THE ACT OF UNION AND THE EARLY DAYS OF THE

PROVINCE OF CANADA (1840-1849)

CHAPTER 1 PART 1
THE ACT OF UNION (1840)

1791 1840
THE ACT OF UNION (1840)

 Lord Durham’s report: 2 recommendations, including the union of the two Canadas.
 Belief that the assimilation of the French Canadians was necessary.
 How do you assimilate?
THE MERGING OF THE TWO CANADAS. WHY?

 Assimilation of French Canadians.

 Upper Canada financial debts.
 Win-win situation for English Canadians. Not so much for French Canadians.
JULY 1840: ADOPTION OF THE ACT OF UNION
The union of a number
of territories under the
authority of a single
government.

 New constitution proposed a legislative assembly uniting Upper and Lower Canada
into a single colony.
 Came into effect in February 1841.
THE ACT OF UNION (1840)

1791 1840
POLITICAL STRUCTURE AFTER THE ACT OF UNION
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

 What we have in Canada today.

 Responsible Government: A
government in which the members of
the Executive Council are chosen
from among the members of the
majority party in the Legislative
Assembly.
FRENCH CANADIAN MINORITY

 Lower Canada had some Anglophones in the Legislative Assembly, giving

Anglophones the majority.
 Combination of Anglophone majority in Legislative Assembly, the Governor, and the
Councils meant that English interests were prioritized.

 Two other ways the Act of Union put French Canadians at a disadvantage:
 Merging of debts
 English is the only official language of Province of Canada

 What’s left for French Canadians?

THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PROVINCE OF
CANADA
1841-1847
POLITICAL GROUPS IN 1841
Reformers Conservatives (Tories)
Composed of French Canadian and some Composed of English Canadian members
English Canadian members in Lower and 2 French Canadian members.
Canada.
English Canadian members in Upper • Supported by British business class
Canada. • Did not seek political change because
they had influence over institutions with
• Supported by the professional appointed members (Governor and
bourgeoisie (lawyers, doctors, notaries) Councils)
• Demanded the establishment of
responsible government
• Lower Canada Reformers wanted to
protects the rights of French Canadians
ALLIANCE OF REFORMERS

 Members of Legislative Assembly separated by ideology, but also language.

 French speaking Reformers did not speak or cooperate with English speaking
Reformers.
 Robert Baldwin & Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine form an alliance to reach a majority.
 French Canadian Reformers pledge to support economic agendas, in return they were
guaranteed that the French language & culture would be protected.
 Protectionism: favours the purchase of
ABOLITION OF BRITISH PROTECTIONISM resources from colonies. Higher
customs duties imposed on resources
from countries not in the British
Empire.

 British Parliament debating the UK’s economic policy regarding the North American
colonies.
 Protectionism had been practiced from the beginning of the 19th century.
 Preferential tariffs: a tariff that reduces customs duties on the goods of a trading
partner, for example, a colony.
 British people unhappy with high prices.
THE END OF PROTECTIONISM

 Policy ends in 1846 with the abolition of Britain’s Corn Laws.

 Colonies now forced to compete with foreign countries to sell resources & products.
 Unhappy Canadians.
 Ministerial responsibility: the
ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENTprinciple in which the Legislative
Assembly approves the choice of the
members for the Executive Council.

 Colonies encouraged to become more autonomous economically and politically.

 1848: The Baldwin-LaFontaine alliance wins the majority of seats in Legislative
Assembly
 Ministerial responsibility granted that same year. Baldwin & LaFontaine form the
first responsible government
FUNCTIONING OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

 Executive Council now chosen by Legislative Assembly members.

 Had to resign if lost support of majority of Legislative Assembly members

 Legislative Council still appointed by the Governor, but on recommendation from the
Executive Council.
 British government still holds power over external affairs (diplomacy, war, etc.)
 Political peace lasts about one year… then all hell breaks loose…
HELL BREAKING LOOSE
 French is now recognized as an official language again.
 In 1849: the Reform alliance passes several controversial laws, including:
1. A law granting amnesty to the Patriotes, meaning they were being pardoned and released from prison.
2. A law compensating victims of the rebellions. People who had suffered losses during the rebellions were given
sums of money.
 This triggered a violent reaction among English Canadians.
 Many still viewed the Patriotes as criminals and traitors.
 People wanted the Governor to veto these laws, but he decided to respect responsible government and
approved them.
 Parliament building burned down in retaliation.
FIRST NATIONS IN PROVINCE OF CANADA

 Bagot Commission (1842-1844)

 Report featured suggestions on how to proceed with indigenous Peoples.

 This included the creation of reserves.

THE CREATION OF RESERVES IN LOWER CANADA

 Only Indigenous Peoples allowed to live on reserves.

 Government’s aim was to promote a shift towards agricultural way of life for
Indigenous communities.
 Would allow for large territories to be freed up for colonization and development.
 Indigenous Peoples would not become dependent on the government’s help.
FINISH COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
CHAPTER 1 PART 1
DOCUMENT 6
DOCUMENT 10
POLITICAL GROUPS IN 1841 (DOCUMENT 8)
Reformers Conservatives (Tories)
Composed of French Canadian and some Composed of English Canadian members
English Canadian members in Lower and 2 French Canadian members.
Canada.
English Canadian members in Upper • Supported by British business class
Canada. • Did not seek political change because
they had influence over institutions with
• Supported by the professional appointed members (Governor and
bourgeoisie (lawyers, doctors, notaries) Councils)
• Demanded the establishment of
responsible government
• Lower Canada Reformers wanted to
protects the rights of French Canadians