LOWER CANADA REBELLION

Recap: Habitants & Professional Men vs. Merchants & Chateau Clique Habitants- French speaking tenant farmers feared losing French language, Roman Catholic religion, and agricultural way of life due to new English-speaking newcomers Professional Men- French speaking educated people; wanted to preserve French language, Roman Catholic religion, and agricultural life Leader: Louis Joseph Papineau of political reform party- Parti Canadien

Recap: Habitants & Professional Men vs. Merchants & Chateau Clique Merchants- English speaking newcomers to Lower Canada; rich and powerful; wanted improvements (harbours, canals, roads) paid by government taxes Chateau Clique- Either British background or wealthy French Canadians who allied with British; wanted more English-speaking settlers and favoured British point of view

Causes of Discontent… Most conflict resulted from tensions between the French and English Ruling class was English majority of population was French Angered by British rule and lack of democracy French paying taxes with no say in government

…Causes of Discontent Chateau Clique controlled government and business supported by the church and wealthy French landowners Even leaders of reform movements came from seigneurial families French Canadians distrusted the English Felt Britain was trying to solve its “French Problem” by bringing in more English speaking immigrants

Issues of Reform Three Issues: 1. Discrimination against the French 2. Lack of representation in government 3. Taxes British Government made attempts to raise French farmers land taxes but leave businesses untouched Businesses were mostly owned by English Argued that: Assembly should control government budget Desired a democratic system

Louis Joseph Papineau Seigneur and lawyer Originally supported British rule Speaker of the Lower Canada Legislative Assembly Respected by both French and English members Leader of the radical reformers in Lower Canada Parti Canadiens (Patriotes)

Push for Reform James Craig was appointed governor in 1807 Openly anti-French Arrested those who criticized government Reformers ran a number of newspapers (The Vindicator and Le Canadien) Reformers were both English and French Wolfred Nelson was an English doctor, and Edmund O’Callaghan (of The Vindicator newspaper) was Irish.

Events Leading to Rebellion… “Union Proposal” in 1822 saw attempt to join Upper and Lower Canada and make English the official language of united colonies Lower Canadians turned bitter against government Papineau and other reformers submitted “Ninety-two Resolutions” in 1834 to the governor after French protestors were shot in Montreal Demanded major reform of government Would not pay taxes until concerns were resolved With no taxes, government workers would not get paid and any work on transportation improvements would have to stop

… Events Leading to Rebellion Lord John Russel, in charge of Colonial Office in Britain, replied with “Ten Resolutions” Britain refused the give the Legislative Assembly any more power and if they refused to give tax money to the Governor he now was given power to just take it Britain also continued to encourage immigration The Patriotes, led by Papineau openly rebelled against the government

The Rebellion Despite protests, nothing changed Radical militant group, Fils de la Liberte (Sons of Liberty) was established At a convention in Saint- Charles, reformers called for revolt

…The Rebellion Government sent out warrants for their arrest Principle Patriote leaders escaped to Montreal countryside Papineau fled to countryside, then escaped to the US

… The Rebellion 3. Patriotes defeated British troops in first battle in village called Saint- Denis Second battle at Saint- Charles was a disaster (between Patriotes were killed; Brits lost only 3) Prisoners rounded up and sent to jail in Montreal Brits torched 20 houses and barns

… The Rebellion At Saint Eustache fleeing Patriotes took refuge in a church 1500 British troops set it on fire 70 Patriotes were shot or burned to death The town was then set on fire Arrested all leaders they could catch Papineau who escaped to the US was to be executed if he tried to return to British North America The rebellion started in November and ended in December of 1837

Aftermath of the Rebellion Many blamed the Catholic church for its lack of support The church encouraged parishioners to remain loyal to Britain Encouraged by American supporters, Patriotes prepared for a second rebellion attempted in 1838 Very disorganized and poorly supplied Lost support after many took part in looting Montreal countryside Patriotes scattered when approached by large British division

Open Book Quiz Tomorrow 2.2 Notes- Life in Lower Canada Life in Lower Canada Handout with Question Sheet 2.3 Note: Lower Canada Rebellion

Rebellion Newspaper Headline Due: Thursday (end of class at latest)

Class/Homework Question 1. What happened to the rebels? Do you think this was fair? Why/why not? 2. In your opinion, do you think the rebellion was successful? Explain in a well written paragraph.