Background to the Rebellions

Remember that the government of Lower Canada was run by the Chateau Clique. They were English people who were given control over Lower Canada. The Chateau Clique would pass laws that favoured themselves; not the whole population. The French people living in Lower Canada felt that the British culture was threatening their way of life. So, the Parti Patriote was created to fight for the French people of Lower Canada.

The Parti Patriote was led by Louis-Joseph Papineau. He attempted to give the common French people of Lower Canada more control. Trying to make changes peacefully, he came up with 92 ideas for change. He presented his ideas to the government of Lower Canada, but, in March 1837, all 92 ideas were rejected and the Chateau Clique began arresting Patriote leaders.

This pushed Patriotes, such as Dr. Wolfed Nelson, to support the idea of a rebellion. Read Dr. Nelson's quote below. Why do you think violence was the Patriotes' next step?

The Patriotes began to organize rallies and prepare for a rebellion. British troops were sent into Lower Canada to stop the unrest.

On November 16, 1837, the Chateau Clique tried to arrest some of the leaders of the Parti Patriote. About 800 Patriotes replied with an armed uprising at Saint-Denis on November 23.

At Saint-Denis, armed Patriotes captured a seigneur's home. Led by Wolfred Nelson, they waited for British troops to arrive. The British troops walked into a crossfire trap. The British army under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Gore failed to recapture the home and the British army had to withdraw. The Patriotes claimed a victory.

Two days later, after the British army added 400 more soldiers, they marched on St. Charles where only 100 Patriotes waited for them. The British bombarded the Patriote stronghold with canons and charged at the remaining Patriotes.

The Patriotes were easily defeated during the battle of Saint-Charles. With most of the Patriote fighters dead, the British imprisoned the rest of the rebels around Saint-Charles and set fire to the surrounding farms.

Attack on St. Charles was painted by Charles Beauclerk in 1840. Beauclerk was a commanding officer in the British army during the battle at Saint-Charles. Analyze: How might Beauclerk’s role in the battle have influenced his depiction of the event?

The Patriotes tried to defend themselves in buildings in the community, but they were no match for the army. About 100 Patriots were killed, and many were taken prisoner. The armed rebellion in Lower Canada was over.

The victorious British army then looted and burned the houses of the rebels. Papineau and the other leaders of the rebellion fled to the United States. The remaining Patriote fighters who were unable to flee were either killed or taken prisoner by the British.

After a short fight in Saint-Eustache, the armed rebellion in Lower Canada was over. The victorious British army then looted and burned the houses of the rebels. Papineau and the other leaders of the rebellion fled to the United States. The remaining Patriote fighters who were unable to flee were either killed or taken prisoner by the British.

As a result of the rebellions, Britain maintained control of Lower Canada. 12 rebels from the Parti Patriot were hanged and 58 were sent to prison in Australia. Papineau and other leaders fled to the USA to avoid execution. Lord Durham was sent from Great Britain to investigate the causes of the rebellions and to make recommendations to prevent further conflict.

1. Do you think the Patriotes were right to rebell against the Chateau Clique? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence.

2. Do you think the British government benefited from the rebellions? Why, or why not?