The Influence of Liberal Ideas in Lower Canada Constitutional Act 1791

Constitutional Act The Loyalists asked for…and received, the Constitutional Act in 1791.

Main Parts The 2 most important parts were….. The right to vote for people of age, property owners etc… The division of the British Province of Quebec in to a Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario).

DEMANDES DES LOYALISTES TERRITOIRE SÉPARÉ UNE CHAMBRE D’ASSEMBLÉE LOIS CIVILES ET CRIMINELLES ANGLAISES

INSTITUTION POLITIQUE PENDANT LE GOUVERNEMENT ROYAL 1663 À 1763 Institution Politique de 1763 à 1791 CONSEIL LE PEUPLE OBTIENT LE DROIT DE VOTE POUR LA PREMIERE FOIS AU CANADA=DÉMOCRATIE. ÉLUS Députés

DROIT DE VÉTO (DÉMOCRATIE TRUQUÉE) ANGLAIS FRANÇAIS CONFLITS

Which map represents the results of the Constitutional Act1791? A CB D

Constitutional Act of 1791

Review British government did not know how to deal with 7000 Loyalists that came to Quebec after the American Revolution The Loyalists were placed in refugee camps and were not allowed to “mix” with the Canadiens ( will be used as a nation name officially in 1841) Did not want the ideas of “liberty,” “democracy,” or “representative government” Content with the Quebec Act

Review II Eventually, Loyalists granted land in western Quebec Long-term decision: two cultures in one area and an official policy was needed Answer: The Constitutional Act of 1791

The Constitutional Act 1791 Major Aim: Keep Quebec bicultural; divided Quebec into two colonies: – Upper Canada (“Up” the St. Lawrence River; English-speaking) – Lower Canada (“Down”; French- speaking)

The Constitutional Act 1791 Give representative govt. by creating an elected Legislative Assembly in both colonies Limited power to prevent another “revolution” Key Terms: – Language = Upper Canada was English-speaking; Lower Canada was French-speaking – Religion = UC Protestant; LC Roman Catholic – Law = UC British Criminal/Civil Law; LC British Criminal Law and French Civil law

1791: Time for Change… Again British colonists (including the Loyalists) were unhappy with the situation in Quebec. They wanted changes, including a legislative assmembly. This would give power to the people. Many Canadiens wanted this as well. Influenced by LIBERAL IDEAS about government.

Liberalism Believes in individual freedom and equality. People should have…  Freedom of expression  Equality  Freedom of belief and religion  Participation in government (and vote).

Constitutional Act Divided Quebec into 2 parts:  Upper Canada (west)  Lower Canada (east)

Differences between Upper and Lower Canada Lower Canada French Canadian maj. Catholic maj. French civil law, British criminal Law. Upper Canada Anglophone maj. Protestant maj. British civil and criminal law.

Changes in Government. Created parliamentary system – the people elected representatives to a legislative assembly. Legislative assembly could pass laws and bills – though they still had to be approved by the Legislative council and Governor (who were appointed, not voted in). To vote, you had to:  Be a British subject.  Be over 21 years old.  Own land, or have rented for at least a year.

Government (Legislative – laws) UC : Lieutenant-Governor; LC: Governor General (control affairs) Each had an Executive Council (appointed) to advise governor; Legislative Council (appointed) to propose and pass laws Each colony had representative gov’t, with (elected) Legislative Assembly – power to impose taxes, make laws, serve locals Only male landowners allowed to vote Councils and Governor can block laws (veto) of the Assembly