Study Notes on Canadian History and Politics
Overview of Canada and British Rule
British Regime in Canada
Dominated by assimilation policies.
Act of Union in 1840 aimed to unify Upper and Lower Canada.
Key Historical Events and Terms
Union of Canada (1840)
Merged East Canada (Lower Canada) and West Canada (Upper Canada).
Initiated by Lord Durham, aiming for responsible governance.
Legislative Changes
Legislative Assembly Transformations
Post-union, a single assembly for all of Canada.
Increased representation of the English population proposed, necessitating new elections.
Emphasis on collaborative politics among deputies to address diverse priorities.
Growth of a new progressive political ethos.
Cultural Tensions and Recognition
Recognition of French Canadians
Acknowledgement of the symbolic role of French heritage.
Political representation increased for Francophones.
Contrast between Anglo and Francophone groups, fostering a push for recognition.
Emergence of calls for a new constitution to facilitate unity and representation.
Confederation of 1867
Significance of Confederation
Adoption of a new constitution.
Establishment of federal structures accommodating diverse regional needs.
Relevance of bilingual rights in governance and education.
Provinces and Political Dynamics
Main Provinces and Political Climate
Focus on key provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
Opposition movements rooted in MQ concern for English integration.
Leadership under George-Étienne Cartier, representing conservative interests in Quebec.
Cultural and Linguistic Rights
Droit Linguistique
Enshrined rights for French speakers as part of the constitutional framework.
Legislative measures to guarantee the use of French in official contexts.
Educational Structure
Protection of Religious Schools
Ongoing debates regarding the status of Catholic schools outside Quebec.
Cultural preservation efforts through language and education.
Economic Conditions and Migration
Economic Opportunities and Migration Patterns
Many Francophone Canadians relocated due to poor economic prospects.
Farmers migrated to urban areas in search of employment in industry.
Hard working conditions with low pay, long hours characterized new jobs.
Internal Migration Trends
Shift Towards the North and Other Regions
A movement towards Northern Quebec for agricultural opportunities.
Illustrations of seeking better livelihood, often at the expense of settled farms.
Attraction to areas like the Great Lakes due to natural resources and favorable conditions for agriculture.
Cultural Development and Trade
Cultural imprints and trade practices
The trade of various goods, highlighted by reference to hats during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Promotions of local products and the practices of many throughout this period.
Indigenous Relations
Metis Culture and Relations to Canada
John A. Macdonald's attempts to keep Manitoba within Canada, resisting U.S. annexation attempts.
Events surrounding the indigenous rebellion and response, specifically in Manitoba.
Rights and Linguistic Changes in Manitoba
Bilingual Rights
Events post-1869 and 1870 establishing French as a language of instruction alongside English.
Louis Riel seen as an advocate for Francophone and Catholic rights amid socio-political pressures.
Discussions surrounding property rights and Catholic educational opportunities within the shifting landscape.
Conclusion
Canadian Identity Evolution
The amalgamation of different cultures and rights has thus shaped contemporary Canadian society.
Ongoing reflection on the values of multiculturalism and regional rights in the context of a historically complex narrative.
Overview of Canada and British Rule
British Regime in Canada
Dominated by assimilation policies following the Rebellions of .
The Act of Union in aimed to unify Upper and Lower Canada into a single Province of Canada to marginalize French influence.
Lord Durham's Report recommended this union alongside the implementation of responsible government to ensure stability.
Key Historical Events and Terms
Union of Canada (1840)
Merged Canada East (formerly Lower Canada) and Canada West (formerly Upper Canada).
Though Durham recommended responsible government, it was not fully realized until under the Baldwin-Lafontaine ministry, which saw reformers from both regions collaborate.
Legislative Changes
Legislative Assembly Transformations
A single assembly was created where Canada East and Canada West had equal representation ( seats each), despite Canada East initially having a larger population.
This led to "Double Majority" requirements, often resulting in political deadlock.
Growth of a new progressive political ethos favoring infrastructure like canals and railways.
Cultural Tensions and Recognition
Recognition of French Canadians
Despite assimilation efforts, French Canadians maintained their language and legal system (Civil Law in the East).
Political representation remained a battleground, leading to the Great Coalition of aimed at breaking the deadlock through federalism.
Confederation of 1867
The British North America Act
Resulted from the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences () and the London Conference ().
Establishment of a federal system with power divided between the Federal government (Section ) and Provinces (Section ).
Significant for establishing Canada as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire on July , .
Provinces and Political Dynamics
Main Provinces and Political Climate
Initial members: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister, advocating for a strong central government and the "National Policy" involving high tariffs to protect Canadian industry.
George-Étienne Cartier was instrumental in ensuring Quebec's provincial autonomy over education and civil law.
Cultural and Linguistic Rights
Droit Linguistique
Section of the BNA Act protected the use of English and French in the Federal Parliament and the Quebec Legislature, as well as in federal and Quebec courts.
Educational Structure
Protection of Religious Schools
Section guaranteed the rights of denominational schools (Catholic and Protestant) that existed at the time of union.
This became a point of contention during the Manitoba Schools Question in , where French Catholic school rights were abolished by provincial legislation, leading to a long-standing national crisis.
Economic Conditions and Migration
Industrialization and the Great Migration
The late century saw the "Grande Hémorragie," where over French Canadians migrated to New England for textile mill jobs.
Rapid urbanization in Montreal and Toronto created a new working class facing hazardous conditions and long hours.
Internal Migration Trends
Shift Towards the North and the West
The "Curé Labelle" promoted colonization of the Laurentians and Northern Quebec to prevent migration to the United States.
The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in facilitated movement toward the Great Lakes and the Western Prairies.
Indigenous Relations
Metis Resistance and the Red River Rebellion
In , the purchase of Rupert's Land by Canada without consulting the Metis led to a provisional government led by Louis Riel.
This resulted in the Manitoba Act of , creating the province of Manitoba.
Rights and Evolution in the West
The North-West Resistance (1885)
Tensions over land titles and the disappearance of the bison led to a second armed conflict in Saskatchewan.
The defeat of the Metis at Batoche led to the trial and execution of Louis Riel for high treason, a decision that deeply divided English and French Canada.
Conclusion
Canadian Identity Evolution
The tension between federal and provincial powers remains a defining feature of the Canadian state.
The duality of French and English rights, alongside the ongoing struggle for Indigenous sovereignty, continues to shape the contemporary narrative of multiculturalism and regional rights.