Rebellion and Change: Upper Canada Trouble in Upper Canada

Upper Canada

Cause of Discontent A. How the Colony Was Governed 1. In 1825 BNA was six colonies and two territories 2. Each had elected Assembly that prepared Bills 3. Bills needed approval from governor and councils before laws enacted Government House at York, Upper Canada, home of several lieutenant-governors after the 1820s

B. Family Compact 1. small clique of wealthy, powerful men who controlled Upper Canada 2. controlled government, monopolized political offices, influenced banking, land grants, education, courts, Anglican church Reverend John Strachan b. Aberdeen, Scotland, 1778; d. 1867

C. Farmers It seemed to farmers that the gov’t granted money to everyone but them.  Impossible to borrow $ to improve land or buy farm tools Bankers and merchants grew richer while farmers stuggled.

D. Upper Canada - Problems 1. The way the colony was governed (appointed rather than elected) 2. Land – unfair way the land was granted (best land given to family compact & Clergy – often left un-cleared & undeveloped) 3. Transportation – roads were inadequate. Money was spent on canal building (which benefited the merchants – Family Compact)

Land Issues in Upper Canada Self Notes: Part 2 ► Many Aboriginals moved off to reserves (Francis Bond Head) ► Best land granted to members of Family Compact—often hundred’s of acres of beautiful water front property ► Less than 10% of land in farm production ► Best farmland in hands of non-farmers ► Speculating on land prices going up ► Clergy Reserves also upset farmers ► Anglican Church given huge tracts of prime land ► Often left undeveloped and new settlers left with poor land

Land Concessions Land Concessions CLERGYGovernment land reserve Scattered non-farming land stops progress. They are left treed and undeveloped.

Transportation Issues ► Road conditions poor and impassable— couldn’t move farmers’ goods to markets ► Gov’t spent money on canal building instead ► Benefited Family Compact and business friends ► Private businesses granted huge loans to build Welland Canal

Who Were the Tories and Moderate Reformers? Tories ► Friends and supporters of the Family Compact ► Known as Conservatives or Tories ► Wanted to “conserve” existing form of government ► Approved Britain’s way of governing colonies ► Members of Legislative Council and Executive Council always chosen from this group Moderate Reformers ► Reformers wanted to change system of government ► Wanted to attack the problem through legal means ► Supported Responsible Government ► Often influential people, well educated and Anglican ► Never wanted to break away from Britain ► Sought governor to select Executive Council from Legislative Assembly

Who Were the Radical Reformers? ► Wanted change immediately—including though violence ► Many were restless moderate reformers ► William Lyon Mackenzie urged independence from Britain ► Hoped for empowered Legislative Assembly ► In late 1837, Mackenzie made a “call to arms”

F. Rebellion In Upper Canada 1. During December 1837, a rebellion raged in Upper Canada 2. Sought political and social changes

G. What Happened? The rebellion failed. Rebels (more than 1000) were forced to march to Toronto and placed in unheated jails with little food. Many died.  Those who followed orders went free  2 ringleaders were hanged  Many transported to Bermuda/Australia  Mackenzie flees to the US

The Aftermath of the Rebellions ► movie movie