1. Early Canadian History ~ Part 2

2. The Loyalists Time Period
The period leading up to, during and following the revolutionary War ( )
Who were the Loyalists?
The American colonists who believed they should remain loyal to the British Crown or who were forced to follow that belief (slaves)

3. The Loyalists Who Were They (cont’d)
Most were immigrants or children of immigrants from the British Isles but they also included descendants of German settlers, Dutch, Huguenot, Jewish, Indians and Blacks
Those who migrated as a result of the revolution and the Late Loyalists who migrated following the Peace of Paris 1783 in the hopes of compensation from the British Government

4. The Loyalists How Many and Where Did They Go?
Something in excess of 100,000 left the American colonies
~ 60,000 went to Britain or the Caribbean
~ 35,000 went to NS and Quebec
~ 10,000 came to various areas of what is now Ontario
#s in comparison to Patriots and Mugwumps

5. The Loyalists Black Loyalists
~ 3,000 Blacks emigrated to NS – about 5,000 in total to all of the colonies
Were not treated equally
Land grants were smaller (~ 20 hectares vs in other areas)
Land was generally of poorer quality
Many attempted to return to Sierra Leone
Slaves brought to UC were freed in 1793 – in the rest of the British Empire in 1833

6. The Loyalists The Influence of the Loyalists
They brought education and experience to political life
A determination to build strong, independent communities separate from the US
Frustrated with the lack of an Assembly
Frustrated with French laws for land and property

7. The Loyalists Results of the Loyalist Migration
Colony of NB was created as a result of Loyalists settlement in the St. John River Valley
Quebec was divided by the Constitutional Act 1791 into UC and LC
Population balance was altered
Language
Religion
Attitude to government
Attitude to education
Attitude to commerce

8. The Constitutional Act, 1791
Major Provisions
Division of Quebec into UC and LC
Limited (very) Legislative Assembly
Land tenure system different in the two colonies
Clergy Reserves established
RC religion and the laws of the Canadien were protected
English Civil Law in UC

9. The Constitutional Act, 1791
Intentions of the Act
Allow the two races to enjoy familiar institutions and develop on their own
Assumption was that UC would be such an example of prosperity and happiness that the French would abandon their old ways and become assimilated
Still looked for by many

10. The Constitutional Act, 1791
Results (some) of the Constitutional Act
The Assembly in LC was ineffective in achieving the wishes of the merchants
The powers of the Assemblies were kept deliberately weak (glorified tax collectors)
Increasing racial friction in LC
A complete failure in granting Responsible Government to solve the problems of the colonies

11. Take What You Know Apply It.
Who was living in ‘Canada’ at the time of the Conquest?
What changes took place in the population between 1759 and 1791?
What territorial changes took placein this period?
What might the reactions of various groups have been?

12. Working It Out Get together in small groups
Brainstorm what the possible reactions of various groups might have been to the changes that took place.
Record your ideas on chart paper
Present your ideas.