Class+Notes+2009+-+2010

· Canada was growing in the east (Upper Canada) · Lower Canada and the Maritime Provinces grew because of ties to Britain and New England · Unfair land policies and bad government led to a confrontation between classes in Upper and Lower Canada that eventually lead to rebellions in both areas... Canada was invaded during the [|American Revolution] and [|War of 1812], the US was still threatening · Canada is a large and vast country with varied geography · HBC was a large trading company that held large monopolies over trading land · Northwest company was main competitior Following the war of [|1812] : · Emigrants started coming to Canada for rich, inexpensive farmland o Quebec continued steady population and economic growth o Maritimes used as trading posts § resourceful- lots of fish § well settled and stable · Upper Canada was the newest and most undeveloped colonies in the 1800’s. There where few roads, and places 30-40 kilometers from York (the capital) were considered remote · Society was very close knit, and life was hard for earlier settelers · Land speculators bought large amounts of land · The church and government owned large amounts of land · Government wanted to duplicate British model of landowning – large estates controlled by selected aristocrats >  · Some settled in the Eastern Townships, Lower Canada (St. Lawrence corridor, between Montreal and Quebec City)· Most settled in Upper Canada in what is now the London, Toronto, Ottawa area (past the St. Lawrence into the great lakes) · Extremely cheap fertile land close to markets and towns **The problem of land**
 * Colonies in the Wilderness
 * reinforced ties to the British empire
 * effected trade and settlement in the 19th century when the area was still developing
 * Government thinks that privileged few with lots of land more likely to maintain ties and loyalties to England and British institutions.
 * Republicans believed that British policies were anti-democratic and discriminatory and thought immigrant farmers should succeed from own efforts
 * Advertising awesome, optimistic futures
 * However, it was tough to get to Canada, conditions where horrible, and many died or got sick

· They arrived to find that most of good land has already been bought absentee landowners and speculators· Settlers came to Upper Canada to own their own freehold farms · They were angry because advertising campaigns back in Europe told of cheap, fertile lands, close to towns and markets · The Problem of land helped cause discontentment that led to Rebellion of 1837 · Rebels were unsatisfied with their level of representation in the government · Rebellions where unorganized and where unsuccessful, most rebels were hung. · Settlers were unhappy with: > Upper Canada led by **William Lyon Mackenzie** Lower canada led by **Louis-Joseph Papineau**. o Upper Canada became refuge for black American slaves fleeing the slavers o They traveled secretly through a network of trails “Underground Railroad” o Housed secretly in anti-slave homes (usually owned by Quakers or Methodists who thought slavery is a sin against God and humankind) o Harriet Tubman, a black activist, helped hundreds escape this way o Many black communities founded in Upper Canada by escaped slaves o Few found acceptance in Canada o No representation in Government for more than 100 years o Lived as communities within communities o Many moved into the remote lands in Upper Canada and joined the pioneers o Soon there were Black Communities in every Colony of British North America o Those who came during Loyalist wave of immigration settle in Maritimes o Many blacks are of Maritimers descent o In British Columbia there were several black communities (ex: Salt spring Island) o Many wanted to return to native Africa o A women’s place was determined by their class and the success of their husbands o All women were expected to marry o Spinsters (singles) were pitied because they must rely on the support of relatives o Hard work and long hours are the norm o Even upper-class women helped with the daily chores o Women worked together regardless of class to clear forests, and etc; this helped break some social barriers o Responsibilities: household jobs, housework, planting, harvesting, preserving harvest, candle and soap making o Were expected to have large families so that children may help with the work Childbirth was hazardous due to the shortage of medical care and poor hygiene
 * **Family Compact**, a group of aristocrats who ran Upper Canada
 * their projects to improve the colony (ie. canals) benefited the businessmen and not the settlers
 * lack of land development and land speculators
 * unused land owned by absentee landowners living in Europe or by the State and Church
 * their representation within the government
 * in lower Canada
 * __JAMES CRAIG__ was appointed governor in 1809. He was //very//anti-French.
 * He arrested those who criticized the government, and closed a reformist newspaper
 * He also made the proposal to unite the colonies.
 * Papineau made the ninety two resolutions, which were rejected by Brittan, and he declared rebellion
 * The two groups of reformers, in each colony of Canada, were close, though they differed in goals
 * In Upper Canada, Mackenzie wanted to follow the American example
 * In Lower Canada, Papineau wanted to seize control to implement the downfall of the Chateau Clique
 * They decided to rebel, but it was uncoordinated and defeated
 * Rebels were hung or sent away
 * Lord Durham’s report recommended...
 * - - that colonies be joined together and that they be given responsible government.
 * t hat all of British North America be united in time.
 * It was not well-received by the French in Lower Canada, as his goal, through unity, was to force the French to assimilate into English culture.
 * He reasoned that peace would never be achieved without some form of democracy (hence his recommendation for responsible gov.)
 * - Durham’s proposal would not be implemented for several years as successors were unwilling or unable to institute recommendations. But it would become the basis of our present system of government.
 * - Durham’s proposal would not be implemented for several years as successors were unwilling or unable to institute recommendations. But it would become the basis of our present system of government.