Rebellion! Ch. 2 (p. 73-77)

Rebellion in Lower Canada The Lead-Up 1834: Papineau and Parti Patriote draw up “92 Resolutions” List of complaints and demands for change 1837: Britain rejects the 92 Resolutions Patriotes hold meeting to discuss rebellion Papineau having second thoughts Argues for lawful changes through politics Wolfred Nelson argues for rebellion, wins “The time has come to melt our spoons into bullets!”

Patriote Flag

Rebellion in Lower Canada Nov. 1837: Rebellion Breaks Out Most militant Patriotes start first fights Fils de la Liberté = Sons of Liberty British send troops to Saint-Denis to arrest rebel leaders, stop rebellion Papineau avoids arrest, flees to USA Nelson becomes leader of Patriotes, sets up roadblock for oncoming British troops

Rebellion in Lower Canada Battle of Saint-Denis Nelson and Patriotes at roadblock Most Patriotes are farmers and middle-class professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) British troops arrive and are attacked After gun battle, British forced to retreat Leave six dead soldiers and cannon behind First and last Patriotes victory in rebellion

Battle of Saint-Denis

Rebellion in Lower Canada Battle of Saint-Charles Two days after Saint-Denis, British attack Patriotes in Saint-Charles 60 Patriotes dead, dozens arrested

Rebellion in Lower Canada Battle of Saint-Eustache Patriotes holed up in village church British set church on fire, shoot Patriotes as they run out 70-100 Patriotes killed After British troops leave, English-Canadian volunteers loot and ransack nearby towns and farms Many rebels flee for US, others arrested

Battle of Saint-Eustache

Battle of Saint-Eustache

Rebellion in Lower Canada The Final Act Wolfred Nelson arrested, brother Robert goes to USA to find Papineau “Papineau has abandoned us. He is a man fit only for words, but not for action.” Patriotes in USA prepare for 2nd rebellion led by Robert Nelson Supported by “Hunter’s Lodges” Secret society hoping to make Canada a republic 1838: 2nd rebellion fails miserably Disorganized, poorly supplied, too much looting

The Nelson Brothers

Rebellion in Upper Canada Lead-Up to Rebellion Reformers want responsible gov. British rejection of 92 Resolutions a big blow to moderate reform Radical change seems to be the only option 1836: New Gov. Sir Francis Bond Head Dissolved the Leg. Assembly, helped elect friendly politicians with bribery and threats Quick enfranchisement: he gave land to conservative supporters so they could vote

Sir Francis Bond Head

Rebellion in Upper Canada WL Mackenzie the Rebel Mackenzie infuriated by rejection of 92 Resolutions and Gov. Head’s actions Issues “Toronto Declaration” Based on US Declaration of Independence Inspired by rebellion in Lower Canada Rides through countryside urging rebellion Plans to march on Toronto, capture the government, and make Canada a republic like the US

Rebellion in Upper Canada Trouble Brewing at the Tavern Dec. 1837: Mackenzie and 600 rebels gather at Montgomery’s Tavern in North Toronto Rebels mostly farmers Gov. Head had sent Toronto troops to Lower Canada to fight Patriotes City only defended by local militia Mackenzie leads rebels down Yonge St. towards downtown Toronto

Montgomery’s Tavern Now

Marching Down Yonge St.

Rebellion in Upper Canada Mackenzie vs. Jarvis Dec. 5: Mackenzie leads ~600 rebels towards Toronto Rebels armed with pitchforks, rifles, clubs, and pikes Rebels run into ~20 loyalist volunteers led by Sheriff Jarvis Loyalist volunteers tipped off, were waiting for rebels Both sides very nervous and inexperienced

Rebellion in Upper Canada Worst. Battle. Ever. Jarvis’ loyalists fire on rebels then run away First row of rebels return fire then drop to ground to let rebels behind them fire In dusk, rebels think first row on ground are dead, so they run away too Rebel advance on Toronto stopped

Rebellion in Upper Canada Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern Many rebels go home, some regroup at Montgomery’s Tavern Dec. 8: ~1000 loyalists march to Tavern to fight rebels Rebels offer little resistance, battle over in half-an-hour Tavern burned to ground, many rebels escape to USA (including Mackenzie)

Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern

Rebellion in Upper Canada Plan B Mackenzie declares himself “President of the Canadian Republic” from Navy Island in Niagara River British fire cannons at island, set supply ship on fire and send it over the falls Border raids by rebels from US into Upper Canada for most of 1838 Easy to defeat, but brought Britain and USA close to war until rebels defeated at Battle of the Windmill (Nov. 1838)

Mackenzie’s Supply Ship

Battle of the Windmill

Rebellion in Upper Canada Whatever happened to Mackenzie? Lived for 10 years in USA Caused trouble there too Spent a year in prison 1849: given a Canadian pardon Moved back to Toronto Resumed his journalistic and political career Served as Member of Parl. for 6 years

Aftermath of the Rebellions Captured Rebels Most initially sentenced to prison Many eventually pardoned Including Mackenzie, Papineau, and Nelson after periods of exile 20 rebels were hanged ~60 sent to Australian penal colony Many died on journey because of horrible conditions Once there, used for slave labour