Chapters 6 and 7 Social Studies 7 The United States Breaks Away and The Great Migration and the Push for Democracy Chapters 6 and 7 Social Studies 7

American War of independence Britain was in debt because of the Seven Years war. Britain had to keep troops in the Thirteen Colonies to defend the land from invasion so they decided this was a good way to make money. Britain decided to tax the colonists of the Thirteen colonies in order to keep the troops.

American War of Independence Colonists were angered, said Britain had no right to do this, began protesting. These protests turned into a rebellion led by George Washington. In 1776 the American War of Independence started (also known as the American Revolution). It lasted until 1783 (7 years) This war left the colonists divided.

American war of independence Patriots- these were people who supported the rebellion and fought against the British Loyalists- these were the people who supported Britain and fought to keep British rule. This division put pressure on both parties…

Loyalist Migration Because the Patriots ended up winning, the war, the Loyalists needed to either leave or put up with the new system Many left for the British colonies of Quebec and Nova Scotia. Other than the main group of Loyalists that fled, this group included 3000 black Loyalists, 2000 Haudenosaunee, 3000 German Mennonites.

Impacts of Loyalist Migration on Canadiens There are now a lot of British people in Quebec, where there were few prior to the migration. The Loyalists knew that the land was owned by Britain so asked for British laws and customs. (despite the Quebec Act which recently gave French Law back)

Impacts of Loyalist Migration on First Nations people Before the Loyalists came, Britain negotiated treaties of “peace and friendship” After the migration, Britain negotiated treaties to take over land for settlement.

What Change did Loyalists want in Nova Scotia? Deported Acadians Large group settled along the St. John’s River (today’s New Brunswick). They were separate from the other thirteen colonists because of both politics and geography. The colonists who settled on the River were “new” colonists so they felt that had different needs and priorities than the older colonists who settled in Nova Scotia.

What Change did the Loyalists want in Quebec? Wanted British laws and customs instead of French Civil Law. Britain now had a problem….we just negotiated the Quebec Act and all was good….but now we owe something to these Loyalists who fought a war in our honour…?

How did Britain Respond to the Loyalist Concerns? For the Loyalists who settled on the St. John’s River, they separated Nova Scotia and called the new section New Brunswick. A few years later Britain recognized Quebec by passing the Constitutional Act in 1791 for the Loyalists who settled west of Montreal.

The Constitutional Act Divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada Upper Canada British Civil and Criminal Law Lower Canada British Criminal Law, French Civil Law Gave land for Protestant Church and guaranteed Catholic Churches for French Officials and Legislative Council appointed by Britain for each colony An assembly was elected by the people of the colony (representative government)

War of 1812 Fight between The United States and British North America. (part of the Napoleonic Wars) France had a revolution and dethroned its monarchy. France became a republic. (Napoleon was the leader of this revolution) The rest of Europe was nervous their countries would follow this example. Napoleon led the French Republic in battles conquering much of Europe.

War of 1812 The Napoleonic War began conflict in North America Because Napoleon was fighting to conquer the British in Europe, the Britain retaliated The British: Shut down fur trade between France and U.S. Blocked U.S. ships from landing at French ports. British boarded U.S. ships looking for deserters

War of 1812 U.S. grew angry at British for these actions and declared war on the closest piece of British territory…British North America (Canada) Americans invaded BNA, expecting the colonists of BNA to join in fight against British….instead the colonies fought against the U.S.

Position of the Canadiens on the War of 1812 Catholic Church opposed the fight and republican government (no monarch, usually elected) Because Britain was still ruled by the Monarch and France was not anymore, the Catholic Church favored fighting for the British

The Great Migration People left Britain for economic reasons (no money) Industrial Revolution- machines replaced them in the workplace Many lost farms to large landowners Napoleonic Wars caused economic slowdown and unemployment Famine hit Ireland

The Great Migration There was opportunity to move and start fresh in BNA Britain encouraged people to move for a few reasons: Reduce the pressure and economic troubles plaguing the country Put more people in BNA with loyalty to Britain

Impacts of Great Migration? More farms More British people

The Push for Democracy The reformers wanted to change the government of BNA. They wanted to be treated like adults and make the decisions that affected their own lives. BNA currently had a Colonial Government (Britain appointed the powerful people) The assembly that the colonist voted on had little power in comparison. They could not make decisions, only advise the governor and council appointed by Britain.

The Push for Democracy The Reformers wanted … The elected members of the assembly to control the membership of the council The council NOT the governors, to have full control of decision making

The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838 Lower Canada Struggle arose between council and assembly Created problems between the Protestant people (British)…who’s favor was with the council, and the Catholic people (French)…who’s favor was with the assembly. Led to a lot of fights amongst the colonists Experienced a cholera epidemic (killed nearly 5000 people) Crop failures

The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838 Upper Canada Power struggle also developed between council and assembly “Family Compact” held power Reform party won an election against this power. Two years later the governor made sure a party he favored won the election, not the Reform Party Also had widespread crop failure

Britain’s Response to the Rebellions British wanted to know why Rebellions happened. They did not want to lose Upper and Lower Canada the way the lost The Thirteen colonies. Royal Commission, headed by the governor of the Canadas, Lord Durham, investigated and made recommendations: Union of Upper and Lower Canada More Democratic government Assimilate the Canadiens

The Act of Union 1841- Britain passed the Act of Union Combine Upper and Lower Canada into one large land called The Province of Canada Governor appointed legislative council Assembly had equal members from Canada East and West English became the official language of the Province of Canada. Durham's report suggested Canadiens assimilate

Government in the Province of Canada Under The Act of Union Britain Governor Legislative Council Appointed by governor Elected Assembly 42 members/42 members Canada East/Canada West Voters Mostly male property owners Direction of power

The Lafontaine-Baldwin Alliance The Act of Union was supposed to bring East and West together but it did the opposite. Robert Baldwin (West) and Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine (East) wanted a more democratic government (but not a complete break from Britain)and formed a coalition (came together) They fought for: French to be an official language in the assembly Universite Lavale and University of Toronto established Amnesty (pardon) for the rebels

The Rebellion Losses Bill Once the Province of Canada gained control of its affairs from Britain, its first challenge to its commitment in democracy came from the enforcing of this Bill During the Rebellions of 1837-38, people in Upper Canada were compensated for their losses. Lafontaine and Baldwin wanted the same for Lower Canadians

The Rebellion Losses Bill Conservative members of the assembly said this bill “rewarded traitors” and they opposed it The reform alliance members of the assembly outnumbered the conservative members, so the bill passed. Conservative members called on Lord Elgin (governor at the time) to refuse to sign the Bill (this meant it wouldn’t be passed) Despite his personal opposition to the Bill, Lord Elgin signed anyway…which proved that the democratic government was working in the Province of Canada Note: angry mobs of English Canadians attacked Lord Elgin in the streets because of this decision. Lord Elgin, however, did not change his mind and still signed the Bill.