The Rebellions of 1837-1838

Lower Canada 1830s: 2 groups The Business class (bourgeoisie): Rich $$$ Language English Origins  British ‘Montrealers’ ‘Tory Party’  Political Group

Lower Canada 1830s: 2 groups 2. ‘Canadien Party’ or ‘Les Patriotes’: Professional Class (lawyers, docters, etc.) Mostly French, some English Leaders : P. Bédard and L.-J. Papineau. Used newspapers to get their ideas across: ‘Le Canadien’, ‘La Minerve’ 

Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) Infrastructures = Roads, canals, public buildings, etc. Arguments over WHO pays for them Tory Party wants to tax the general public to pay for certain infrastructures in Lower Canada this helps the rich get richer Patriotes  do not want the public to pay for the infrastructure

Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) Tory Party  want to control finances to benefit the members of the Tory Party Tory Party  want to assimilate the French Canadiens Tory Party  want the main language of the assembly to be English Tory Party  Want to unite with Upper Canada to dilute the power of the French Canadiens

Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) Leaders of the Patriotes are not happy with the Tory Party The Patriotes (Papineau and Bédard) will propose the 92 RÉSOLUTIONS 92 Résolutions  a document list of complaints and demands of the Patriotes

Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) 92 Résolutions  sent to England England responds with a « NO » England responds with the « 10 Russell Resolutions » Upper Canada also wants changes (McKenzie)

Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS Steps of the 1837-38 rebellion: Tory Party VS. Patriotes (Canadien Party) Military failure of the Patriotes 1837  win the battle of St.-Denis, but lose the battle of St.-Foy and St.-Eustache 1838  lose battles, lots of imprisonments and 12 hangings Revolt of the Patriotes  failure

Reactions to the uprising Business class: hostile towards the Patriotes Clergy: Against the uprising  do not want to lose privileges gained in 1774 Professional class: Leading members of the Patriotes (support) Artisans / habitants: Support Patriotes **Upper Canada: W.L. Mackenzie and his supporters are defeated  lose popular support

CONCLUSION : The 1837-38 rebellions are caused by : Political reasons: need for responsible government Power: fight for power between the business class and the professional classes Economic crisis: Pour agricultural returns

LORD DURHAM

The Durham Report and the Act of Union Durham Report (1839) discusses problems in the 2 Canadas Lower Canada: Racial despute Les Canadiens (French) … “People without history or literature” … ignorant agricultures' … inferior (not English) English … Control administration … Control commerce … Are superior

The Durham Report and the Act of Union Solutions of the report: Legislative union for both Canadas  long term assimilation of French Responsible government  executive power by elected officials

The Durham Report and the Act of Union One government for the 2 Canadas Why? Makes the French Canadiens a politcal minority Assures the economic development of the St-Lawrence  Majority will vote in favor of this

1791 1841

Canada Est Canada Ouest

Economic Results after the Act of Union No more PROTECTIONNISM Canada had preferred rates for selling wheat / timber “Corn laws” & “Timber laws” This is now gone...

Economic Results after the Act of Union Improved infrastructure  Canals Canals along St-Lawrence improve transportation of goods between Kingston and Montreal Construction of a railway system (Grand-Trunk Railway) between Sarnia and Riviere-du-Loup With these developments, more difficult for the United states to steal business

Economic Results after the Act of Union Reciprocity Treaty (1854-1864) Free trade agreement between the United States and Canada No duties for goods travelling across the border Butter, wood, fish, flour…. conclusion  Canada-West(Ontario) seems to be favored after the Act of Union.