6) Societes of Upper and Lower Canada

Question 1

The Canadien population

Answer 1

Mostly Canadiens whose ancestors settled in the territory in the time of New France. It was composed of farmers, crafts people and labourers. It included members of the catholic clergy (bishops and parish priests). Only 10% of Upper Canada were Canadien.

Question 2

Growth of Canadien population

Answer 2

French immigration to Canada stopped after the conquest, but the Canadien population grew because of natural growth, favorable conditions and no war in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Question 3

Regions of colonization

Answer 3

The farmland of the seigneuries in the St. Lawrence Valley was overpopulated. This led to the colonization of new regions in Valley du Richelieu, Beauce and Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Question 4

Migration to cities

Answer 4

Overpopulation in the cities forced many people to give up farming and move to urban areas, so there was an increase of population in Montreal and Quebec. Living conditions in some of the towns were difficult for labourers working in factories and sawmills.

Question 5

Emigration to United States

Answer 5

Some Canadiens took advantage of the development of infrastructure of the United States. The New England states received Canadien immigrants who settled in industrializing towns and villages.

Question 6

What were members of the British elite members of in Upper and Lower Canada?

Answer 6

The governing class (governor, judges, military officers and council members).

Question 7

Growth of British population

Answer 7

The Anglophone population in Upper and Lower Canada increased by immigration. Between 1791 and 1812, a large number immigrated from the United States. The wave of immigration ended during the war of 1812.

Question 8

Why did British subjects want to immigrate to Canada?

Answer 8

They were attracted to concessions of free land made by the British government. British authorities offered land grants of up to 200 acres to families that were eager to settle in new lands.

Question 9

When did Immigration of British population resume?

Answer 9

1815, after the war of 1812, the immigrants came from Scotland, Ireland and England.

Question 10

Where did they settle?

Answer 10

Immigrants settled in both Upper and Lower Canada. Immigration to Upper Canada increased.

Question 11

Why did the British leave their homeland?

Answer 11

There were intolerable living conditions like famine and epidemics. Many Scottish, Irish and English families emigrated to North America for a better life.

Question 12

What were boats used for?

Answer 12

It was used for British Immigration, to transport passengers from Europe to North America. Dozens were crowded on the boat with poor ventilation and sanitary conditions.

Question 13

What happened to the passengers because of lack of hygiene and proper nutrition?

Answer 13

Diseases like cholera and typhus broke out.

Question 14

Quarantines

Answer 14

The authorities of Lower Canada set up a quarantine station at Pointe-Levy. To reduce the risk of outbreaks, another station in Grosse-Île was established in 1832 away from Quebec City. Immigrants who were at risk of being sick had to stay in the quarantine zone for 40 days.

Question 15

Places of Settlement

Answer 15

Newcomers had to find a place to settle since they had trouble crossing the Atlantic. Since most of the fertile land was occupied in Lower Canada, the colonial administration reserved attractive parcels of land and finances for newcomers in township systems in Lower Canada. Most Anglophones chose to live in Upper Canada or the United States.

Question 16

What happened since many Loyalists arrived?

Answer 16

There was an arrival of Anglicanism.

Question 17

The Diocese of Quebec

Answer 17

The anglican diocese of Quebec was founded in 1793. Jacob Mountain was appointed the first bishop.

Question 18

What was the first Anglican building built outside of British Isles?

Answer 18

The cathedral of the holy trinity built in Quebec city in 1804.

Question 19

What did the Bishop do by sitting on the legislative council?

Answer 19

He was able to counter the dominance of the Catholic religion in Lower Canada.

Question 20

What was the Anglican bishops rule?

Answer 20

To establish and maintain dominance of the Anglican religion in Upper and Lower Canada.

Question 21

What did British authorities want with the constitutional act?

Answer 21

To ensure the primacy and economy of the Anglican church, so it was granted one seventh of all land in township developments. In 1820, it was the end of free land distribution for the settlement of new colonists.

Question 22

Free public schools

Answer 22

The Anglican church played an important role in education. The Act for the Establishment of Free Schools or the Advancement of Learning in the Province was adopted in 1801. It was also known as the Royal Institution act, and it was the first education act to be approved in Lower Canada.

Question 23

How did people view this act?

Answer 23

Some thought it was a good way to educate, but others argued it was a way to anglicize and assimilate the Canadien population in Lower Canada.

Question 24

Jacob Mountain

Answer 24

He was born in England. He was a priest before becoming the first Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Quebec. He was in the legislative council and he tried to establish the construction of Anglican churches in a upper and Lower Canada. He would revoke laws that favoured catholicism, which would create tension between the two territories. He was also the driving force behind the establishment of the Cathedral of the holy trinity in Quebec.