Act of union

Flashcards testing knowledge on the Durham Report, the Act of Union (1840), political structures, and administrative provisions in the Province of Canada.

What two main causes of unrest in Lower Canada did Lord Durham identify in his 1839 report?

Ethnic conflict between Canadiens and the British, and the absence of a truly democratic government.

What were the main recommendations presented in the Durham Report?

The assimilation of Canadiens through increased British immigration, the unification of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, and the creation of a responsible government.

How did London respond to the recommendations in Lord Durham's report?

London rejected responsible government, but agreed to the unification of the two Canadas.

Who was Charles Edward Poulett Thomson?

The first governor of the Province of Canada, sent by London to replace Lord Durham and implement the union of Upper Canada and Lower Canada.

When did Queen Victoria give royal assent to the Act of Union?

July 1840.

What official names were assigned to Upper Canada and Lower Canada following the Act of Union?

Upper Canada became Canada West and Lower Canada became Canada East.

Why was Kingston chosen as the initial capital of the Province of Canada, and why was it later moved to Montréal in 1844?

Kingston was chosen for its strategic location halfway between Montréal and Toronto, but due to concerns about its close proximity to the United States in the event of war, the administrative capital was moved to Montréal in 1844.

How is a legislative union defined?

The unification of one or more regions to form a single territory, administered by a single government and represented by a single legislature.

How is a federal union defined?

A form of compact between two or more regions where each maintains its own territory, government, and legislature, delegating certain powers to a central or federal government.

How did the principle of equal representation in the Legislative Assembly affect Lower Canada?

It gave Upper Canada and Lower Canada 42 members each, giving English Canadians a majority even though Lower Canada had a larger population (650 000) than Upper Canada (450 000).

What were the financial consequences of amalgamating the public debts of Upper Canada and Lower Canada?

Lower Canada, which had a debt of less than half a million dollars, inherited part of Upper Canada's huge debt of nearly $6 million incurred from building canals and roads.

What did Article 41 of the Act of Union declare regarding language?

It made English the only language of official government use in the Province of Canada, leaving French tolerated only for translation without legal value.

Which French-Canadian member protested Article 41 by giving his first speech in French to the Legislative Assembly in 1842?

Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine.

What was the only consolation granted to French Canadians under the Act of Union?

French civil laws were upheld in Lower Canada.

What non-legislative powers did the governor general retain under the Act of Union?

The right of veto, the power to reject bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, and the power to authorize unforeseen expenses without Assembly approval.

What powers did the British Parliament reserve over the Province of Canada after the Act of Union?

The right to reject a law up to two years after its adoption, and sole authority to legislate in matters of foreign trade.