1. 4.4 Tensions in Lower Canada 1815-1837

2. I. A Sense of National Belonging in the Colony
A sense of belonging to a Canadien nation of French origin or to a British nation led to society virtually split into two distinct groups:
Canadien Nationalism
Catholicism
French language
2. British Nationalism:
Loyalty to the British empire

3. II. Two opposing political parties
Two opposing parties emerged:
Parti Canadien
British Party
Division reigned concerning canal financing and custom duties
Parti Canadien
British Party
Canal Financing
Believe it will only benefit the English
Want to improve transportation networks for exporting
Custom Duties
Want to keep profit for Lower Canada
Want to share the profit collected at the Port in Lower Canada

4. III. Issues in Lower Canada
Economic Issues
Poor harvests & economic difficulties led to famine among the Canadien population.

5. Some demands of the 92 Resolutions
Political Issues
In 1826, the Parti Canadien became the Parti Patriote, led by Louis- Joseph Papineau
In 1834, members of the Parti patriote drafted the “92 Resolutions” making several demands
Some demands of the 92 Resolutions
Elected legislative council
Control of the budget
Protection of French language and civil law
Responsible Government/Ministerial Responsibility
Ministerial Responsibility: Members of the Executive are chosen from the elected Legislative Assembly

6. IV Response to the 92 Resolutions
Governor Aylmer dissolved the Legislative Assembly
British adopted the Russell Resolutions in response to the 92 Resolutions:
The Russell Resolutions rejected most of the demands of the Patriotes

7. 4.5 The Rebellions and their Consequences 1837-1840

8. I The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838
Political tension between authorities and Parti Patriote grows
Radical members planned an armed rebellion
In Upper Canada, Reform members of the Legislative Assembly plan the same

9. Louis-Joseph Papineau addressing the crowd
Popular Assemblies
Popular assemblies organized by Parti Patriote to voice discontent with British rule
Papineau calls for boycott of British goods
Patriote flag
Louis-Joseph Papineau addressing the crowd

10. The Colonial state’s Reaction
Governor Gosford responds with repression
Banned popular assemblies
Parti Patriote refused to vote on budget – paralyzes the government
Radical members create Fils de la liberté and called people to take up arms despite Papineaus’s opposition to violence
Parti Patriote continued to organize public assemblies, despite the ban the assembly of six counties

11. The Assembly of six counties

12. Armed Conflict
First battle took place in Saint - Denis where the Patriotes won.
The British Army and volunteer militia won every other battle and the rebellion was put down

13. Battle of Saint Denis – November
Final Battle of Saint Eustache – December

14. The Public’s Attitude toward the Rebellions
Attitudes towards the rebellions among the Canadiens was not unanimous
Supported:
General population supported the Patriotes but only 8000 took up arms
Liberal bourgeoisie supported Patriote demands but were against violence
Opposed:
Clergy opposed armed struggle because of its alliance to the government
Seigneurs opposed the Patriotes because they would lose their land and privileges

15. Results of the Rebellion
The Patriotes were defeated
100 were sentenced to death,
58 were exiled to Australia
12 executed

16. Rebellions in Upper Canada
Rebellions in Upper Canada were organized by William Lyon MacKenzie of the Reform party
They were quickly defeated

17. II The Durham Report
Lord Durham was appointed as the new governor and was entrusted to identify the causes of the rebellion and propose solutions

18. Causes of the Rebellions
Proposed Solutions
Assembly had limited power, since the councils could reject the laws they passed
Grant responsible government
The assembly was mostly Canadiens – their interests conflicted with the British leaders
Unite Upper and Lower Canada, create one assembly dominated by British - assimilate the Canadiens
Canadiens were the majority and refused British domination
Adopt English as the only official language
Institute massive British immigration - assimilate the Canadiens