The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838
Timeline of Events
- During the 1820’s and 1830’s colonists of British North America began to call for change - or REFORM - in their system of government.
- The reformers wanted the authority to make decisions that affected their own lives.
The Push for Democracy:
Who had power in British North America?
Who has power in a democracy?
Who had power in British North America?
- British North America (B.N.A) had a colonial government - a government established in a colony and controlled by an imperial power (Britain).
- This meant that Britain appointed (chose) the people who had the power to make decisions (Governor and Councils)
- The assembly was elected by the colonists, but had less power than the governor and councils. They COULD NOT make decisions for the colony - they could only advise the governor and councils.
Who has power in a democracy?
- In a democracy, voters elect people to help make decisions. Therefore, voters hold a lot of power in the decision-making process.
- In B.N.A, reformers wanted voters to have more power. They wanted their assemblies to be elected to control the membership of the councils, and they wanted the councils (not the governor) to have full control of decision-making for local affairs.
The Rebellions of 1837 and 1838:
To what extent did demands for a democratic government reflect challenges in coexistence in B.N.A?
To what extent did demands for a democratic government reflect challenges in coexistence in B.N.A?
Who were the Reformers and what did they believe?
During the 1830’s there were three outspoken reformers in British North America:
Louis-Joseph Papineau
Lower Canada Believed the government was only looking out for the English minority in Lower Canada. He wanted Canadiens to have more say in decision-making. |
William Lyon MacKenzie
Upper Canada Believed people should elect their governments to benefit them. If a government does not benefit the people, then the people have the right to establish a new form of government. |
Joseph Howe
Nova Scotia Believed that the government should reflect the feelings of the people. |
Britain's Response to the Rebellions
The Durham Report
After using violence to settle the rebellions, the British investigated why they began in the first place. They did not want to lose Upper and Lower Canada like they had the Thirteen Colonies. They wanted to keep the peace and maintain British rule.
The Royal Commission was brought in - leader was Lord Durham - to study the problems in Upper and Lower Canada and make recommendations:
After using violence to settle the rebellions, the British investigated why they began in the first place. They did not want to lose Upper and Lower Canada like they had the Thirteen Colonies. They wanted to keep the peace and maintain British rule.
The Royal Commission was brought in - leader was Lord Durham - to study the problems in Upper and Lower Canada and make recommendations:
- Recommendation #1 - Union of Lower and Upper Canada ***English majority
- Recommendation #2 - More democratic government ***Britain have less of a role in the afairs of the colony.
- Recommendation #3 - Assimilate the Canadiens