In what ways were the Rebellions in the Canadas similar to those in the Atlantic region? To what extent and in what ways might the 1830s be seen as an age of revolution in British North America?
The rebellions in the Canadas were similar to the ones in the Atlantic region for several reasons. One of the reasons was the issue of land ownership. In Upper Canada it was an issue about if American immigrants actually owned the land that they were living on. This caused tensions between the two groups. In Lower Canada the American immigrants were not used to the seigniorial system causing tension. As well, Lower Canada was beginning to run out of new land challenging the existing system. In the Maritimes land issues revolved around giving falling rights for timber. On PEI the issues with land was one of absentee landlords.
The biggest issues behind the rebellions was the idea of instituting responsible government, that is an executive that was accountable to an elected assembly. Despite the existence of an elected assembly in the Canadas thanks to the Durham Report, the executive of the government did not match the political makeup of the assembly. In Lower Canada after the Act of Union was passed Papineau radicalized his political party. After the arrival of a new governor Papineau pushed for responsible government with his 92 resolutions. In Maritime colonies like Newfoundland there had never been a responsible government due to the seasonal population of the colony. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia wanted reforms due to controversy over how logging rights to land had been passed out. However seeing the issues that were taking place in the Canadas, the colonial office was quick to grant reforms to the Maritime colonies fearing more revolts.
The 1830s can be seen as an age of revolution as many of the colonies began to make real, and in some cases violent pushes for change. The colonies wanted more ability to make their own laws and to govern themselves not having to rely on appointed officials that were not accountable to the people in the colonies. This was a time of major reform in the colonies.
The rebellions in the Canadas and those in the Atlantic region where both centered are politics and change. In particular, political change that would make the appointed members of government more responsible to the voters and the elected assembly. The rebellions were for a responsible government that would more accurately represent and govern for the people of the colony and not for their own personal gain and profit. The 1830s could be seen as an age of revolution for the British North America because the rebellions inspired and helped to assist in the change of the way in which the government ruled. The rebellions can be seen, to a smaller a extent what could have been the beginning of a revolution if the people wanted multiple changes and more radical changes. Because they were only looking for a few changes to happen and the biggest being a more responsible government. They did get what they wanted later on but because the changes occurred gradually after the rebellions occur, a couple of years later in some places. Overall, I would say that the rebellions and the 1830s were more of a small period in which changes would occur that the people believer were better for the development of the colony. The 1830s in British North America was an age of revolution but one that was completely based on political reasons changed the way the government in the colony acted so that they would be more responsible.
Connor, can you be more specific? Yes, the issues were political in both the Canadas and the Atlantic region, but what were the specific things that were being contested?
Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada had similar motives to the Atlantic region with the problem of land ownership and the effect and dissatisfaction of British rule. Within the Atlantic region, the elites had been elected, but were not ruling with the public in mind. The timber trade had increased sales, especially in New Brunswick, but the fisheries had declined, significantly in Newfoundland. Another way these rebellions were similar is that both areas wanted responsible government. This would come to be in the 1830s when elected assemblies and councils giving equal rights to all citizens of Canada for it to become more independent from British rule. BNA was in the age of revolution within the 1830s, but not for the main reasons citizens wanted, but for more political reasons which happened to pertain to some of the issues citizens were fighting with the government.
There are a couple of similarities between the rebellions in the Canadas and the Atlantic region. First of all, there is the topic of the ownership of land. In both Upper and Lower Canada, there was tension regarding who actually owned the land. In Upper Canada, people were concerned about if the Americans actually owned the land if they lived and worked on it everyday. In Newfoundland, there was the issue of the right to cut down trees for limber whenever and wherever they wish, while in Prince Edward Island, they had issues around people who owned land but lived elsewhere year around. My second similarity is that of implementing the ideas of a responsible government and which part should be elected or if all of it should be elected rather than appointed. In Upper Canada, they looked at the spectrum of reformers in politics – the moderate and radical reformers. In Lower Canada, they looked at how the Patriote-controlled Assembly passes the 92 Resolutions, which demands a fully elected government. In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, responsible government was wanted because they wanted changes in the logging rights to the forested lands.
The similarities between the rebellions in Canada and the Atlantic region mostly deal with land ownership. Citizens in Upper Canada were concerned if the land they worked and lived on was actually owned by Americans and in Lower Canada, good, fertile land was not as abundant and the new American immigrants were not used to certain systems in Canada. As well, issues ranged from absentee landlords in PEI to disputes about logging rights in Newfoundland. The rebellions helped spark an age of revolution in British North America by demanding change and by actually ushering in that change. The new colonies under British North America wanted more independence and the ability to make their own laws. The rebellions made way for a more responsible government in young Canada.
The Rebellions of the Canada’s and the Atlantic were a based upon the Republican ideology that revolved around responsible government policy and the overthrow of the appointed Aristocracy.The age of Enlightenment had begun in the late18th century, its foundation was built upon the idea of equality for all men and equal justice for all under the law. The Euro-Canadian Aristocracy were firmly in control of British North America, they resisted any attempts for an representative order to replace their ebbed ideological benefits of land ownership and political control. The influx of permanent settlers into the Canada’s and the Atlantic region sparked the reformation movement towards individual landownership and the shared benefits of same. Most commoners were tenant farmers beholden to absentee landlords who took little interest in representing their interests in government. The irresponsible management and excessive extraction of resources such as the cod fishery and timber industries were the catalyst for impending change throughout the Atlantic region. The British Government along with its Euro-Canadian appointed Governors decided to avoid the inevitable conflict and the likelihood American style revolt by promoting land ownership reforms.
The rebellions in the Canadas and the Atlantic regions were similar in that they were focused around land and economic tensions. In Upper Canada, it was an issue that the Family Compact was giving away land to only their friends which was seen as unfair in the eyes of all other citizens. In Lower Canada, the seigneurial system remained in place and the Americans used the system to free hold land. In New Brunswick, there was the issue that the commissioner of crown land was ready to give out timber land to his friends and the government and in PEI, when the lands were confiscated from its proprietors , there was uncertainty with whom actually owned the land. Another similarity is the implementation of responsible government. In Upper canada, responsible government was not agreed upon because the Family compact believed the government was responsible enough. In Lower Canada, the idea of responsible government was brought forth by Papineau whom strived for its implementation. In the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, a responsible government was no argument, it was wanted. The 1830s can be seen as the age of revolution in British North America because it was when the people really started to fight for themselves and were no longer sacred of being accused of treason. Change was wanted amongst the citizens so they tried hard to make it happen.
The rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada and the Atlantic region tended to share similar issues in both land and political reform. This often expressed itself in dissent, although the intensity of the resent in Upper and Lower Canada was arguably greater than that of the Atlantic Colonies.
Both Canadas and the Atlantic colonies had land issues that were brought up in the rebellions. They did boil down to unfair division of land. However, for Upper Canada, the land issues were a result of unfair division of land by the Family Compact. For Lower Canada, it was the seigneurial system and the Chateau Clique who unfairly divided the land. New Brunswick had a similar issue to Upper and Lower Canada, but for PEI, it was the debate over absentee landowners. Still these
Another major similarity is the lack of representative government. Upper and Lower Canada shared remarkably similar issues in representative government as they generally had quite a parallel structure, with both Legislative Assemblies deadlocked due to the appointed assembly. It seems that in the Atlantic colonies though, only Nova Scotia paralleled Upper and Lower Canada in this representation issue.
Given the widespread unrest and the changes that followed after the rebellions, it can be argued that the rebellions in the 1830s were revolutions. Even if the rebellions themselves were not successful, the widespread dissent and the changes that followed in light of the rebellion can be argued as evidence of a political revolution.
General Comments on this week’s question:
Most of you did quite well on this, which is great. You will be asked to synthesize and analyze in just this kind of way on the December exam.
The Rebellions in the Canadas and the political dissent in the Atlantic colonies shared much in common. In both regions discontent centred on the system of landholding and the power of a colonial oligarchy. As well, reformers in both regions saw responsible government as the solution; i.e. a restructuring of government so the appointed part of government was either eliminated or made accountable to the elected part of government. In short, reformers of both moderate and radical persuasions wanted more democracy.
The other similarity that dissent in the Canadas and the Atlantic colonies shared was the central role newspapers and journalists played in giving voice to dissent (Pierre Bedard, William Lyon Mackenzie, Joseph Howe were all newspapermen).
Vincent Yam, 
slali, and 6 others are discussing.
maxgardiner 6:51 pm on October 24, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The rebellions in the Canadas were similar to the ones in the Atlantic region for several reasons. One of the reasons was the issue of land ownership. In Upper Canada it was an issue about if American immigrants actually owned the land that they were living on. This caused tensions between the two groups. In Lower Canada the American immigrants were not used to the seigniorial system causing tension. As well, Lower Canada was beginning to run out of new land challenging the existing system. In the Maritimes land issues revolved around giving falling rights for timber. On PEI the issues with land was one of absentee landlords.
The biggest issues behind the rebellions was the idea of instituting responsible government, that is an executive that was accountable to an elected assembly. Despite the existence of an elected assembly in the Canadas thanks to the Durham Report, the executive of the government did not match the political makeup of the assembly. In Lower Canada after the Act of Union was passed Papineau radicalized his political party. After the arrival of a new governor Papineau pushed for responsible government with his 92 resolutions. In Maritime colonies like Newfoundland there had never been a responsible government due to the seasonal population of the colony. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia wanted reforms due to controversy over how logging rights to land had been passed out. However seeing the issues that were taking place in the Canadas, the colonial office was quick to grant reforms to the Maritime colonies fearing more revolts.
The 1830s can be seen as an age of revolution as many of the colonies began to make real, and in some cases violent pushes for change. The colonies wanted more ability to make their own laws and to govern themselves not having to rely on appointed officials that were not accountable to the people in the colonies. This was a time of major reform in the colonies.
Tina Loo 2:04 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Great answer Max!
Connor Munro 2:59 pm on October 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The rebellions in the Canadas and those in the Atlantic region where both centered are politics and change. In particular, political change that would make the appointed members of government more responsible to the voters and the elected assembly. The rebellions were for a responsible government that would more accurately represent and govern for the people of the colony and not for their own personal gain and profit. The 1830s could be seen as an age of revolution for the British North America because the rebellions inspired and helped to assist in the change of the way in which the government ruled. The rebellions can be seen, to a smaller a extent what could have been the beginning of a revolution if the people wanted multiple changes and more radical changes. Because they were only looking for a few changes to happen and the biggest being a more responsible government. They did get what they wanted later on but because the changes occurred gradually after the rebellions occur, a couple of years later in some places. Overall, I would say that the rebellions and the 1830s were more of a small period in which changes would occur that the people believer were better for the development of the colony. The 1830s in British North America was an age of revolution but one that was completely based on political reasons changed the way the government in the colony acted so that they would be more responsible.
Tina Loo 2:05 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Connor, can you be more specific? Yes, the issues were political in both the Canadas and the Atlantic region, but what were the specific things that were being contested?
eself 3:03 pm on October 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada had similar motives to the Atlantic region with the problem of land ownership and the effect and dissatisfaction of British rule. Within the Atlantic region, the elites had been elected, but were not ruling with the public in mind. The timber trade had increased sales, especially in New Brunswick, but the fisheries had declined, significantly in Newfoundland. Another way these rebellions were similar is that both areas wanted responsible government. This would come to be in the 1830s when elected assemblies and councils giving equal rights to all citizens of Canada for it to become more independent from British rule. BNA was in the age of revolution within the 1830s, but not for the main reasons citizens wanted, but for more political reasons which happened to pertain to some of the issues citizens were fighting with the government.
Tina Loo 2:06 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Great!
Tamara Ling 3:37 pm on October 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
There are a couple of similarities between the rebellions in the Canadas and the Atlantic region. First of all, there is the topic of the ownership of land. In both Upper and Lower Canada, there was tension regarding who actually owned the land. In Upper Canada, people were concerned about if the Americans actually owned the land if they lived and worked on it everyday. In Newfoundland, there was the issue of the right to cut down trees for limber whenever and wherever they wish, while in Prince Edward Island, they had issues around people who owned land but lived elsewhere year around. My second similarity is that of implementing the ideas of a responsible government and which part should be elected or if all of it should be elected rather than appointed. In Upper Canada, they looked at the spectrum of reformers in politics – the moderate and radical reformers. In Lower Canada, they looked at how the Patriote-controlled Assembly passes the 92 Resolutions, which demands a fully elected government. In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, responsible government was wanted because they wanted changes in the logging rights to the forested lands.
Tina Loo 2:07 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Yep! There are a few more things you could add (see below) but this is a good answer.
jamesrm 4:51 pm on October 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The similarities between the rebellions in Canada and the Atlantic region mostly deal with land ownership. Citizens in Upper Canada were concerned if the land they worked and lived on was actually owned by Americans and in Lower Canada, good, fertile land was not as abundant and the new American immigrants were not used to certain systems in Canada. As well, issues ranged from absentee landlords in PEI to disputes about logging rights in Newfoundland. The rebellions helped spark an age of revolution in British North America by demanding change and by actually ushering in that change. The new colonies under British North America wanted more independence and the ability to make their own laws. The rebellions made way for a more responsible government in young Canada.
Tina Loo 2:08 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Yes, land was certainly the key, as was responsible government and a few other things (see below).
richardj 2:16 pm on October 26, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The Rebellions of the Canada’s and the Atlantic were a based upon the Republican ideology that revolved around responsible government policy and the overthrow of the appointed Aristocracy.The age of Enlightenment had begun in the late18th century, its foundation was built upon the idea of equality for all men and equal justice for all under the law. The Euro-Canadian Aristocracy were firmly in control of British North America, they resisted any attempts for an representative order to replace their ebbed ideological benefits of land ownership and political control. The influx of permanent settlers into the Canada’s and the Atlantic region sparked the reformation movement towards individual landownership and the shared benefits of same. Most commoners were tenant farmers beholden to absentee landlords who took little interest in representing their interests in government. The irresponsible management and excessive extraction of resources such as the cod fishery and timber industries were the catalyst for impending change throughout the Atlantic region. The British Government along with its Euro-Canadian appointed Governors decided to avoid the inevitable conflict and the likelihood American style revolt by promoting land ownership reforms.
Tina Loo 2:08 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Good job!
slali 9:42 am on October 28, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The rebellions in the Canadas and the Atlantic regions were similar in that they were focused around land and economic tensions. In Upper Canada, it was an issue that the Family Compact was giving away land to only their friends which was seen as unfair in the eyes of all other citizens. In Lower Canada, the seigneurial system remained in place and the Americans used the system to free hold land. In New Brunswick, there was the issue that the commissioner of crown land was ready to give out timber land to his friends and the government and in PEI, when the lands were confiscated from its proprietors , there was uncertainty with whom actually owned the land. Another similarity is the implementation of responsible government. In Upper canada, responsible government was not agreed upon because the Family compact believed the government was responsible enough. In Lower Canada, the idea of responsible government was brought forth by Papineau whom strived for its implementation. In the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, a responsible government was no argument, it was wanted. The 1830s can be seen as the age of revolution in British North America because it was when the people really started to fight for themselves and were no longer sacred of being accused of treason. Change was wanted amongst the citizens so they tried hard to make it happen.
Tina Loo 2:09 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Good answer – see below for a few other points that you can think about.
Vincent Yam 8:27 pm on October 30, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada and the Atlantic region tended to share similar issues in both land and political reform. This often expressed itself in dissent, although the intensity of the resent in Upper and Lower Canada was arguably greater than that of the Atlantic Colonies.
Both Canadas and the Atlantic colonies had land issues that were brought up in the rebellions. They did boil down to unfair division of land. However, for Upper Canada, the land issues were a result of unfair division of land by the Family Compact. For Lower Canada, it was the seigneurial system and the Chateau Clique who unfairly divided the land. New Brunswick had a similar issue to Upper and Lower Canada, but for PEI, it was the debate over absentee landowners. Still these
Another major similarity is the lack of representative government. Upper and Lower Canada shared remarkably similar issues in representative government as they generally had quite a parallel structure, with both Legislative Assemblies deadlocked due to the appointed assembly. It seems that in the Atlantic colonies though, only Nova Scotia paralleled Upper and Lower Canada in this representation issue.
Given the widespread unrest and the changes that followed after the rebellions, it can be argued that the rebellions in the 1830s were revolutions. Even if the rebellions themselves were not successful, the widespread dissent and the changes that followed in light of the rebellion can be argued as evidence of a political revolution.
Tina Loo 2:10 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Good job Vincent, but can you be a bit more specific as to what reformers in both regions wanted?
Tina Loo 2:16 pm on November 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
General Comments on this week’s question:
Most of you did quite well on this, which is great. You will be asked to synthesize and analyze in just this kind of way on the December exam.
The Rebellions in the Canadas and the political dissent in the Atlantic colonies shared much in common. In both regions discontent centred on the system of landholding and the power of a colonial oligarchy. As well, reformers in both regions saw responsible government as the solution; i.e. a restructuring of government so the appointed part of government was either eliminated or made accountable to the elected part of government. In short, reformers of both moderate and radical persuasions wanted more democracy.
The other similarity that dissent in the Canadas and the Atlantic colonies shared was the central role newspapers and journalists played in giving voice to dissent (Pierre Bedard, William Lyon Mackenzie, Joseph Howe were all newspapermen).