Stirrings in lower canada,rebellion in lower canada, rebellion in upper canad
the rebellions of 1837
“The time has come to melt our plates and spoons to make bullets.”
- - Wolfred Nelson Speaking to the Patriotes, 1837
Stirrings and rebellions in lower canada:
The French in Lower Canada were the dominant population. They had not completely adjusted to the British conquest, and they found British rule challenging to accept. Because of this, things, such as the seigneurial system, started to change slowly. Even if there were only 80 000 of them in a 420 000 population, the English speaking people obtained most of the advantages. This, of course, resulted in the French-Canadians feeling discriminated and that Great Britain had plans to attempt to rid of Lower Canada’s “French problem”. They felt this way because more and more English-speaking people immigrated to the colonies. Ships loaded with cholera-stricken Irish immigrants began landing in Quebec, resulting in an outbreak and numerous deaths. The French thought that the British planned this outbreak, the French slowly dying due to disease. Another factor which added tension between the French and British was the government, who attempted to raise land tax while leaving business revenues untouched. This resulted in angry French farmers.
Naturally, reform was desired and made into focus due to discrimination against the French, unequal taxation, and lack of power within the government. Because of this, leaders, who wanted reform, were created.
Naturally, reform was desired and made into focus due to discrimination against the French, unequal taxation, and lack of power within the government. Because of this, leaders, who wanted reform, were created.
Louis-joseph papineau:
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A hero in Quebec up to this day, Louis-Joseph Papineau was a powerful public speaker. Earning the respect of both English and French, Papineau was a speaker of the Assembly in Lower Canada, as well as a seigneur, lawyer, and a French-Canadian nationalist. Because of him and his guidance and direction, the Assembly changed the way the governor could use tax money. In the 1830s, Papineau became a principal leader of the Patriotes and of the rebellion.
In 1810, anti-French James Craig was appointed as governor, arresting those who criticized the government. He brought in soldiers to intimidate the French population. A reformist newspaper called The Canadien was closed because of Craig. In 1822, a proposal to united Upper Canada and Lower Canada was made. This, however, increased the anger in the French people. Tension escalated greatly and protests were being made. In 1832, British soldiers shot protesters in Montreal.
The Patriotes controlled the Assembly, however, they could not exhibit real authority. Because of this, Papineau and other reformers wrote up “Ninety-two Resolutions”, a long list of grievances and demands, sending it directly to the government in London. It demanded complete change in the way the colony was governed. After three years of consideration, Britain’s leaders rejected the Ninety-two Resolutions. Lord John Russell, who was in charge of the Colonial Office in Britain, replied with Ten Resolutions, denying the rights of the Assembly. Led by Papineau, the Patriotes rebelled against the government.
Rebellion in lower canada:
On November 16, 1837, the government attempted to arrest the leaders of the Patriotes. The leaders then fled to the countryside and the rebellion began. Fighting between the English and French groups began in the streets. To bring down the uprising, British troops were sent. Fifty-eight Patriotes were killed. The revolts were not well-coordinated and in December of 1837, most rebel leaders and supporters were arrested. Papineau escaped to the United States and the rebellion in Lower Canada ended quickly. However, anger against the British still exists and remains a factor in Quebec politics.