Nov 15, 2011 L.O.: To understand the two cultures in Quebec; Constitutional Act 1791; reactions of the people in Quebec. American Revolution Quiz Constitutional Act Notes Work Period HW: – Read Pg. 122/3 – Petition Assignment + Worksheet – Vocabulary Sheet
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 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
The Constitutional Act 1791
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
Homework Read Pg. 122/23 Constitutional Act Worksheet Petition Assignment Vocabulary Section (due Monday)