British North America

When Britain took over New France (after the fall of Quebec at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham 1759) The Conquest resulted in the British imposing two new governing set of Laws (while trying to figure out what to do with the French…) 1) Treaty of Paris 1763 2) Royal Proclamation 1763 The Conquest 1759

Gave Great Britain control over New France and all of its Territories. “New France” was re-named “Quebec” Authority : Governors appointed by the English monarchs People could not elect their own government The Treaty of Paris 1763

Differences between French and English The only English were Governors French and English Roman Catholic and Protestant French had Seigneurial System More French than English Languages Religions Landholding system Instead of being ‘in control’ of the fur trade, French Canadiens were now only guides and fur traders. Differences between French and English

Rules governing British dealings with Aboriginals Peoples. The Aboriginal Peoples were not to be disturbed on their lands. No governors could grant land to setters that was on Aboriginal territory *(unless it was sold to the crown by the Aboriginals) People who inadvertently settled on Aboriginal territory must move. Royal Proclamation 1763

The Original intent of the British (and these Government was to assimilate the French into the British colonies. This idea would change very quickly……

Background: Revolution in the 13 Colonies Indication of revolution Why? 13 colonies were upset with British Policies, especially the lack of an elected government. (Colonists couldn’t vote) The Governors in the new colony of BNA were scared! Worried that revolution in the South would spread North and that the French would turn on the now ruling British…. Background: Revolution in the 13 Colonies

Solution: The Quebec Act 1774 Purpose: to gain the support of the French colonists in BNA Established by Guy Carleton (1st British governor of Quebec) The Act allowed the French: To retain their culture and language Re-instated French property and civil laws (but kept British Criminal laws) To practice Roman Catholicism The legalization of paying tithes to the RC church (the British hoped to get support of the RC leaders to keep the French from joining the rebellion to the South….) Created the borders of Quebec to include the Ohio Valley (not the same as today!) Solution: The Quebec Act 1774

The Act DID NOT… Allow the French colonists to vote Or to hold legal office (i.e. lawyers)- unless they were to swear an oath to the British Crown… Also, this act was passed by British parliament without the input from French or Aboriginal peoples. Unlike the Royal Proclamation, the Quebec Act did not mention the Aboriginal Peoples. The Act DID NOT…

The 13 Colonies (Americans) would eventually invade Quebec…. Why? Thought the Act was “intolerable” because it was instituted by the monarchy and not through democracy. (including many other related to taxation in the 13 Colonies…) and it seemed to warn of potential losses to their own political, economic and social rights… Results: The British and French forces in BNA band together to boot the Americans out… Historical Significance? : Helped forge a relationship against the 13 Colonies to the South The 13 Colonies (Americans) would eventually invade Quebec….

And so begins the Revolution… The much rumoured revolution in the 13 colonies became a reality by 1775. It would directly lead to the first wave of English speaking people in Canada : The Loyalists The Loyalists were Americans who remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution/American War of Independence And so begins the Revolution…