The Chateau Clique & the Patriotes Lower Canada: The Chateau Clique & the Patriotes

Introduction In lower Canada there were two opposing groups: The Canadiens: French speaking majority in Lower Canada Vs. The Chateau Clique: Wealthy, English speaking, British settlers in Upper Canada Business/merchant class

I. Struggles in Lower Canada Boundaries of the Quebec Act of 1774 I. Struggles in Lower Canada Had similar struggles in Upper Canada in addition to: Concerned with preserving their ‘Canadien’ culture that they felt was being threatened by the English-speaking immigrants & Chateau In Lower Canada the roots of the conflict lay in the history of Quebec Recall from earlier that the following Acts protected the culture of French Canada Quebec Act 1774 Constitutional Act of 1791 Cultural division according to the Constitutional Act

II. POWER OF THE CHATEAU CLIQUE Favoured the building of canals to link the factories of Montreal and Quebec to markets in Upper Canada – how would farmers feel about more canals? Wanted the ‘Canadien’ population to adopt a British way of life Blocked efforts of reformers to achieve responsible government Angered that the Canadien-dominated Assembly blocked free trade & commerce to Upper Canada

III. Frustration OF THE Chateau Clique towards the Canadiens The Canadiens did not see the necessity of trade as their emphasis was on farming & the fur trade –the existing economic system which made them self-sufficient in that region. (The clique wanted to focus on their methods of trade, that only the rich could afford). Increased taxation to then burden the struggling French farmer and only benefit the wealthy British merchant class Note the lack of roads connecting the two colonies…

IV. Frustration of the Canadiens towards the chateau clique: Saw the British as arrogant conquerors Chateau Clique had power & privileges Felt the best land went to English-speaking immigrants Feared that the Chateau Clique’s low opinion of the Canadiens would result in the British forcing assimilation of the Canadiens. Angry at taxation and trade policies set out by government (did not benefit them).

V. UNREST Government was in the hands of English Speakers The French believed their only connection to the Government (Catholic Church) had ‘sold them out’ to English interests. Believed that Britain was discriminating against them: English Immigrants were brining disease (cholera…) across to “kill them” No more Quebec Act, afraid Britain would try to assimilate them. The Canadiens were getting frustrated because no change was happening

VI. CANADIENS CALL FOR CHANGE IN Lower Canada Wanted a democratic government Called themselves The Patriotes the radical Group, led by Louis Joseph Papineau (lawyer) Led the Parti Canadien to earn 80% of the seats in the Legislative Assembly called for an elected legislative council in Lower Canada sought all the same powers & privileges enjoyed by the British parliament. list of 92 resolutions outlining Canadien grievances over the way the colony was governed

Complete the chart (only up to #5) the on the causes of the Lower rebellion. COLONY UPPER CANADA LOWER CANADA 1. OLIGARCHY: Family Compact Wealthy elite Loyalists Believed…. Chateau Clique English Elite French Elite Believed… 2. Canadien LEADER Mackenzie Papineau 3. RELIGION 4. REFORMIST DEMANDS 5. DIRECT CAUSES OF THE REBELLIONS 6. BATTLES 7. RESULTS 8. ABORIGINALS

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TASK With a partner, you must decide whether you are a writer for the Pro-Patriote newspaper, The Vindicator OR the Reformist newspaper The Colonial Advocate. Your boss has just asked you to design a new front page for tomorrow’s newspaper. Using your knowledge about the frustrations in Upper or Lower Canada design a front page that appeals to your target audience (the reformers/radicals/patriotes etc.) Creativity is encouraged, but historical accuracy is most important! Your article must include: An interesting headline & appropriate date (Fall 1837) /4 Picture (drawing) of a specific issue that appeals to your target audience (e.g. scarcity of land, increasing # of English, no representation in government) /10 Brief description outlining the issues in your picture, and/ or details involving other issues at the time. /5 Authenticity (make it seem like a newspaper clipping from the 1830s) /6 TOTAL /25