4.2 The Societies of Lower Canada and Upper Canada, 1791 to 1840

I. The Canadien Population – Lower Canada Growth of the Canadien Population A high rate of natural growth allowed the Canadien population to increase consistently from 160 000 in 1791 to 600 000 by 1840 Most Canadiens were farmers, craftspeople & labourers There were also members of the Catholic clergy, seigneurs and members of the professional bourgeoisie

II. Overpopulation of seigneuries & its consequences In the early 19th century seigneuries (farmland) were becoming overpopulated

II. Overpopulation of seigneuries & its consequences Consequences of Overpopulation New Regions were opened up for colonization: Vallée du Richelieu Beauce Bas-Saint-Laurent Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean (see document #21, page 199)

New regions of colonization

Migration to cities overpopulation forced many people to start settling in urban areas The Candiens began working in factories Emigration to the United States Many families moved to the U.S.A. for job opportunities in factories, farms or logging camps Mainly settled in Vermont & Maine

Border of Lower Canada & Vermont

III. Population of British Origin British Population - 1791 Few Anglophones in Upper and Lower Canada Mostly farmers, craftspeople or labourers Some British Elite: Governor Judges military officers council members merchants Location Inhabitants % of Anglophones Upper Canada 10 000 90% Lower Canada 160 000 9 %

Growth of the British Population Grew primarily due through immigration Immigrants came from: USA initially Later from United Kingdom: Scotland, Ireland, England British families were prompted to leave their homeland due to: Poor economic conditions Epidemics Famine - Irish Anglophone families were attracted by an offer of free land-grants in the colony

Epidemics and quarantine 1. Cause of the outbreaks: Overcrowding of boats carrying British immigrants lacked hygiene and led to outbreaks of cholera and typhus 2. Quarantines stations: Quarantine stations were set up to isolate sick immigrants upon arrival for 40 days Stations set up at Pointe – Levy & Grosse- ile

Places of settlement Some new immigrants settled in the townships in Montérégie or the Eastern Townships Despite these efforts, most Anglophone settled in Upper Canada

4.3 Economic Transformation 1800-1840

I British-American War of 1812 (War of 1812) Napoleon organized a continental blockade against Britain – goods could not be imported or exported to or from Britain In retaliation Britain blockaded France US economy was affected Resulted in Americans declaring war against Britain and invading Canada

Most Canadiens & the Catholic church remained loyal to the British Natives joined forces with Britain because of American settlers encroaching on Native land Treaty of Ghent in 1814 ended the war and the Americans stopped their attempts to expand into Canada

II Decline of the Fur Trade Demand in Europe for fur dropped The British government forced Northwest Company and Hudson’s Bay to merge Timber replaced fur as the main export

III. International Context and the Growth of the Timber Trade Britain obtained timber from Northern Europe for warships but due to the war, this was not possible Preferential Tariffs promoted timber imported from Canada Labour force for the Timber industry came from Canadiens and immigrants from U.K (Irish) Farmers worked in the timber industry in winter for extra income as lumberjacks, sawyers, hewers Preferential Tariffs: Lower duties on products imported from the colonies

IV. Changes in Agriculture Corn Laws in England discouraged imports of grain from most places, but benefitted Lower Canada It was a form of protectionism to protect British farmers Strong population growth did not allow many exports; and overfarming and overpopulation led to lower crop yields

V. Capital and infrastructure Construction of Lachine Canal First bank created (Bank of Montreal – 1817 Improvement in transportation networks: Roads Canals (Lachine Canal – 1825) Bridges Railways Bank of Montreal