Topic 3: Learning from past mistakes: Canada and the Durham Report, 1837-40.
Introduction;
John George Lambton (1st Earl of Durham) published a report on the Affairs of British North America in
Jan 1839.
o Triggered by revolts in Britain's remaining North American provinces.
o Key document in the political development of the white settler colonies of the Empire in second
half of the 19th century.
o Suggestion that the colonies should elect governments and govern themselves in all domestic
matters.
o Durham's proposal was a genuinely innovative solution to the age-old problems of taxation,
representation and Empire.
Timeline;
1791 British parliament passes Constitutional Act establishing the provinces of Upper and
Lower Canada and their system of government.
1828 The parliament select committee (Canada Committee) reports recommending no
change in the system of government in Canada.
1831 Howick Act passes in Britain.
1834 February: Papineau's 92 Resolutions are presented to the legislative assembly in
Lower Canada.
1835 Sir Francis Bond Head arrives in Upper Canada as lieutenant governor.
Earl Gosford leads a parliamentary commission to enquire into the grievances of
Lower Canada.
1836 November: Gosford Commission publishes their sixth and final report.
1837 March: British parliament passes the 10 Russell Resolutions.
10 November: British cavalry exchange shots with the patriote militia in the revolt in
Lower Canada.
5 December: revolt in Upper Canada begins.
1838 January: both rebellions are effectively over and rebels are either in prison or have
fled over the border to the USA.
28 May: Lord Durham arrives in the Canadas with executive powers and to compile a
report on the future of the provinces for the British parliament.
9 October: Lord Durham resigns and returns to Britain.
1839 January: Lord Durham's report on the Affairs of British North America is published.
1840 July: British parliament passes the British North America Act for the provinces
commonly known as the Act of Union.
1848 February: the British grant responsible self-government to Nova Scotia.
Introduction;
John George Lambton (1st Earl of Durham) published a report on the Affairs of British North America in
Jan 1839.
o Triggered by revolts in Britain's remaining North American provinces.
o Key document in the political development of the white settler colonies of the Empire in second
half of the 19th century.
o Suggestion that the colonies should elect governments and govern themselves in all domestic
matters.
o Durham's proposal was a genuinely innovative solution to the age-old problems of taxation,
representation and Empire.
Timeline;
1791 British parliament passes Constitutional Act establishing the provinces of Upper and
Lower Canada and their system of government.
1828 The parliament select committee (Canada Committee) reports recommending no
change in the system of government in Canada.
1831 Howick Act passes in Britain.
1834 February: Papineau's 92 Resolutions are presented to the legislative assembly in
Lower Canada.
1835 Sir Francis Bond Head arrives in Upper Canada as lieutenant governor.
Earl Gosford leads a parliamentary commission to enquire into the grievances of
Lower Canada.
1836 November: Gosford Commission publishes their sixth and final report.
1837 March: British parliament passes the 10 Russell Resolutions.
10 November: British cavalry exchange shots with the patriote militia in the revolt in
Lower Canada.
5 December: revolt in Upper Canada begins.
1838 January: both rebellions are effectively over and rebels are either in prison or have
fled over the border to the USA.
28 May: Lord Durham arrives in the Canadas with executive powers and to compile a
report on the future of the provinces for the British parliament.
9 October: Lord Durham resigns and returns to Britain.
1839 January: Lord Durham's report on the Affairs of British North America is published.
1840 July: British parliament passes the British North America Act for the provinces
commonly known as the Act of Union.
1848 February: the British grant responsible self-government to Nova Scotia.
