planting the seed of nationhood

PLANTING THE SEED OF

NATIONHOOD

1838-1855

Outline Lord Durham- Durham Report New Governor General The Act of Union Rebellion Losses Bill Responsible Government The Atlantic Provinces

Lord Durham Radical Jack Sent by Great Britain to investigate the

grievances that sparked the Rebellions Stayed for 5 months Composed the Durham Report

The Durham Report Two recommendations

The two colonies of Upper and Lower Canada should become one colony called the United Province of Canada

The new united colony should have responsible government

1st Recommendation Uniting the two colonies would make an

English majorityA majority would be held in the Legislative

Assembly Ultimately to overwhelm and assimilate

the French Canadians

2nd Recommendation That colonies have authority over their

own internal affairs The Executive Council members would

be chosen by the leader of the largest group in the Legislative Assembly rather than by the Governor

The Governor would not take sides, but would sign into law any bills recommended by the Executive Council

Although it sounded radical, Durham was simply suggestingthat the colonies be given the same parliamentary rights

available to the citizens of Great Britain

Investigative Conclusions Upper Canada

Sourced the problem to an outdated colonial system and a haughty ruling elite

Lower CanadaConflict was divided along linguistic and cultural lines

Solution?Unite the two colonies into a single unit,

and give the English-speaking people control of the newly named colony.

Act of Union-1841 Upper and Lower Canada are joined to

become the United Province of Canada It was hoped that the English-speaking

members from both areas would unite and control the Legislative Assembly

by having the majority of votes

ACT OF UNION, 1841

Rebellion Losses Bill-1849 This was the first test of responsible

government The bill was to pay for property

damaged in Canada East resulting from the Rebellion of 1837

Canada West had already been compensated similarly

Opposition to the Bill Tories (Family Compact + supporters)

Felt the Rebels were traitors

Governor Elgin lacked supportNonetheless he was committed to the principle of

responsible government and followed through with the wishes of the Legislative Assembly. The Bill passed.

Responsible Government

Canada West Canada East

Executive Council

Legislative Assembly

The Atlantic Provinces Nova Scotia

First colony to receive responsible government1847

New Brunswick1854

NewfoundlandAsked in 1846Granted 1855

Prince Edward Island1851