Changes to Upper and Lower Canada

Chapter 4 - Notes 2

Changes in the Economy➢ Difficulties with fur trade began in the

19th century ○ running out of fur nearby○ the costs to obtain it were too great

➢ Agriculture also experienced difficulties○ poor harvests began in approx. 1830○ this caused food shortages, which lead to

social tensions

1806● Great Britain was under an

economic blockade imposed by France

blockade = preventing country from important or exporting goods

● Britain turned to colonies for raw materials, primarily timber

➢ Timber trade became Lower Canada’s main industry by 1820.

New Modes of Transportation

Canals were built to help the ships navigate the waterways.

Lachine (1825)

Chambly (1843)

Railway was built by 1850s.

Changes in the SocietyThe changes in economy and the new Legislative Assembly caused changes in Lower Canada’s society.

Two of the influential social groups in Lower Canada were:

British business class● also known as the British merchants● they were involved in the new

economic activities, such as timber● therefore, they became wealthy and

powerful● several got involved in politics… they

formed a majority of the Executive and Legislative Councils

Canadien liberal bourgeoisie● mostly professionals (doctors, lawyers,

etc)● weren’t involved in the business world● several of them went into politics to

protect the rights of the Canadiens● they mainly sat in the Legislative

Assembly

There were a lot of changes due to a diversified immigration into Lower Canada.● Scottish Protestants● Irish Catholics

(see document 18 on page 18)

Canadiens began feeling uneasy with this increase in English population.

Increased tensionsMore tensions continued to arise between the Canadiens and the British colonists. Besides the constant disagreement in terms of languages, there were:

➢ disputes over the funding of the canal constructions

➢ unequal division of the custom taxes received

What do you think happened because of all these conflicts and tensions?