Learning from past mistakes: Canada and the Durham Report 1837-1840
To what extent did the political nature and government systems of Upper and Lower
Canada minimise the perceived threat from the USA?
7 years war 1763 ended in Britain gaining all of New France (French colonies in North
America)
Evacuation of loyalists from American colonies after War of independence led to
1791 Constitution – this ensured French Catholics of continuing religious freedom
Upper Canada was mainly British (450k) whereas Lower Canada (650k) had majority
French people who identified as French and spoke French
Upper and Lower Canada had different land tenure systems, religions and languages
due to differences of settlement
Political systems, ordained by British, were very similar
Other colonies were separate and Canada as a single colony did not exist
Upper Canada
Upper Canada had more British settlers than Lower Canada – this increased due to
evacuation of loyalists from American colonies who were attracted by free land
1825 – Land went from being free to settlers to becoming available for auction. The
Canada company was set up to
develop the province
Upper Canada was governed by a
lieutenant governor appointed by
London.
Legislative assembly was reliant on
raising taxes
Executive council and lieutenant
governor had the power but were
responsible to London, not the
Legislative assembly
Members of the executive council were
chosen by lieutenant governor and
could also be removed by him
Family Compact ran the Executive
council who exercised power for own
benefit
Legislative assembly was elected locally and were mainly members of the legislative
council
Legislative council had to approve laws passed by assembly so they could block the
laws passed by the elected representatives
Family compact was bound together by the Anglican church and reluctance to
change constitution which would lose their grip on power
o Were described by Lord Durham as ‘petty, corrupt, insolent Tory Clique’
To what extent did the political nature and government systems of Upper and Lower
Canada minimise the perceived threat from the USA?
7 years war 1763 ended in Britain gaining all of New France (French colonies in North
America)
Evacuation of loyalists from American colonies after War of independence led to
1791 Constitution – this ensured French Catholics of continuing religious freedom
Upper Canada was mainly British (450k) whereas Lower Canada (650k) had majority
French people who identified as French and spoke French
Upper and Lower Canada had different land tenure systems, religions and languages
due to differences of settlement
Political systems, ordained by British, were very similar
Other colonies were separate and Canada as a single colony did not exist
Upper Canada
Upper Canada had more British settlers than Lower Canada – this increased due to
evacuation of loyalists from American colonies who were attracted by free land
1825 – Land went from being free to settlers to becoming available for auction. The
Canada company was set up to
develop the province
Upper Canada was governed by a
lieutenant governor appointed by
London.
Legislative assembly was reliant on
raising taxes
Executive council and lieutenant
governor had the power but were
responsible to London, not the
Legislative assembly
Members of the executive council were
chosen by lieutenant governor and
could also be removed by him
Family Compact ran the Executive
council who exercised power for own
benefit
Legislative assembly was elected locally and were mainly members of the legislative
council
Legislative council had to approve laws passed by assembly so they could block the
laws passed by the elected representatives
Family compact was bound together by the Anglican church and reluctance to
change constitution which would lose their grip on power
o Were described by Lord Durham as ‘petty, corrupt, insolent Tory Clique’
