Official Power & Countervailing Power

1. Official Power & Countervailing Power History of Quebec & Canada

2. THE CONQUEST - 1760 • 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

3. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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)

4. MAP ROYAL PROCLAMATION1760-1775

5. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 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

6. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 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.

7. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

8. MAP – THE QUEBEC ACT 1774

9. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 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

10. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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)

11. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 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.

12. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

13. MAP CONSTITUTIONAL ACT - 1791

14. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 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)

16. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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.

17. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

18. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

19. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

20. MAP ACT OF UNION - 1840

21. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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.

22. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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

23. THE BRITISH REGIME 1760 - 1867 • 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