Grade 7 Social Studies Chapter 6

How did people try to change the government?  There were 3 main ways: 1. They used the media to spread the word about the need for change. 2. They would use violent threats (kill or harm) against others if they never got the changes they wanted. 3. Became active in politics and pressured the government to change.

Often political meetings would result in disagreements or arguments because people were starting to get fed up with the people in power and wanted a change.

Government in the Colonies  The head of the government was either a governor or a lieutenant-governor. They made sure the colony was ran the best way for Britain.  The governor or a lieutenant-governor got help from colonists he appointed (chose) to the Legislative and Executive Councils. The people appointed were always British males who were part of the Church of England and the elite. Others were appointed if they were professional men or merchants. These people were chosen because they were most loyal to Britain.

Government in the Colonies  The Legislative Assembly suggested bills (an idea for a law) to the Legislative Council.  The Legislative Assembly were made up of professional men and merchants but not always part of the elite.  The Voters had to be Over 21 years of age Male A British citizen Had to own land or pay a certain amount of rent for a home.

Representative Colonial Governments, mid 1830’s Legislative Assembly The Voters Monarch (King or Queen) Government of Great Britain Lieutenant-Governor or Governor Executive CouncilLegislative Council

The Push for Change  Some people started to resent the power the elite had.  It was not the disempowered groups (poverty, minority) that took action.  Professional people and merchants had the education, money and time to get involved. They were called Reformers (reform means to change something for the better).

Responsible Government  Responsible government meant that members would be elected (voted), not appointed (chosen).  Many thought that responsible government would break the power of the elite.  People hoped that colonists would elect a government that would represent the majority, not just the elite.  People who had power (the elite), did not agree with this.

Taking Sides: The Churches  The 2 main churches in BNA had a big influence on what people thought and how they voted.  The church thought the system would work well if the English ran the politics and the church guided people’s lives, spiritual needs and education.

Taking Sides: The Newspapers  Newspapers and word of mouth were the only way to get news to people.  Newspapers were more valuable back then, than they are now.  The editor would give opinions on political issues and who people should vote for.  Sometimes facts were exaggerated or very biased (one-sided).

Joseph Howe  Published the Novascotian newspaper.  He tested the freedom of the press (newspaper’s right to print anything that is true).  He was brought to court for “telling lies.”  He did not write the letter, but he had published it.  Howe talked his way out of a fine/jail time by saying how unfair the elite power was.  Howe was elected to the Assembly the following year.

Rebellion in the Canadas  A rebellion is when the people turn against the government of a country in a violent way.

Issues in Lower Canada  The Reformers (try to change something for the good) in Lower Canada were called the Parti Patriote.  Farmers worried they would lose their land and French worried they would lose their language/culture.  Poor crops lead to starvation and people felt the government was not doing enough to help during hard times.  Leader of the Parti Patriote – Louis-Joseph Papineau.

Issues in Upper Canada  Reformers complained how government money was being spent.  Money was being spent to benefit the wealthy and the elite.  Land was also an issue, the biggest and best pieces of land were saved for the elite.  Many families also faced starvation.  Leader of the Reformers in Upper Canada - William Lyon Mackenzie.

The Rebellion in Lower Canada  Started on November 23,  The government heard that people were thinking of a rebellion so they started arresting people.  Louis-Joseph Papineau (their leader) went into hiding.  The British troops easily beat the Patriotes because they had more access to weapons and other resources.  By the end, 800 Patriotes were sent to jail, 12 were hanged and 58 sent to prison in other colonies.

The Rebellion in Upper Canada  William Lyon Mackenzie heard British soldiers were busy fighting in Lower Canada, he decided to act.  Started early in December 1837 and officially ended in  The government in Upper Canada organized a militia (citizens but not professional soldiers).  Again, the militia easily defeated the rebels because of their lack of weapons and training.  880 rebels arrested, 20 were hanged, 92 were sent to jail in other colonies and 26 banished (not allowed to live in Canada).

After the Rebellions  After the rebellions were over, the British government sent Lord Durham to check things out.  There are 2 main points of the Durham report: 1. Join the colonies in Upper Canada and in Lower Canada and make it the Province of Canada. (Which they did) 2. Give the Province of Canada a responsible government (let them vote for their own government). They did not do this.