CanadaFrench Exploration to the War of 1812

Map Showing Imperial Context in North America before the 1763 Treaty of Paris

     

                                                

North America After 1763 Treaty of Paris

Map Showing Main Indian Groups in Contact with the French in the Great Lakes region

                                                                         

Map Showing Main Indian Groups in Contact with the

French in the St. Lawrence Valley

                       

                                                          

New France:“the history of an unfilled dream”

Inconsistent support from king Struggles to grow population 1534: Jacques Cartier leads first French

exploration 1608: Samuel de Champlain establishes

Quebec settlement First permanent European settlement: trading

post and embassy Champlain pushed settlement

Habitation at Quebec, built 1608

Coureurs des Bois/Voyageurs

Fur Trade: Beaver Hats

New France Religious presence: opportunity to

convert natives First Jesuits arrived in 1625 Supported by French crown and New France

authorities After 1665: renewed interest in

mercantilist potential of New France Focus on production of raw materials Bullion; protection; population Desire to compete with English colonies

Filles du Roi

Seigneurial System

Quebec Act 1764

American Revolution

Post American Revolution 1776-1867: colonies of modern Canada

known as “British North America” British question their attitude toward

democracy and colonies (having learned the folly of heavy taxes, too much democracy & economic development)

British Parliament debate:Whigs: Be generous, even increase colonial

autonomyRadicals: Get rid of colonial burdenTories (Conservatives): discourage democracy,

maintain empire The Result: Tories Prevail

Constitutional Act of 1791New plan to manage empire:

1. “Divide & Rule”- Keep colonies small and dependent; thus, Create new provinces

New Brunswick Nova Scotia (Cape Breton added in 1820) Prince Edward Island Lower Canada (future Quebec) Upper Canada (future Ontario)NOTE: Newfoundland still more of a territory

ruled by a separate governor

1. Divide and Rule: New ProvincesA. The Maritimes: Nova Scotia,

New Brunswick, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Isle. Divide Nova Scotia Many Loyalists (New Brunswick

created for Loyalists) Few new immigrants Naval, government posts,

privileged trading position Will be slow to resist British rule

The Maritimes

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia

1. Divide and Rule: New ProvincesB. Lower Canada (Modern Quebec): East and actually more North (It’s

the River!) French: kept French civil law,

privileges of Catholic Church, seigniorial tenure

Small farms British merchant minority Few new immigrants Growth by births

For Comparison: The U.S. 1800

1. Divide and Rule: New Provinces C. Upper Canada: (Modern Ontario)

West Thinly populated, but fastest growing New lands for new immigrants Loyalist- want English law and escape from

the seigniorial system “Poor Man’s Country”

York (present day Toronto), Upper Canada 1804York was founded in 1793

Constitutional Act of 1791 2. “Restrained Republicanism” Establish representative government

assemblies in each colony, but keep them weak

Strengthen the power of the crown appointed colonial executive appointed legislative council for each

colony

Constitutional Act of 1791 3. Establish a colonial aristocracy/

oligarchy to preserve traditional, conservative values. Relatives in office provide consistency Educated elite Civic minded Patronage creates loyalty Patriarchal- treat as children Thus….

The Family Compact (Upper Canada)Chateau Clique (Lower Canada) a popular name for a small clique of wealthy,

powerful men who dominated The Canadas from the late-18th to mid-19th century

English commercial class controlled the government monopolized political offices strongly influenced banking, land grant issues,

education, the courts, and Anglican church affairs

Constitutional Act 1791 4. Establish and support the Anglican Church

to preserve traditional, conservative ideals vs. radicalism

Clergy reserves in Upper Canada:1/7 of crown-public lands reserved for support of Protestant clergy

Anglican church powerful and state-endowed

Crown and Clergy Reserves: Map of Newtown, Upper Canada 1800 showing 1/7 of land held for clergy reserves and 1/7 to produce government revenue

Constitutional Act of 1791 5. Encourage disdain for U.S. and democracy.

“Rivalry” to build ties to England. At first all content Lower Canada: French used to authoritarian rule,

protected under British, feared alien Americans Upper Canada: Loyalists Weak condition of Canada After 1812 start to discourage U.S. immigration by

land ownership restrictions -7 year wait.