Build up to Lower Canadian Revolt Flashcards
(40 cards)
Lower Canada Context
- Same political structure as Upper Canada but society was different, French civil law was kept.
- Quebec Act
- Canadian Consitution
- Had own version of family compact, the Chateau Clique
When was the Quebec Act?
1774
What was the Quebec Act?
Guaranteed free practice of catholicism.
When was the Canadian Constitution?
1791
What did the Canadian Consitution do?
- Created two canadian provinces and ensured the political system in both.
- But allowed French citizens to maintain seignur system land distribution.
Threat of America to Lower Canada
- British saw taxaions as cause for AWOI, so legislative assemblies were set up but seen as just ‘talking shop.’
- To stop USA stirring up trouble, freedoms given to French catholics and French civil law were given, indicating that they were most concerned with Lower Canada and tended to ignore issues in Upper Canada.
Why did Anti-American Concessions not stop growing discontent in Lower Canada?
- Real power still remained with executive and the councils (Chateau Clique) so discontent began to grow.
Long term causes of tensions in Lower Canada?
- 1820s saw economic downturn, blamed on French but due to lack of investment.
- Exacerbated by Financial Crash, and two decades of subsequent downturn.
- Plan to unite Canada’s met with widespread opposition as French would become minority.
- Canada Trade Act
When was the Financial Crash?
1832
When was the plan to unite the Canada’s?
1832
When was the Canada Trade Act?
1832
What did the Canada Trade Act do?
Stopped US from using Canadian waterways and imposed tariff on US goods.
Why did the Canada Trade Act cause tensions?
- Act liked in Upper Canada but not by farming community in Lower Canada.
- Caused perception in Lower Canada that Upper Canada was favoured as not French
- Led to rise of the Patriotes
What else led to Rise of Patriotes
- French citizens in lower Canada became increasingly concerned with about their rights and aspirations not being protected, due to Chateau Clique who were mainly British and made up most of Executive Council.
Impact of founding of Patriotes?
- French citizens mobilised themselves into Patriotes who became majority in legislative assembly, which led directly to conflict with Governor Dalhousie.
- The assembly refused to vote on money to pay officials on council leading to shutdown of government.
- Dalhousie also prorogued assembly because he would not allow a Patriote speaker.
What did the conflict between Dalhousie and Patriots result in?
- 87,000 Lower Canadians signed a petition for his removal.
When did Dalhousie leave Lower Canadian government?
1828
Who was Louis-Joseph Papineau?
Papineau was leader of the Patriot party in the 1820s and 30s
How significant was the role of Louis-Joseph Papineau?
- Refused a position on the council offered by Dalhousie.
- Responsible for refusal of assembly to accept financial compromises in the 1830s.
When did Papineau refuse a position on the council?
1820
What 3 events in the early 1830s created a democratic deficit in Lower Canada?
- During election 2 Patriotes had been shot during a demonstration.
- Cholera Outbreak put more pressure on politics as little was done to help situation.
- Legislative demands vetoed.
In what year were 2 Patriotes in the election?
1832
In what year as the Lower Canadian Cholera Outbreak?
1832
How many resolutions were vetoed in the council and in what year?
92 resolutions in 1834.
