Government in the ColoniesRepresentative vs. Responsible Governments

Legislative and Executive Councils• Appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor• Part of the elite• Chose those who were most loyal to Britain• In all colonies except lower Canada he chose males of

British heritage who were loyal to the Church of England. • Newfoundland: merchants who controlled the fishing

industry. • Other colonies: wealthy professional men or merchants. • Lower Canada: the French elite• Power of VETO

Legislative Assembly

• NOT always part of the elite, always wealthy or professionals.

• COULD suggest bills that would help all, but not effective usually…why?

• Approved bills such as taxes but they didn’t truly have much power since they could be dissolved if the government didn’t like their policies.

Who Could Vote in the 1830’s?

• You MUST meet the following requirements:

• Males over 21 • British citizens• Property qualifications (own land or pay rent

year round)

So, what happened?

•REBELLION!• Led by reformers: professional people and

merchants who had the education, money and time to get involved in the issues of the day.

Rebellion in Lower Canada

• 1837• Led by the Parti Patriote• Concerns: British immigration policies, land,

losing language (F.C.s)• Problems: Poor harvest—starvation, cholera

epidemic• Leader: Louis-Joseph Papineau

Rebellion in Upper Canada

• 1837• Concerns: unequal government spending (ex.

canals), land disputes

• Problems: poor harvest—starvation for the farmers and families

• Leader: William Lyon Mackenzie

Assignment—Individual or up to 4 people—no more and no exceptions• Use this link http://

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rebellions-of-1837/ to: • Create a report that includes the following: 1 Major

cause, 3 events for each rebellion and 1 outcome of the rebellions. This should be no longer than one page double spaced or two hand written. • Or• A skit that shows what the atmosphere was like in 1837-

1838 in either Upper or Lower Canada (you’ll be taking on characters of 1837-38).

• Or• A timeline for each of the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada.• Or• A story which describes a way in which lives were effected by the

rebellions 1837-1838. • Or• A diary entry which describes a way in which lives were effected by

the rebellions 1837-1838. • Or• A piece of artwork that shows an aspect of the rebellions of 1837-38