Rebellions of 1837

The first of the two rebellions took place in Quebec in Lower Canada over control of provincial revenues. Led by Papineau, it had wanted to dissolve unsatisfactory imperial ties with Britain. It was crushed by British government troops. The second rebellion of 1837 took place in Ontario in Upper Canada, but this time opposition was shown towards the Family Compact and the Church of England’s preferred position. Mackenzie led a group of armed radicals on Toronto to seize the government, but were held back. Mackenzie and Papineau fled to the U.S.A.

Reciprocity Treaty (1854)

This Treaty implemented a bilateral reduction of tariffs between the British colonies and the U.S.A. This was an important step in the growth of Canadian political autonomy. However, the U.S. dissolved the Treaty in 1866.

Red River Rebellion (1869-1870)

The métis felt that the Canadian Government had failed to recognize their problems after taking control of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The government was being held responsible for the destruction of the buffalo on the land being settled by immigrants. Buffalo hunting was one of their main sources of livelihood. In addition, the government interfered with their land rights. The government’s square survey system brought into doubt the land titles of the metis whose boundaries were based on river-front lots. Led by Louis Riel, the métis seized Fort Garry inviting both English and French inhabitants to discuss a List of Rights. As a result of the protests and negotiations, the Canadian government granted the métis 1,400,000 acres and bilingual rights.

Remembrance Day see In Flanders Fields.

Responsible Government

This British parliamentary practice was developed by Robert Baldwin for Canada. The governing ministry would made up of elected representatives of the people. It took years to comprehend and it wasn’t until the Baldwin-Lafontaine ministry and the Uniacke ministry in Nova Scotia in 1848 that it came into operation.

Louis Riel (1844-1885)

He led the métis during the Red River Rebellion and North-West Rebellion who were dissatisfied with the government’s treatment towards them. Prior to this, In 1873, he was elected to the House of Commons in Ottawa and re-elected in 1874. Shortly after, a motion was introduced by Mackenzie Bowell demanding his expulsion from the House. He was finally granted amnesty in 1875 on condition of a further five years’ exile. Having suffered a nervous breakdown, he stayed in an asylum in Quebec. In 1878, he left for the U.S. to become a school teacher. Responding to the pleas of the métis of Saskatchewan in 1884, he returned to become involved in the second revolution. He provoked not only the government, but also some of the people of Canada and was eventually charged with treason and hanged.

Sir John Beverley Robinson (1791-1863)

This prominent member of the Family Compact became Attorney-General in 1818 and Chief Justice in 1829. He classified American settlers as aliens and deprived them of their political and property rights. This was one way he felt he could protect the elite status of the Family Compact..

Marie-Henriette Ross (1762-1860)

Usually called "Granny Ross" has become part of Nova Scotia folklore. Marie-Henriette was a midwife and healer for French and English settlers on Cape Breton Island. Even when blind and elderly, her services as a healer were much in demand.

Rouges

This reform party of Canada East emerged in the late 1840s. The party grew to be major opposition to the conservative bloc seeking universal education for all and a democratic suffrage. They opposed Confederation but cooperated with the Liberal Party.

Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (1803-1882)

He was a Methodist minister and editor of the popular Christian Guardian. He was always attacking the privileges of the Anglican church and pushing for the sale of the Clergy Reserves handing the proceeds over to support compulsory school systems. He opposed Responsible Government supporting Sir Charles Metcalfe. In 1844 he was appointed chief superintendent of education in Canada West establishing the education system of Ontario.