Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

Proclamation of 1763, Quebec Act, Durham Report, Act of Union

Documents in Context

Proclamation of 17631)End of 7 Years War

2) British victory3) Created Quebec, protected

some Canadien traditions, some aspects not enacted

Quebec Act 17741)1774

2)Assimilation, loyalty3)Enlarged territory, a final intolerable act, Canadien

protection, no elected assembly

Durham Report 1839 1)Post Rebellions

2)Request for cause/recommendations

3)Moving forward with ideas of reform and union

Act of Union 18401)Reaction to Durham Report

2)The accepted portion of the Durham Report

3)Showed difference between colony and country, fanned the flames of

reform, beginning of merger of colonies

For each document…1)Context (date, event)

2)Why A (motivated creation)3)Why B (historical

significance)

Proclamation of 1763

Provision Rationale

Created Quebec colony & protected Canadien traditions

Establish control

English laws to be enacted Control, encourage English migration from Maritimes

Promise for elected Assembly In favour at the time, no intent to enact

Britain’s Overarching Aims: Establish Control, Establish British Way of Life in formerly “enemy territory”, Prevent Thirteen-Colonies Style

Unrest

Looking Back: Considering the times and context, were the provisions unreasonable?

Quebec Act 1774

Provision Reaction

Laws- French civil law and English criminal law

Seigneurs and clergy pleased

Way of Life- Catholicism, language

Canadiens pleased

Territory- added Ohio Valley and Labrador to colony

English merchants pleased

Britain’s Overarching Aims: Encourage progress and English domination while appeasing the Canadiens enough to avoid conflict; Avoid

responsible government

Think:1)The Quebec Act was one of the Intolerable Acts associated with the

American Revolution. Why?2)Why would Britain not be keen on granting the right to vote to

Roman Catholics ,and thus deny responsible government to the entire Quebec colony?

Durham Report- Context and Key Questions

Context:•Britain has lost 13 colonies, only 6 remain•Noted similarities between conditions leading to rebellions of 1837/8 and the American Revolution.•Critics of British government accusing it of neglecting the North American colonies in terms of leadership and in allowing local democracy.

Key Questions•What did Durham identify as the causes of the 1837/8 rebellions?•What does responsible government mean and why did Durham recommend it?•How did the Act of Union affect the relationship among the five colonies?•How did responsible government come about in Nova Scotia, and the Canadas (Upper and Lower)?

What geographic and cultural characteristics discouraged cooperation among the colonies?

Lord Durham

The Man:•John “Radical Jack” Lambton•Powerful voice of reform in 1830s•Advocated for secret ballot and extended voting rights•Born 1792 Died 1840

The Job:•Head Commission of Inquiry into 1837/8 Rebellions•Make recommendations for the future of Canadas.•Serve as GG.•“People who wanted to see political change in the colonies were pleased by Durham’s appointment.” Why?

Lord Durham (II)

The (Original) Idea:•Joining colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada and Maritimes into single legislative union.

The Benefits:•Prevent local oligarchies from controlling political life.•Increased tax-base to fund large-scale projects

The Reaction:•NO WAY. Why?

The (Next) Idea:•Union of Upper and Lower Canada only.•Supported by William and Robert Baldwin.

Robert Baldwin

The Proposal

Responsible Government is…•A system where the government is responsible to the elected Assembly and the people who elect them.•A system already in existence in Britain at this time.

The Baldwin Brothers’ Proposal:•Colonial Governor (British appointed) serves as Head of State•Governor must choose Executive Council from the elected members of the Legislative Assembly.•Governor must accept the advice of the council on domestic matters.•Governor (and Britain) maintains control over foreign affairs.•Where does the true (domestic) power lie with this system?

I would ask Your Lordship, would the people of England endue any system of Executive Government over which they had less influence than that which at present exists [in the Canadas]? Your Lordship knows they would not. Can you then expect the people of these colonies with their English feelings and English sympathies to be satisfied with less.. They can see a reason why their relations with foreign countries should be placed in other hands: but none why their domestic concerns should not be managed upon similar principles to those applied in the administration of the Imperial Government…”

Robert Baldwin to Lord Durham August 1838

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Baldwin’s Proposal for Responsible Government

The Proposal (II)

Baldwin’s Proposal Existing Structure

The Baldwin’s Proposal Appeals to Durham…1.Form of government similar to Britain’s (familiarity).2.Responsible government for local issues (thus silencing complaints).3.Acceptable to important leaders in all 6 colonies.

One exception…1.No responsible government extended to Lower Canada. Why?

• Unfavourable view of Canadiens, and yet treated rebel leaders leniently.

The Report

Causes of Conflict in Lower Canada•Industrial Economy vs. Agricultural Economy“I expected to find a contest between a government and a people: I found two nations warring in the bosom of single state…It will be acknowledged…that sooner or later the English race was sure to predominate even numerically in Lower Canada.”Causes of Conflict in Upper Canada•Clergy Reserves“as most emigrants are not members of the COE, the disproportion is likely to increase…I know of no mode of this question being settled but by repealing all provisions in Imperial Acts that relate…to the clergy reserves…”

On the Union of the Canadas•Solution to political, cultural and economic problems: assimilation.“I have little doubt that the French, when once placed by legitimate course of events and the working of natural causes, in a minority, would abandon their vain hopes of a nationality.”On Responsible Government•Noted envy of colonists of economic prosperity and democratic system of USA.•Annexation a real threat.“this is the last effort of their almost exhausted patience…and that the government of the colony should henceforth be carried on in conformity with the views of the majority of the Assembly.”

The Report (II)

Reactions:•Oligarchies (FC, CC)

• Fearful• See pg. 61

•Atlantic Colonies• Supportive• “two prime recommendations, being perfectly simple and

eminently British.”•Reformers (British, Colonial)

• Content• “Death to the Family Compact and up with the Durham

Constitution!”•Canadien leaders

• Insulted•Tories (British, Colonial)

• Saw as an attack on their privileges and power.

The Act of Union (1840)

Accepted•Union of Canadas into one colony•Debts merged into one.•Canada West and Canada East.•One elected Legislative Assembly- each Canada had equal representation. **

Denied•Structures to implement Responsible Government.

The Act of Union (III)

Opposition•Canadien moderates.•Catholic Church

Supporters•British government

• Approved 1840 (July), Proclamation 1841•British minority in the Canadas. Why?

• Industrialisation vs. agriculture• Bigotry• Editorials on voting rights qualifications

•Tory-dominated Assembly in Upper Canada • Qualifications:

• Loan to cover newly combined debts.• Relocation of capital to Kingston• English the only official language.