1. How the People Were Governed
Chapter 4
How the People Were Governed

2. Why do we need laws?
To resolve conflict – to allow people to settle disagreements.
To maintain social cohesion: so that we can live together in groups and communities.
To control anarchy.
To protect weaker people.
To control man’s “sinful nature.”

3. Timeline – page 70
Using the timeline on page 70, answer the following questions about Newfoundland government:
How long did part-time naval governors rule in Newfoundland?
When was a full-time civil governor appointed?
When was Newfoundland made a Crown Colony?
How much time passed between the period of representative government and the institution of responsible government in Newfoundland?
What significant event took place in 1824? 1832? 1855?

4. The Colonial Building, St. John's
The Colonial Building in St. John’s was Nefoundland’s first government building. Notice the pillars: these structures are usually found on judicial buildings. There is also a cannon. Remember that government in the 1800’s was particularly tied to military. The enforcement of law and order often required military actions.
If the Colonial Building were designed today, how do you think it might be different?

5. The Colonial Building, St. John's
The Colonial Building in St. John’s was Newfoundland’s first government building. Notice the pillars: these structures are usually found on judicial buildings. There is also a cannon. Remember that government in the 1800’s was particularly tied to military. The enforcement of law and order often required military actions.
If the Colonial Building were designed today, how do you think it might be different?

6. The Evolution of Government
Early forms of government in Newfoundland and Labrador were a result of the migratory fishery.
British ships would come to Newfoundland to fish in the summer and Britain view Nfld as a fishing station only.
Authority was entrusted to individual ship captains, who were called “admirals”. The admirals were given certain privileges for the fishing season.
After 1728, a naval commander was put in place as a supreme military, judicial, and civil official.

7. The Evolution of Government 1800-1855
Until the 1800’s, Nfld was viewed by Britain as a fishing station only – not a settlement
As people settled, a naval governor was appointed to keep law and order. Resided for fishing season only until 1817.
In 1824, after a population of approx. 50,000 had settled, Newfoundland was named a Crown Colony and a civil governor was appointed
British government continued to have full control
William Carson and Patrick Morris helped Newfoundlanders fight for their right to govern themselves

8. Abilities
Skills
Attitudes
Major Achievements
William Carson
Professional
Doctor
Politician
Able to implement change
Had a vision for community development
Good speaker
Outspoken
Sympathetic
Kind
Set up medical practice
Lobbied for construction of civic hospital
Promoted farming
Promoted whaling
Elected as politician
Fought for rights of poor
Patrick Morris
Businessman
Political and Judicial Reformer
Able to implement change and to establish and operate a business
Positive
Selfless
Established a model farm
Played a key role in establishing Orphan Asylum School
Fought for rights of Nfld’ers
Successful politician

10. What factors led to Nfld becoming a Crown Colony?
Between 1816 and 1818, fish prices fell and poverty spread. Hard winters and fires in St. John’s led to violence and unrest. This period was called the “Winter of the Rals.”
Rals: a term used to describe the homeless who roamed the streets looking for food and shelter.
Britain sent emergency relief and instructed Governor Sir Francis Pickmore to stay year-round.
The naval government came under increasing criticism after 1815, since it did not suit the new, growing colony. It was also costly and difficult for Britain to maintain Newfoundland from such a distance.
Local reformers demanded a new form of government and Britain agreed, naming Nfld a Crown Colony in 1824.

11. Representative Government
Britain granted Newfoundland representative government in 1832.
Definition: This was a system of government whereby Newfoundland and Labrador would have a governor and a legislative council appointed by Britain and an assembly elected by the people.
The assembly had little authority and could only suggest new laws for approval.
The first House of Assembly had 15 members representing nine electoral districts (page 73).
Link: The first Newfoundland election in 1832

12. The Problems with Representative Government
There were many problems with representative government, including:
The appointed council held most of the power (not the elected assembly).
Council: mainly wealthy Protestants
Assembly: represented the poor and fishermen and were mainly Catholics and Methodists
These two groups quarreled and it prevented progress.
Voting by standing caused intimidation and violence.
Newspapers were involved in controversy and were attacked for their political opinions (ex. cartoon)

13. Responsible Government
Political reformers needed a new system and this was responsible government. They fought for it for several years and it was granted in 1855.
Under this system,
1. the governor would have no real power.
2. the governor would select a council from the assembly and this executive council (the “cabinet”) was chosen from the party with the most seats.
3. the leader of that party was the “premier”.
4. the council and assembly made laws, putting real power in the hands of the people.

14. Philip Francis Little was Newfoundland’s first premier
Philip Francis Little was Newfoundland’s first premier. He was a lawyer from Prince Edward Island. This form of responsible government remained in place in the province until 1934 (our current system is much the same as this one).

15. Challenges and Government Responses
Responsible government placed the power of running the province into the hands of the people. Newfoundland was a very small population with a large land mass; there was a lot of poverty and a low standard of living (poor diet, illness), and religious differences. This new government faced a number of challenges after it was created in

16. 1. Denominational Compromise
Political parties were largely based on religion.
Caused a riot – 3 killed, 20 wounded.
Result: an attempt to remove religion from politics.
In 1874, schools were organized based on religious denominations: denominational school system was created – separate schools for Roman Catholic, the Church of England, and Methodist Church.
Remained this way for over 100 years, until 1997.

17. 2. Confederation
In 1869, Newfoundlanders debated joining Canada – the Confederation issue.
Newfoundland premier Frederic Carter felt that joining Canada would be positive.
However, anti-Confederate Charles Fox Bennett won a large victory – Newfoundland secured its independence for the next 80 years and the confederation debate would not arise again until the late 1940’s.

19. Arguments For Against
Newfoundland was in need of change in its government.
People were not making as much money as they could if Nfld joined Canada – minimum wage would increase.
Confederation will provide finances to generate employment.
Union would provide strength.
Would get rid of Great Britain controlling Newfoundland.
Newfoundland should stand on its own and continue to self-rule.
Could lead to increased taxation.
Newfoundland could lose control of resources and the revenues generated by those resources.
Those who choose Canada will be treated as traitors.
Should show allegiance to Britain.

20. 3. Newfoundland Railway
Many Newfoundlanders felt that building a railway would help solve some problems in the 1870’s and 1880’s. It would open up land-based resources and could create jobs in mining, farming, and logging. It would also bring together Newfoundland’s growing population.
Construction began in 1881 and was completed in 1897.
Robert Reid was given a contract to build from Whitbourne to Hall’s Bay, and from Gaff Topsails to PAB.
Was initially planned to go to St. George’s but did not because this was a part of the French Shore.
Because the railway opened up access to the interior, the caribou herd dropped dramatically and the impact on the Mi’kmaq was catastrophic.

23. Crises of the 1890’s Great Fire of 1892
Fires in 1817 and 1846 destroyed large areas of St. John’s.
The Great Fire of 1892 started with a dropped pipe in a barn and due to a dry month and a heavy north-east wind, the fire spread rapidly through the joined wooden buildings of downtown. Water pressure was low and the fire could not be easily contained.
People stored valuables in stone buildings, believing them to be safe from collapse, but they were wrong.
$13 million in damages, only $4.8 million covered by insurance.

27. Government responses to the Great Fire:
1. Food and supplies provided.
2. Vessels sent to Halifax and NY for supplies.
3. Temporary sheds and tents erected for homeless.
4. Fire relief committee was established.
5. Official fire department established.

28. Crises of the 1890’s 2. The French Shore Crisis
France claimed that an early agreement gave them the exclusive to fish on the French Shore (from Cape St. John to Cape Ray), but Britain argued that the British were also allowed to fish along this same area. The French protested.
It was not until the late 19th century that French living in Newfoundland began to pay taxes and sent representatives to the House of Assembly.
In 1904, an entente cordiale, an agreement between France and Britain, forced the French to give up their rights to the French Shore.

30. Effects of the French Shore Crisis:
The existence of the French Treaty Shore had a significant impact on Newfoundland's history because:
1. The settlement and development of the Shore was delayed as a result of the French presence.
2. The route of the Newfoundland Railway was influenced by the Shore's existence.
The French Shore affected the decision to build the first newsprint mill at Grand Falls, and not on the west coast.
Nationalism: pride in one’s country.

31. Crises of the 1890’s The 1894 Bank Crash
On December 10, 1894 – “Black Monday” – two of Newfoundland and Labrador's three banks closed their doors and never opened them again. Businesses collapsed, workers became suddenly unemployed, families lost their savings, and Newfoundland was left with no circulating currency.

32. 2. Economy was dependent on the fishery, which began to fail.
Causes of the Crash:
1. Large loans to merchants who were already in debt. The merchants were also the directors of banks and approved loans to themselves.
2. Economy was dependent on the fishery, which began to fail.
3. Decline in demand for salt fish and seal products.
4. Large loans for the building of the Newfoundland Railway.
5. Exporting all fish from the province, not processing it here.
The Aftermath: Many families rebounded quickly because of a good spring seal hunt and summer fishery. As well, Canadian banks arrived on the island and Newfoundland adopted Canada’s currency.

33. William Coaker and the FPU
Rural Newfoundland was underrepresented before
William Coaker formed Fishermen’s Protective Union to share the wealth among working-class.
By 1914, the FPU membership was 20,000.
Coaker wanted to change the truck system because it left fishermen powerless.
The union was believed to be Anti-Catholic.
Coaker also influenced government and elected 8 members to the House of Assembly.