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Sourced the problem to an outdated colonial system and a haughty ruling elite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