British Regime III: 1791-1837

Demands of British Merchants 1. The British merchants ($$$) in the province of Quebec did not like: A) the governors: Because they were too nice to the French (James Murray) B) The Quebec Act: Because it promoted Catholicism & gave French civil laws 2. They wanted a more just governmental system. (For people to be elected)

Forms of protest 3. They made many petitions to get things. They even had one asking to get Governor James Murray fired and out of Quebec… and they were successful!

4. They eventually realized that because they were in the minority that they would have to change their ideas in order to be successful. They gave up on certain things: A) only having protestants in government B) having English civil laws 5. In doing this, they managed to get some French nobles and bourgeois on their side.

Impact of the Loyalists 6. With the arrival of the loyalists, they suddenly had a lot more support because many loyalists wanted the same things. The British government eventually gives them what they want in the Constitutional Act in 1791. (elected assembly, separation from the Canadiens)

Constitutional Act: 1791

Constitutional Act: 1791-1840 What did it do? 1. Divided the Province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada Upper Canada = English Lower Canada = French

What did it do? 2. Each “Canada” had its own legislative assembly Legislative assembly: Level of government where members are chosen by the people

3. Suffrage (Who could vote) Must be a British subject b) Must be 21 years old C) Must own land Anything missing?

Problems with the Constitutional Act 1. Legislative Assembly did not make money, so only very affluent (wealthy) people could be part of it. 2. Governor and Legislative Council had power to VETO laws proposed by the Legislative Assembly

Population in 1791 1. General composition: A) 160 000 inhabitants B) Mainly Canadiens C) Small amount of British D) Amerindians & Black population (some slaves)

Population 1791 2. Immigration: A) Mainly from English speaking countries. They are settling in the Eastern Townships and Upper Canada

Population-1791 3. Areas start to get OVERCROWDED: Mauricie & Outaouais 4. Main reason for population growth: Upper Canada: immigration Lower Canada: Babies

5. Grosse Ile A) It was a quarantine station for the Port of Québec from 1832 to 1937. b) At the time, the island was the main point of entry for immigrants coming to Canada. C) It was basically an island where sick immigrants would be dropped off.

Grosse Ile

Economy THE TIMBER TRADE & PROTECTIONISM

Definitions Protectionism: An economic policy established by a government to protect the economy of the country or empire from foreign competition. Preferential Tariffs: lower customs duties on products imported from special places.

Definitions Free Trade: a policy where customs duties on products are either reduced or abolished

The idea of Protectionism… What is one way in which Canada protects its economy from foreign competition? (Hint: What happens when you buy a lot of stuff in the States and you try and come back into Canada?)

Organization 1. Demand: A) Where is the demand coming from (where is the “market”): Britain B) Why? Continental blockade by Napoleon Warships

Organization c) British put preferential tariffs in place; This means goods are only imported from within Empire ex: lumber is imported from colonies

Timber replaces fur as the main export out of Quebec

2. Jobs & Workers A) Jobs: Lumberjack, log driver, sawyer B) Workers: French Canadians & Irish immigrants (This makes the canadiens angry)

3. Products & Areas A) Products: beams, construction lumber B) Areas that develop because of the timber trade: Port of Quebec & Forest Regions

Effects of the Timber Trade 1. Effects on the people: A) French Canadians farm during the summer and chop trees in winter More money for them to spend on making their lives more comfortable

1. Effects on the People B) Increased number of workers and artisans C) Banks emerge as a result of the larger economy. This gives people more access to credit and capital!

2. Effects on the Land A) New transportation networks develop: Canals make it easier to transport goods

2. Effects on the Land: B) New “colonization” areas: Mauricie, Saguenay