Newspaper Assignment

Chapter 7 Pg. 153 -157 Life in Upper Canada

Important Vocabulary Words Moderate – a person who does not hold extreme opinions Radical – holding extreme opinions; wants fundamental social, economic, and political changes Treason – the crime of betraying one’s country

Government in Upper Canada Two major political groups in Upper Canada were: The Tories (led by the Family Compact) The Reformers (wanted political reform)

Government Structure Looking at the government structure chart on pg. 153; discuss with your partner why might it be unfair for the people living in Upper Canada.

Family Compact (Tories) Small group of powerful people (similar to the Chateau Clique) Defended tradition and opposed change Did not like Americans and did not want them in government Believed power should be in the hands of a few Church of England (Protestant) should be powerful Most were of Loyalists descent. They supported British system Held political positions in the Legislative and Executive Councils

The Reformers Unlike the family compact “the Reformers” wanted change in Upper Canada. They opposed the power of the Family Compact They were divided among radical and moderate groups Angry about the Family Compacts attitude towards Americans They wanted to create change in government and society of Upper Canada (similar to that of the United States) The Reformers included people who would later take part in the rebellion.

The People of Upper Canada Fill in the chart on pg.2 of your worksheet for your assigned person Share with 2 people

Bishop John Strachan Born in Scotland Fought against Americans in the War of 1812 Powerful spokesman for the Family Compact By the 1820`s, he and his Family Compact friends controlled the government of Upper Canada He became the 1st Bishop of Toronto

Robert Gourlay He was a reformer who immigrated from Scotland and wanted to bring poor people from Britain to Upper Canada to farm Gourlay spoke with local farmers about problems and difficulties. He encouraged farmers to meet and discuss their problems Angry that the Church and Government owned most of the farmland in Upper Canada The Family compact felt Gourlay was a threat and put him in jail He was later thrown out of Upper Canada in 1819

William Lyon Mackenzie He was reformer (from Scotland) who used his newspaper (Colonial Advocate) to speak out about the problems experienced by farmers and the power of the Family Compact He was elected into the Legislative Assembly and spoke out against the Family Compact. Mackenzie was expelled from Leg. Assembly 6 times, but re-elected back every time He became more radical and participated in the armed rebellion in an attempt to destroy Upper Canada’s system of government

Sir Francis Bond Head Was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada in 1835 and was welcomed by the Reformers Reformers felt betrayed by Bond The Legislative Assembly refused to work with Bond, which resulted in a freeze in funds Bond ordered an election and personally fought for the Tories. They won and he defeated the Reformers

Election Violence Election violence was common during the 1830s. There was no secret ballot like today. Instead people shouted their choice which usually resulted in shouts and insults. Voters often threw stones and swung clubs at one another.

Armed Rebellion (Upper Canada) Mackenzie wanted to take advantage of the political unrest. He rode to the countryside and found people to support his cause The Reformers wanted Upper Canada to have a government similar to United States. The Rebellion was a failure and Mackenzie escaped to the United States, where he tried (unsuccessfully) to raise an army to liberate Upper Canada. He later came back to Canada and was elected to the Legislative Assembly Two rebels were hung for the crime of treason

Gourlay’s Advertisement in britain

Results of the Rebellions Lower Canada ended up worse (temporarily) after the rebellion The Legislative Assembly was suspended for 4 years In Upper Canada, people were afraid to speak out about change because they might be accused of being a radical (rebel) The British sent Lord Durham to be BNA`s Governor General and to investigate the causes of the rebellions and to suggest solutions to the problems (NEXT CHAPTER)

CHAPTER 7 QUIZ (COMING SOON!!!)