How did the response to demands for more democratic government in British North America shape Canada?

rebellion - a challenge to authority of a recognized government

royal commission - an official investigation established by the government (the crown)

assimilate - to become part of a different cultural group

coalition - an alliance among different groups

amnesty - a pardon

self-government - government that does not answer to an imperial power

oppression - unjust or unfair use of power

conquest - the British takeover of New France in 1763, under which New France became the British colony of Québec

In response to the rebellion of the people in Upper and Lower Canada, Britain:

• created a royal commission to study the problem

Lord John George Lambton, (First Earl of Durham) made these recommendations:

1. Union of Lower and Upper Canada

   • force Lower Canada to follow English ruling

2. More Democratic Government

   • Reduce the role of Britain in the affairs of the colony

3. Assimilation of the Canadiens

   • Educate the Canadien and other "inferior"1 cultures in the ways of the English

Based on those recommendations, Britain passed The Act of Union in 1841.  

• Combined Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada

• Created a legislative body the governor appointed

• Created an assembly of equal representation of Canada East and Canada West

  • Canada East had more people

• English became the official language of the government. 

• Pressure to change

• Possibly relocate because 

  • British settlers moved onto their land

  • Their seasons were affected

• Took up farming to survive 

  • By forming a permanent settlement

Resources

Our Canada:  Origins, Peoples, Perspectives, page 223

2.  Map of British North America 1841, Out Canada:  Origins, Peoples, Perspectives, page 225

Next Section:  7.5 Perspective on The Act of Union