4.4 Tensions in Lower Canada 1815-1837

I. A Sense of National Belonging in the Colony A sense of belonging to a Canadien nation of French origin or to a British nation led to society virtually split into two distinct groups: Canadien Nationalism Catholicism French language 2. British Nationalism: Loyalty to the British empire

II. Two opposing political parties Two opposing parties emerged: Parti Canadien British Party Division reigned concerning canal financing and custom duties Parti Canadien British Party Canal Financing Believe it will only benefit the English Want to improve transportation networks for exporting Custom Duties Want to keep profit for Lower Canada Want to share the profit collected at the Port in Lower Canada

III. Issues in Lower Canada Economic Issues Poor harvests & economic difficulties led to famine among the Canadien population.

Some demands of the 92 Resolutions Political Issues In 1826, the Parti Canadien became the Parti Patriote, led by Louis- Joseph Papineau In 1834, members of the Parti patriote drafted the “92 Resolutions” making several demands Some demands of the 92 Resolutions Elected legislative council Control of the budget Protection of French language and civil law Responsible Government/Ministerial Responsibility Ministerial Responsibility: Members of the Executive are chosen from the elected Legislative Assembly

IV Response to the 92 Resolutions Governor Aylmer dissolved the Legislative Assembly 1837 - British adopted the Russell Resolutions in response to the 92 Resolutions: The Russell Resolutions rejected most of the demands of the Patriotes

4.5 The Rebellions and their Consequences 1837-1840

I The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838 Political tension between authorities and Parti Patriote grows Radical members planned an armed rebellion In Upper Canada, Reform members of the Legislative Assembly plan the same

Louis-Joseph Papineau addressing the crowd Popular Assemblies Popular assemblies organized by Parti Patriote to voice discontent with British rule Papineau calls for boycott of British goods Patriote flag Louis-Joseph Papineau addressing the crowd

The Colonial state’s Reaction Governor Gosford responds with repression Banned popular assemblies Parti Patriote refused to vote on budget – paralyzes the government Radical members create Fils de la liberté and called people to take up arms despite Papineaus’s opposition to violence Parti Patriote continued to organize public assemblies, despite the ban the assembly of six counties

The Assembly of six counties

Armed Conflict First battle took place in Saint - Denis where the Patriotes won. The British Army and volunteer militia won every other battle and the rebellion was put down

Battle of Saint Denis – November Final Battle of Saint Eustache – December

The Public’s Attitude toward the Rebellions Attitudes towards the rebellions among the Canadiens was not unanimous Supported: General population supported the Patriotes but only 8000 took up arms Liberal bourgeoisie supported Patriote demands but were against violence Opposed: Clergy opposed armed struggle because of its alliance to the government Seigneurs opposed the Patriotes because they would lose their land and privileges

Results of the Rebellion The Patriotes were defeated 100 were sentenced to death, 58 were exiled to Australia 12 executed

Rebellions in Upper Canada Rebellions in Upper Canada were organized by William Lyon MacKenzie of the Reform party They were quickly defeated

II The Durham Report Lord Durham was appointed as the new governor and was entrusted to identify the causes of the rebellion and propose solutions

Causes of the Rebellions Proposed Solutions Assembly had limited power, since the councils could reject the laws they passed Grant responsible government The assembly was mostly Canadiens – their interests conflicted with the British leaders Unite Upper and Lower Canada, create one assembly dominated by British - assimilate the Canadiens Canadiens were the majority and refused British domination Adopt English as the only official language Institute massive British immigration - assimilate the Canadiens