1. The Chateau Clique & the Patriotes
Lower Canada:
The Chateau Clique
& the Patriotes

2. Introduction In lower Canada there were two opposing groups:
The Canadiens: French speaking majority in Lower Canada
Vs.
The Chateau Clique:
Wealthy, English speaking, British settlers in Upper Canada
Business/merchant class

3. I. Struggles in Lower Canada
Boundaries of the Quebec Act of 1774
I. Struggles in Lower Canada
Had similar struggles in Upper Canada in addition to:
Concerned with preserving their ‘Canadien’ culture that they felt was being threatened by the English-speaking immigrants & Chateau
In Lower Canada the roots of the conflict lay in the history of Quebec
Recall from earlier that the following Acts protected the culture of French Canada
Quebec Act 1774
Constitutional Act of 1791
Cultural division according to the Constitutional Act

4. II. POWER OF THE CHATEAU CLIQUE
Favoured the building of canals to link the factories of Montreal and Quebec to markets in Upper Canada – how would farmers feel about more canals?
Wanted the ‘Canadien’ population to adopt a British way of life
Blocked efforts of reformers to achieve responsible government
Angered that the Canadien-dominated Assembly blocked free trade & commerce to Upper Canada

5. III. Frustration OF THE Chateau Clique towards the Canadiens
The Canadiens did not see the necessity of trade as their emphasis was on farming & the fur trade –the existing economic system which made them self-sufficient in that region. (The clique wanted to focus on their methods of trade, that only the rich could afford).
Increased taxation to then burden the struggling French farmer and only benefit the wealthy British merchant class
Note the lack of roads connecting the two colonies…

6. IV. Frustration of the Canadiens towards the chateau clique:
Saw the British as arrogant conquerors
Chateau Clique had power & privileges
Felt the best land went to English-speaking immigrants
Feared that the Chateau Clique’s low opinion of the Canadiens would result in the British forcing assimilation of the Canadiens.
Angry at taxation and trade policies set out by government (did not benefit them).

7. V. UNREST Government was in the hands of English Speakers
The French believed their only connection to the Government (Catholic Church) had ‘sold them out’ to English interests.
Believed that Britain was discriminating against them:
English Immigrants were brining disease (cholera…) across to “kill them”
No more Quebec Act, afraid Britain would try to assimilate them.
The Canadiens were getting frustrated because no change was happening

8. VI. CANADIENS CALL FOR CHANGE IN Lower Canada
Wanted a democratic government
Called themselves The Patriotes
the radical Group, led by Louis Joseph Papineau (lawyer)
Led the Parti Canadien to earn 80% of the seats in the Legislative Assembly
called for an elected legislative council in Lower Canada
sought all the same powers & privileges enjoyed by the British parliament.
list of 92 resolutions outlining Canadien grievances over the way the colony was governed

9. Complete the chart (only up to #5) the on the causes of the Lower rebellion.
COLONY
UPPER CANADA
LOWER CANADA
1. OLIGARCHY:
Family Compact
Wealthy elite
Loyalists
Believed….
Chateau Clique
English Elite
French Elite
Believed…
2. Canadien
LEADER
Mackenzie
Papineau
3. RELIGION
4. REFORMIST DEMANDS
5. DIRECT CAUSES OF THE REBELLIONS
6. BATTLES
7. RESULTS
8. ABORIGINALS

10. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TASK
With a partner, you must decide whether you are a writer for the Pro-Patriote newspaper, The Vindicator OR the Reformist newspaper The Colonial Advocate. Your boss has just asked you to design a new front page for tomorrow’s newspaper. Using your knowledge about the frustrations in Upper or Lower Canada design a front page that appeals to your target audience (the reformers/radicals/patriotes etc.) Creativity is encouraged, but historical accuracy is most important!
Your article must include:
An interesting headline & appropriate date (Fall 1837) /4
Picture (drawing) of a specific issue that appeals to your target audience (e.g. scarcity of land, increasing # of English, no representation in government) /10
Brief description outlining the issues in your picture, and/ or details involving other issues at the time. /5
Authenticity (make it seem like a newspaper clipping from the 1830s) /6
TOTAL /25