In 1760, British forces take control of Montreal › Britain and France were fighting in Europe

(Seven Year’s War) and thus fighting broke out within the colonies.

The main reasons for the defeat were:› The extremely vast territory and low population

of New France› Britain’s stronger and larger military forces

(army and navy)› France’s inability to send reinforcements (too

expensive)› New France relied too much on the mother

country, while the 13 colonies were much more independent.

1760 -1763: Governed by

the occupying

army

In 1763, the Royal Proclamation, creates a system similar to that of New France:› A governor was appointed by the King, who would the select

members for an Executive council.

› British criminal and civil laws apply

› Encouraged trade to increase the wealth of the British empire.

› Had to fight off the French, the natives and the Thirteen Colonies

› Had to maintain internal order in a society composed of former enemies (the French)

Quebec under the Royal Proclamation - 1763 The Royal Proclamation was intended to assimilate

the French and favour the British:

› Roman Catholics were not allowed to hold public office and therefore could not participate in administration

› No new Roman Catholic Bishops could be appointed to serve the colony

› Protestant churches and schools were encouraged› Land was divided into townships for the occupation of British

and American colonists

Quebec under the Royal Proclamation - 1763 Though the system was set up in this way, not all of the new

policies were enforced (particularly by the first Governor James Murray):

› French laws were permitted

› Did not create an elected assembly because it would have favoured the English speaking merchants

› Selected people who were sympathetic to the French to be on his council.

Murray understood that the French greatly outnumbered the English (less than 1% of the population was English

speaking and Protestant.

In 1774, the Quebec Act was passed: French civil law was reinstated English criminal law was to remain in force Seigneurial rights and system restored The Tithe (church tax) could be collected again The Governor had an advisory council, 8

members had to be French Canadian No elected assembly was required

Most power was still in the hands of the governor

Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774 Colonists did have some new freedoms under British Rule:

Newspapers were authorized Petitions could be presented to the governor Had the right to form associations Criminals had the right to a lawyer and trial by jury

Of course, these freedoms could be suspended at any time by the state.

› Means of control was still intimidation and public punishments, as well as military presence was still common

Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774 The British State had some allies:

The Natives (became the military partners of the English and would fight during the American War of Independence)

The French Canadian (Canadien) Nobility (state was forced to ensure the loyalty of these powerful people – French civil law as well as the seigneurial system)

The Catholic Church (Quebec Act grants toleration of Catholicism, even though it was illegal in England/ in return bishops and priests preach loyalty to the British crown)

Quebec under the Quebec Act - 1774 British colonists were upset with the political

system in Quebec:› The Quebec Act was particularly frustrating for the English

because it tolerated Catholicism and allowed for French civil laws.

› Because of their low numbers, they joined forces with the Canadien population as well as the Loyalists, who were also unsatisfied with the political system.

› They demanded the right to elect a legislative assembly (so that they could exercise influence over state decisions)

Canadien bourgeoisie & Catholic church continued to oppose these changes.

In 1791 the Constitutional Act allowed for the creation of the legislative assembly.› This was done to appease the Loyalists and the Canadiens.› It was also beneficial for the colony because the assembly

could impose taxes

› Britain divided Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada French civil law and religion was maintained in Lower Canada Canadiens could now serve in administration

System of Government after the Constitutional Act Governor had ultimate power over both Upper and Lower

Canada The Governor appointed two Lieutenant Governors for Upper

and Lower Canada The Governor appointed an Executive Council to advise him

(in each of the Canadas) The Legislative Council could approve or reject laws passed

by the Assembly (in each of the Canadas) The Legislative Assembly was elected by the people, but

since they were not paid most members were professionals› To be able to vote, you had to be at least 21 years old, had to own

property and earn over 20 shillings a year (most families had 1 vote, and women could vote if they met these qualifications)

Though the new system allowed for more people to have influence over the state’s decisions, there were still problems with the new system in Lower Canada:› Positions in the assembly were not paid, so only the richest

members of society could run› Poorest populations had no say› Assembly was made up of mostly upper class, therefore the

decisions made were in the interests of these people rather than the general population.

› Governor, Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Council all had to approve a law for it to be passed.

The creation of an Assembly allows people to vote, but these decisions can still be overturned – not Responsible

Government.

The Parti-Canadien, later known as the Parti-Patriote, pushes for Responsible Government:

› In 1834, they drafted the 92 Resolutions and sent them to Britain (a list of their demands)

› Their demands were not met, so they used pressure tactics to force a change in the government: They dominated the Assembly at this time so they did not

support laws proposed by the opposing British Party, and refused to pass budgets and funding projects

This prevented the government from being able to function properly

They eventually began mass rallies and demonstrations to put further pressure on Britain

The Governments’ response was to go after the Patriote leaders:

In 1839, 12 Patriote leaders were publically hanged in Montreal and 130 were deported, but the protests did not stop

Lord Durham was sent from Britain to propose a solution to the problems

› He recommended Responsible Government, but Britain did not follow through.

› Instead, they decided to unite Upper and Lower Canada

In 1840, the Act of Union, combined the two Canadas in an attempt to suppress the rebellions:

Created Canada East and Canada West Made the Canadiens a minority again so that they

could not longer influence the government English became the official language Encouraged the assimilation of the French The Legislative Assembly still had no influence over

executive decisions

In 1846, Britain applies a free trade doctrine, allowing for the mother country and the colonies to contend directly with global economic competition (Britain would no longer solely depend on its colonies for raw materials)

In 1848, the colonies are granted Responsible Government.› The Government of United Canada became bilingual, and was

governed by representatives elected by the people.› The Governor reserved the right to nullify laws, but did not

usually intervene the decisions of the Assembly.

As the government is now run mainly by the bourgeoisie and entrepreneurs, the goals of the government changed to suit their needs.› Economic development within the colony became a

priority: Construction of canals to benefit merchants and traders Construction of railways New areas of colonization opened up Creation of the Canadian dollar Abolishment of the seigneurial system Export markets for wood and wheat Primary and Secondary education system to train workers Catholic Church takes over social welfare and education again

The idea of Confederation of Canada comes about in the 1860s.

Supporters included:› The Catholic Church (believed that their privileges would

be better protected in a Catholic Province rather than United Canada)

› Britain (colonies had become too expensive to maintain and felt that they needed to govern themselves)

Opponents were:› The Parti-Rouge (French feared that they would loose their

political power)

In 1867 the Dominion of Canada is created