Chapter 1 Colonies in the Wilderness:

The Land of Yesterday Following War of 1812 in the USA: Settlers flood into Upper Canada (Ontario) for inexpensive farming land Lower Canada (Quebec) continues farming practices and attracts American and Scottish entrepreneurs Maritimes are well-settled and stable – ship building, trade with Britain and New England, fish and timber industries Northern and Western Canada (to the Rockies) are claimed by HBC – royal charter for all land with rivers that drain into Hudson’s Bay

Land of Yesterday (continued) NWC is trading in southern areas and west of Rockies (BC) Most settled in Upper Canada (language) Most of the land west of the Great Lakes was inhabited by Métis and fur traders in 1820s. Settlements discouraged in Rupert’s Land Furs were commodity in Asia and Europe. HBC held the monopoly. NWC (Montrealers) tried to challenge HBC

Upper Canada Underdeveloped and remote – few roads and military routes were limited to tracks through the bush. Forest was very dense. First Nations had been here for 1000s of year Settlers cleared the land but limited to 1 hectare per year – it would take a family 20+ years to clear a 25 hectare (1 city block) piece of land, years to raise a crop, mortgaged crops to buy supplies Social life – most visited neighbours or attended church, some communities had a school

Upper Canada - Social History Social class – barriers of social class were not as evident in UC because of the necessity to rely on neighbours and self to do a lot of hard work. Land –upon arrival, much of the good land was already taken up by absentee landowners or speculators False advertising in Britain (and Europe) led settlers to believe UC was the land of opportunities

Poor Settlers Most had to settle for poorer quality of land, farther from town with poor infrastructure – this caused much upset and was a cause of Rebellion of 1837 Family Compact members were land speculators and made a lot of money. Clergy and Crown Reserve land – 2/7 of all land was held for income through sale or rent, it was good land and this caused infrastructure problems

Poor Settlers Land problems partly due to British Gov’t wanting to create English model of landowning by aristocrats – “the best people to run a country” These views differed to immigrants’, especially from the USA who believed in success for own efforts. John Simcoe – 1 st Governor of UC

Immigrant Experience Romanticized ads in Europe about life in Canada Crossing the Atlantic – very expensive, took more than a month to cross, most travelled in cargo ships were converted to ‘coffin ships’, most travelled in steerage class, no bathroom facilities, contagious diseases like cholera, influence, small pox. Most settlers came from Britain (English, Irish, Scottish) and the USA – and each brought their own cultures with them too!

Minorities 1833 – Britain abolishes slavery but courts in Upper and Lower Canada did not support it long before Underground Railroad – a series of trails, paths and safe houses supported by abolitionist (Quakers and Methodists). Harriet Tubman was a ‘conductor’ on the railroad Women – held both traditional and contemporary roles

Colonial Government Oligarchy – power in the hands of a small group of rich and influential men Governor – appointed by Britain – was supposed to control the oligarchy but ruled according to their wishes. Legislative Assembly – voted in members by land owning men Governor and Oligarchy could veto any law or regulation proposed by the LA.

Discontent in UC Robert Gourlay – surveys farmers and years of discontent over Gov’t and land practices in UC. Draws up a list of grievences and a petition and the gov’t arrests him and sends him out of the country. William Lyon Mackenzie openly criticizes gov’t and the Family Compact in his paper Colonial Advocate, FC ransack his office, Mackenzie sues, member of the LA in 1828, becomes leader of reform movement in UC

Upper Canada Rebellion Mackenzie promoted the call for reform in the government through his newspaper – he wanted responsible government Militia troops leave for LC, Mackenzie gathers his rebels at Montgomery’s Tavern and tries to organize them – they are not prepared Marched on York (Toronto) up Yonge Street to capture Governor and establish new Government Modern photo of Yonge Street in Toronto

Upper Canada - Rebellion Mackenzie and his rebels face fire from Sheriffs and a few militia Both sides exchange gunfire Rebels flee because they think they see the ranks in front of them ‘fall’ – they’re actually reloading their muskets Rebels flee Mackenzie heads for the USA (a 4 day journey by foot) and crosses at Niagara Militia surrounds Montgomery Tavern – they capture remaining rebels and burn the tavern down

Stirring in Lower Canada (LC) French had not adjusted to British conquest and found British rule without democracy hard to accept. Colony was in control of Oligarchy made up of English- speaking merchants and ex-army officers – Chateau Clique English speakers to French speakers – many believed that the seigneurs and Church has sold out to English interest 1822 –tried to make English official language

French Canadian Isolation French felt they were the minority French Canadians; feared immigration from English speaking Britain, Didn’t like the challenging of seigneurial system by offering land in the Eastern townships to new British settlers Tried to invoke change in government and diminish the power of the Chateau Clique Felt discriminated because of language, culture and ideas.

French Canadians French Canadians: Objected to ‘permanent civil list’ which guaranteed salaries to members of government councils Farmers resented British government’s attempts to raise land tax while leaving business revenues alone 3 main issues that led to the Rebellion in LC: discrimination against the French unequal taxation lack of power within the Gov’t

French Canadians 1810 Britain appoints anti-French James Craig as Governor. He arrests those who criticize government and brought in soldiers to intimidate the French population 1822 – talks to unite UC and LC worries French because they will be a minority in a larger colony 1832 – British soldiers shot protesters in Montreal, Papineau and reformers submit 92 Resolutions to the Governor. Lord John Russell, at Colonial Office in Britain, replies with 10 resolutions denying the rights of the assembly. Patriots led by Papineau rebel against the government.

Rebellion in Lower Canada Louis Joseph Papineau – uses public speaking to get his word out – for reform of the government into a responsible government that is representative of the people. Government is predominately the English – including the Governor and his ‘ Chateau Clique ’ Papineau is helped out by Wolfred Nelson – he commanded the troops

Louis Joseph Papineau Papineau writes the 92 resolutions to spark change in Lower Canada and sends it to Britain Their 92 Resolutions are denied by Colonial office and this ignites anger amongst the rebels Troops arrive, gather at St. Denis. This battle is small but the Rebels win. Nelson instructs Papineau to the US because he knows the rebellion is a lost cause Militia attacks St. Charles and St. Eustache and win each time. Rebels surrender Many are pardoned, some are hung and a few are exiled.

Lord Durham Is sent from Britain to ‘sort out’ the colonies He travels to Montreal and Toronto to talks to society members including the Governors, Family Compact/Chateau Clique, Rebellion leaders, rebels etc to find out concerns He makes recommendations for change: Colonies joined and given responsible government Unite all of British North America British to maintain control over foreign affairs and military Elected government in Canada to have power over internal affairs (taxation, roads, schools etc).

Act of Union Durham’s recommendations were considered and in 1841 Lower and Upper Canada become ‘United Canada’ with the capital in Montreal. Lower Canada become ‘East Canada’ and Upper Canada becomes ‘West Canada’ Durham thought that uniting these two colonies would help the French assimilate into the English system. French Canadians did not support this Union The Government changes and Legislative Assembly has power within the government to effect change but it has to be ‘Double Majority’

Act of Union ‘ Double Majority ’ is both sides have to agree before laws are passed. These sides are Canada East and Canada West’. Governor General didn’t think they’d agree on anything but Lafontaine (Canada East) and Baldwin (Canada West) made it work. Legislative Assembly now has a lot of power