Political Movements in BNA

Proclamation Act of 1763 “The Assimilation Act” Officially established the Province of Quebec French Laws were abolished. Had to swear an oath “Serment du Test” to the Anglican Church in order to participate in law b/c if you were Roman Catholic you were not able to hold ‘public office’ Quebecs Boundaries were restricted to the St. Lawrence valley and one would have to ask permission/permit to travel West of these boudaries

Proclamation Act 1763 cont. Set up an area for First Nations ppl in the Ohio Valley Region (basically to keep FN and colonists separate…keeping conflicts at bay) Settlement West of this land was restricted (land was –Proclamation Line (pp. 113) by the Govt. and ownership of these lands could only be negotiated through the British Crown, thus hoping ppl looking to settle would go North to Quebec and eventually help in forcing the ASSIMILATION of the French into British Culture

Quebec Act 1774 Unrest in the Southern 13 colonies Revoked the ‘Assimilation Act of 1763’ and enlarged the size of Quebec into the Ohio Valley (see map page 115) Gave back French language rights as well as allowing RC’s to take part in some roles of Govt. Reinstated French Property and civil law but NOT criminal laws. Tithe to the Catholic church was re-instated (Church officials felt more secure as did Seigneurs with the civil laws….2 important elite groups of society…smart!)

Quebec Act 1774 Still however, kept the Govt power with the Appointed Councils and did not have elected assemblies English in BNA were enraged as they felt they were not living in the ‘English BNA that they immigrated to’ and the 13 colonies were upset too as this was just one of the “Intolerable Acts’ that the Britain had passed since the mid 1760’s, including many related to taxation (13 colonies were taxed on Tea, paper, stamps etc to pay for the British Army-not even in NA) The act appeared to be an abuse of Britain’s power on the colonies and seemed to warn of potential losses on their own political, economical and social rights.

Constitutional Act of 1791 Arrival of the Loyalists increased the English/Protestant population This new act recognized that there were now two dominant groups in the colony: English and French. Each having different religious, political, legal, economic and land-owning traditions. Two separate colonies were created: – Upper Canada- Ontario – Lower Canada- Quebec Each maintaining their own language, laws, land- owning system, and religious institutions. (however Protestant churches were given preferential land grants :p)

Constitutional Act 1791 Each had their own Capital city. Quebec City and Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) A Governor APPOINTED by Britain would oversee the Govt. in each colony A Lieutenant Governor was also APPOINTED and he would APPOINT his legislative and executive council. Each colony would have an “ELECTED Assembly” but their decisions could be BLOCKED OR VETO’D by the APPOINTED councils or the Governor General. OLIGARCHY – see page 131 for Representative structure

Act of Onion (oops I mean Union!) 1841 – as a result of Lord Durhams Report 2 recommendations – unite Upper and Lower and have Responsible Govt. – united Upper and Lower Canada into the United Province of Canada – Lower Canada = Canada East – Upper Canada = Canada West One Governor, one elected assembly and one language = English Draw Responsible Government structure……..