canadian minority

1841: Act of Union

With the Act of Union, Upper and Lower Canada are combined into one territory: Canada•An election must be held to determine the governing group•And, Canadian reformers are hard at work, striving for Responsible Government

The Reformers: Responsible GovernmentRobert BaldwinFrom a wealthy family,

and a member of the Anglican church

Resisted the religious and political oligarchy in Canada

He and his father recommended responsible government to Lord DurhamWanted to see unity in

Canada

The Reformers: Responsible GovernmentLouis La FontaineWas a French-

Canadian jurist and a statesman

After the rebellions of 1837, he advocated political reforms under the Act of Union

Act of Union: An Unlikely Alliance

https://www.historica-dominion.ca/content/heritage-minutes/baldwin-lafontaine

In the election of 1841, La Fontaine’s supporters were prevented from votin

Baldwin offered La Fontaine a seat in York (Toronto)La Fontaine ran and was

elected!Several years later, he returned

the favour and Baldwin was elected in French Canada

Act of Union: An Unlikely Alliance

Why are these men significant?Showed a close respect for unity

between the two major ethnicities in Canada

Were the leaders of the first elected government in the united Canada

The Baldwin-La Fontaine government fought for:Restoration of the official status of

French as a languageResponsible GovernmentDouble-Majority vote

Act of Union: Key TermsResponsible Government

A system of government based on accountability; but in Canada the focus was on the idea of self-government

There would be two houses:Lower House – elected, more numerousUpper House – representative of the aristocracyNote: this mimics the British system

Double MajorityVotes must be passed with at least a 2/3

majority

Act of Union: Final ThoughtsThe 1841 Act of Union laid the groundwork

for Canadian nationalismFoundations of Responsible GovernmentJoint English/French government with

Baldwin and La FontaineHowever, the Act of Union was not

appreciated by Lower Canadians, due to the diminishment of their culture and language