LOWER CANADA Flashcards
What was the system of land tenure in Lower Canada?
The seigneurial system - in which land was granted to a seigneur (a large landowner) who’d grant the land to tenants to farm in exchange for rent.
Why did the seigneurial system contrast unfavourably to the system in Upper Canada of free hold tenure?
Because owning land encouraged investment and land improvement.
What year was the Quebec Act and, in it, what did Britain allow and recognise?
1774 - Britain allowed the practice of Catholicism, and recognised the French Civil Law - that, at death, property was divided amongst all of a person’s sons, not just the eldest as British law permits.
Who were the Patriotes?
Francophone professionals, for the protection of french identity, supporting reform of the system of political power and inspired by the American Revolution.
What years was Lord Dalhousie governor?
1821-28
What year did the Lower Canada assembly refuse to vote, and why?
1827, because Dalhousie had prorogued a session of parliament (discontinued it without officially dissolving it) because he refused to accept the patriot leader as speaker of the house.
How many people signed the petition for Dalhousie’s removal as governor?
87,000
To avoid threats of revolt inspired by the revolt in America, what did the Quebec Act (1774) entail?
guaranteed freed practice of Catholicism, and accepted the use of French civil law for private law
What date did the Canada Committee publish its report, and what was this on?
July 1829 - it was on Canadian issues, largely constitutionally, but the report suggested no mechanism for change.
Why did the British government fail to act on this (Canada Committee’s Report)?
Because the Whig government (1830-) was too focused/concerned with Britain’s own reform, demonstrated in the 1832 Great Reform Act, which implemented electoral reform in Britain.
What year did the British parliament pass the Howick Act, what was this, and why did they pass it?
1831, it gave local assemblies control of revenues from duties on Canadian goods. In exchange, the government hoped assemblies would agree to their Civil List - the amount provided for the payment of government officials.
