1. Issues and Society in Lower Canada

2. Politics
The Canadien and British members of the legislative assembly had many disagreements.
1792: fought over the election of the Speaker of the House (Canadiens won)
1793: Fought over the language to be used in the Legislative Assembly. Canadiens wanted it to be bilingual, British wanted English. English became the official language, but some French was used in debates.
1805: Fought over taxes (taxing land hurt the Canadiens, taxing businesses hurt the English). Canadiens won.

3. Politics and the Press…
These disagreements led the French Canadiens and the British to split… to make two parties:
Parti Canadien
British Party
Both sides used the Press (newspapers) to express their ideas, opinions, and make demands.

4. Economics Fur trade Agriculture Timber Transport
Still important. Hudson’s Bay Company become more powerful.
Agriculture
Very important. Most of population lived in rural areas (farmland).
Crisis in 1830… bad harvest leads to lack of food.
Timber
Britain needed more wood to build ships.
Became most important industry by 1820.
Transport
Canals built (Lachine 1825, Chambly 1843)
By mid-1800s, railway was developed.

5. Society British Business Class Canadien liberal Bourgeoisie Wealthy
Controlled businesses and economics
Powerful in politics
Canadien liberal Bourgeoisie
Proffesionals… doctors, lawyers, notoraies… not in business world.
Liberal ideals (freedom, equality)
In politics for rights and freedoms of Canadiens.

6. Society (continued) Aboriginal People Immigration
Their way of life was threatened.
Needed to adapt (ex: Mohawk logdrivers)
Immigration
After 1815, many immigragts from British Isles (England, Scotland, Ireland)
Many immigrants entered the labour force (esp. Irish)