Transcript Official Power & Countervailing Power

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In 1760, British forces take control of
Montreal
› Britain and France were fighting in Europe (Seven
Year’s War) and thus fighting broke out within the
colonies.
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1760 -1763:
Governed by
the
occupying
army
The main reasons for the defeat were:
› The extremely vast territory and low population of
New France
› Britain’s stronger and larger military forces (army
and navy)
› France’s inability to send reinforcements (too
expensive)
› New France relied too much on the mother
country, while the 13 colonies were much more
independent.
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In 1763, the Royal Proclamation, creates
a system similar to that of New France:
› A governor was appointed by the King, who would the
select members for an Executive council.
› British criminal and civil laws apply
› Encouraged trade to increase the wealth of the British
empire.
› Had to fight off the French, the natives and the Thirteen
Colonies
› Had to maintain internal order in a society composed of
former enemies (the French)
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Quebec under the Royal Proclamation - 1763
The Royal Proclamation was intended to assimilate the
French and favour the British:
› Roman Catholics were not allowed to hold public office and
therefore could not participate in administration
› No new Roman Catholic Bishops could be appointed to serve
the colony
› Protestant churches and schools were encouraged
› Land was divided into townships for the occupation of British
and American colonists
Quebec under the Royal Proclamation - 1763
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Though the system was set up in this way, not all of the new
policies were enforced (particularly by the first Governor
James Murray):
› French laws were permitted
› Did not create an elected assembly because it would
have favoured the English speaking merchants
› Selected people who were sympathetic to the French to
be on his council.
Murray understood that the French greatly outnumbered the English
(less than 1% of the population was English speaking and Protestant.
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In 1774, the Quebec Act was passed:
 French civil law was reinstated
English criminal law was to remain in force
 Seigneurial rights and system restored
 The Tithe (church tax) could be collected again
 The Governor had an advisory council, 8 members
had to be French Canadian
 No elected assembly was required
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Most power was still in the hands of the governor
Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774
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Colonists did have some new freedoms under British Rule:
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Newspapers were authorized
Petitions could be presented to the governor
Had the right to form associations
Criminals had the right to a lawyer and trial by jury
Of course, these freedoms could be suspended at any time
by the state.
› Means of control was still intimidation and public
punishments, as well as military presence was still common
Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774
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The British State had some allies:
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The Natives (became the military partners of the English
and would fight during the American War of Independence)
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The French Canadian (Canadien) Nobility (state was
forced to ensure the loyalty of these powerful people –
French civil law as well as the seigneurial system)
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The Catholic Church (Quebec Act grants toleration of
Catholicism, even though it was illegal in England/ in
return bishops and priests preach loyalty to the British
crown)
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Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774
British colonists were upset with the political system
in Quebec:
› The Quebec Act was particularly frustrating for the English
because it tolerated Catholicism and allowed for French
civil laws.
› Because of their low numbers, they joined forces with the
Canadien population as well as the Loyalists, who were
also unsatisfied with the political system.
› They demanded the right to elect a legislative assembly
(so that they could exercise influence over state decisions)
Canadien bourgeoisie & Catholic church continued to oppose these changes.
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In 1791 the Constitutional Act allowed for the creation
of the legislative assembly.
› This was done to appease the Loyalists and the Canadiens.
› It was also beneficial for the colony because the assembly
could impose taxes
› Britain divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada
 French civil law and religion was maintained in Lower Canada
 Canadiens could now serve in administration
System of Government after the Constitutional Act
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Governor had ultimate power over both Upper and Lower
Canada
The Governor appointed two Lieutenant Governors for Upper
and Lower Canada
The Governor appointed an Executive Council to advise him (in
each of the Canadas)
The Legislative Council could approve or reject laws passed by
the Assembly (in each of the Canadas)
The Legislative Assembly was elected by the people, but since
they were not paid most members were professionals
›
To be able to vote, you had to be at least 21 years old, had to own property
and earn over 20 shillings a year (most families had 1 vote, and women
could vote if they met these qualifications)
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Though the new system allowed for more people
to have influence over the state’s decisions, there
were still problems with the new system in Lower
Canada:
› Positions in the assembly were not paid, so only the richest
members of society could run
› Poorest populations had no say
› Assembly was made up of mostly upper class, therefore
the decisions made were in the interests of these people
rather than the general population.
› Governor, Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Council all
had to approve a law for it to be passed.
The creation of an Assembly allows people to vote, but these decisions
can still be overturned – not Responsible Government.
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The Parti-Canadien, later known as the Parti-Patriote,
pushes for Responsible Government:
› In 1834, they drafted the 92 Resolutions and sent them to
Britain (a list of their demands)
› Their demands were not met, so they used pressure tactics
to force a change in the government:
 They dominated the Assembly at this time so they did not
support laws proposed by the opposing British Party, and refused
to pass budgets and funding projects
 This prevented the government from being able to function
properly
 They eventually began mass rallies and demonstrations to put
further pressure on Britain
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The Governments’ response was to go after the
Patriote leaders:
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In 1839, 12 Patriote leaders were publically hanged in Montreal
and 130 were deported, but the protests did not stop
Lord Durham was sent from Britain to propose a
solution to the problems
› He recommended Responsible Government, but Britain
did not follow through.
› Instead, they decided to unite Upper and Lower Canada
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In 1840, the Act of Union, combined the two
Canadas in an attempt to suppress the rebellions:
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Created Canada East and Canada West
Made the Canadiens a minority again so that they
could not longer influence the government
English became the official language
Encouraged the assimilation of the French
The Legislative Assembly still had no influence over
executive decisions
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In 1846, Britain applies a free trade doctrine,
allowing for the mother country and the colonies to
contend directly with global economic
competition (Britain would no longer solely depend
on its colonies for raw materials)
In 1848, the colonies are granted Responsible
Government.
› The Government of United Canada became bilingual, and was
governed by representatives elected by the people.
› The Governor reserved the right to nullify laws, but did not usually
intervene the decisions of the Assembly.
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As the government is now run mainly by the
bourgeoisie and entrepreneurs, the goals of the
government changed to suit their needs.
› Economic development within the colony became a
priority:
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Construction of canals to benefit merchants and traders
Construction of railways
New areas of colonization opened up
Creation of the Canadian dollar
Abolishment of the seigneurial system
Export markets for wood and wheat
Primary and Secondary education system to train workers
Catholic Church takes over social welfare and education
again
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The idea of Confederation of Canada comes
about in the 1860s.
Supporters included:
› The Catholic Church (believed that their privileges would
be better protected in a Catholic Province rather than
United Canada)
› Britain (colonies had become too expensive to maintain
and felt that they needed to govern themselves)
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Opponents were:
› The Parti-Rouge (French feared that they would loose their
political power)
In 1867 the Dominion of Canada is created