Chapter 7 Life in Lower Canada

Important Vocabulary Words Political Reform Changes to make the government better Elite Special group, usually more educated or richer than others Resolution Formal statement of the way one feels; usually written down and sent to one in a position of power and authority; may be followed as a guideline for ruling a group of people Puppet Leader who is not independent, who wais for orders or does what someone else tells him or her to do.

Focus Question What was life like in Lower Canada

Groups in Lower Canada French Speaking Habitants English Speaking Merchants French Speaking Professional Men ``Each group had special concerns they wanted the government to implement``

Habitants (French Speaking Farmers) The habitants were worried because of the scarcity(loss) of land and the poor economic conditions (bad weather, disease). Feared loosing their French language, Roman Catholic Religion, and Agricultural(farming) way of life

Merchants (English Speaking New Comers) They were rich and powerful and made their money from the exports of furs, timber, and wheat from farms. They wanted improvements, such as harbours, canals, and roads paid by government taxes.

Professional Men (the newest Group in Lower Canada) Educated people, mostly lawyers and doctors. They wanted to be the leaders of the colony. They talked about a separate French Nation. The Nation would preserve the : French Language, Roman catholic Religion, and Agricultural way of Life.

Louis-Joseph Papineau A Wealthy Seigneur Strong supporter of the old French order in Lower Canada He favoured doing things the old way. Served as an officer in the Militia, defending BNA during the War of 1812. Served as a speaker in the Legislative Assembly in Lower Canada. Wanted political reform in Lower Canada.

Government in Lower Canada The governor was English speaking, so his appointed councils were also English speaking. Their interests and concerns were usually different from those of the French speaking habitants and professional men.

Groups Chateau Clique (castle-small group) Parti Canadien

Chateau Clique Held the most power in the government and believed the power should be in their hands. Small group of powerful people Either British Background or wealthy French Canadians who allied with the British. They wanted the Roman Catholic Church to stay powerful. Favoured the British point of view and the British system of government. Wanted more English-speaking settlers in the colony

Parti Canadien Wanted the old French ways to remain. They viewed most new ideas as negative and change was a threat. Almost exclusively French Leader- Louis Joseph Papineau Wanted control of the legislative assembly- voted against improvements , such as canals, thereby blocking the plans of the merchants.

Unrest in Lower Canada The 1837 rebellion only lasted a few weeks Rebels (Papineau) against the British Papineau and rebels fled to US after 12 rebels hanged, 58 sent to prison in Australia, 1200 prisoners set free There was another short rebellion attempt in 1838 but it failed as well