Upper Canada

Causes

Lower Canada

Oligarchy (Family Compact) which tried to

recreate the social class system which
existed in Europe

Oligarchy (Chateau Clique) which tried to

recreate the social class system which existed
in Europe

Land Speculation, Absentee Landlords & the

Clergy who had the best land. Upper
Canada reformers were fed up with the
government and its land policies. The
Family Compact overpriced or tied up prime
land, while Crown and Clergy reserves
hindered development of roadways The
councils were made up of Family Compact
members who were not interested in
ordinary people's concerns. Settlers wanted
a land system that was fairer to the average
farmer. They also wanted the government to
spend money on roadways and schools. The
government would not listen to the settlers'
demands. (p. 53-54)

The French Canadians were afraid that the

government was trying to assimilate their
English culture, and faced economic and
political discrimination, unequal taxation,
and lack of power within the government.

Lack of representative & responsible

government (see p. 65 for definitions)
because run by the Oligarchy who had veto
power (p. 54-55)

Economic problems in lower Canada, crop

failures resulted in having to import wheat
from Upper Canada. This resulted in debt.
High taxes left people feeling angry that
these taxes were paid to government officials
who did not adequately represent their
needs. See p. 71
Lack of representative & responsible
government (see p. 65 for definitions)
because run by the Oligarchy who had veto
power.

Events

Robert Gourlay (a land agent) had drawn up

a list of these grievances and was arrested.
Mackenzie published articles that
openly criticized the government and the
Family Compact. The governor,
Sir Francis Bond Head, responded by
dissolving the Legislative Assembly. (p. 6667)
Moderate attempts for change had no effect,
so reformers felt they had no choice but to
use more radical means.
Mackenzie spent much time organizing
resistance to the government. He planned to
take over the arsenal in Toronto and capture
Governor Bond Head. Mackenzie did not
have much support from other radicals, but
still decided to march towards the arsenal.
Faced with opposition, the rebels, who had
little experience fighting, retreated. They
were defeated at the Battle of Montgomery's
Tavern.

Outcomes

The rebels and their leaders were not very

experienced in combat. The Rebellions were
not coordinated. In Upper Canada, many
radicals decided not to get involved in the
Rebellion of 1837-Mackenzie had less
support than he had anticipated.
Mackenzie and Papineau escaped to the US;
most of the other leaders were arrested.
These leaders were hanged or transported
to prison colonies. (p. 77)

When the British government denied the

rights of the Legislative Assembly, the
Patriotes (rebels,) led by Louis-Joseph
Papineau, rose against the government.
The Rebellion of 1837 began with the
attempted arrest of Papineau, who fled to
Montreal. There were a series of skirmishes at
St. Denis, St. Charles, and Ste. Eustache. The
British troops defeated the Patriote forces
quickly.
See p. 73
If the church had supported the Rebellions,
Lower Canada might have been successful.

The rebels and their leaders were not very

experienced in combat. The Rebellions were
not coordinated. In Lower Canada, the
Catholic Church convinced many people to
remain loyal to Britain.
Mackenzie and Papineau escaped to the US;
most of the other leaders were arrested.
These leaders were hanged or transported to
prison colonies. (p. 74 and 77)