CHAPTER 4
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1760 1867
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Following the Conquest, the British were faced
with a real dilemma in Quebec; how to
govern a colony in which most people were
French-speaking, Catholic and used to
institutions far different from those in other
British colonies
 Britain decided upon assimilation
 They felt that English-Protestant-Capitalist
would be the eventual dominant culture in
North America
The Royal
Proclamation 1763
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Reasons for Passing the Royal Proclamation
 Following the Conquest of New France, the
British passed the Royal Proclamation in 1763
 The British were faced with governing a
French-speaking colony within British North
America
Pontiac’s Uprising
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Following the fall of Quebec
and the Treaty of Paris,
jurisdiction over the West and
the Ohio Valley passed to the
British.
This change of allegiance
alarmed Aboriginal tribes.
Native tribes had previously
enjoyed a level of equality and
harmony with the French,
shown by the high numbers of
intermarriage.
By contrast, Native tribes had
learned to mistrust the English
and feared increased intrusion
into lands the French had left
for them.
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In response to this tension, a Native uprising led
by Ottawa chieftain Pontiac began in early 1763.
Although successful in capturing 8 British forts
and inflicting massive casualties, Pontiac’s forces
could not take the strongholds of Detroit and Fort
Pitt.
Pontiac’s Rebellion would last until 1766.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
The Intent of the Royal Proclamation
 Assimilation of the French population to
British culture
 Following Pontiac’s uprising, the land west of
the Appalachians was reserved for the
Aboriginal people in hope of avoiding a costly
Indian war
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Terms of the Royal Proclamation
 land west of the Appalachian Mountains was
reserved for the Aboriginal people
 Quebec was reduced in size
 British-style government was imposed on the
Canadiens with an elected assembly
 the British legal system was imposed

Protestantism replaced Catholicism
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Historical Significance of the Royal
Proclamation
 It showed the Canadiens that the British
government could not be trusted to protect
French culture
 It created resentment among the Thirteen
Colonies because it disallowed westward
expansion into the Ohio River valley. This
Act would fuel anti-British sentiment
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Reasons for Passing the Quebec Act 1774
 Reaction to unrest in the Thirteen Colonies
The Quebec Act 1774
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
The Intent of the Quebec Act
 With growing unrest in the Thirteen
Colonies, the British intended to mend
relations with the Canadiens
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Terms of the Quebec Act
 Reversal of the Royal Proclamation
 Quebec was enlarged
 British-style government was imposed on
the Canadiens with an elected assembly
 French Civil Law replaced the British legal
system
 Freedom of worship for Catholics
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Historical Significance of the Quebec Act
 The Act allowed the Canadiens to retain
their French culture
 It protected French-Catholic identity within
British North America
The Constitutional
Act 1791
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
The Intent of the Constitutional Act
 Protect BNA against potential American
aggression
 To provide familiar British-style rule for
the newly arrived Loyalists
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Terms of the Constitutional Act
 Divide the colony of Quebec into two
sections based on ethnic lines – Upper
Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada
(Quebec)
 Each colony would be governed by an
appointed Governor and Executive
Council, and an elected Legislative
Assembly
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Terms of the Constitutional Act
 Reserved land (Crown reserves) was used
to pay for the colony’s expenses
 British landholding and legal systems were
implemented in Upper Canada
 Preservation of French-Catholic rights is
Lower Canada
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA,
1760 - 1867
Historical Significance of the Constitutional
Act
 Confirmed the existence of a FrenchCatholic province in Confederation
 Provide the framework for Confederation
Match the provision with the Act
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When you see a provision or statement
put up on the screen, tell me which Act it
is from;
The Royal Proclamation
The Quebec Act
The Constitutional Act
Enlarged the size of Quebec
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The Quebec Act!
Set aside all lands west of the
Great Lakes for Aboriginal tribes
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The Royal Proclamation
1774
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The Quebec Act
Divide the colony of Quebec into two sections
based on ethnic lines – Upper Canada (Ontario)
and Lower Canada (Quebec)
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The Constitutional Act
Freedom of worship for Catholics
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The Quebec Act
1763
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The Royal Proclamation
Triggered in part by Pontiac’s
Uprising

The Royal Proclamation
Each colony would be governed by an
appointed Governor and Executive Council,
and an elected Legislative Assembly
 The Constitutional Act
It created resentment among the Thirteen Colonies
because it disallowed westward expansion into the Ohio
River valley. This Act would fuel anti-British sentiment

The Royal Proclamation
Quebec was reduced in size

The Royal Proclamation
Reversal of the Royal Proclamation

The Quebec Act
British landholding and legal systems
were implemented in Upper Canada

The Constitutional Act
British landholding and legal systems were
implemented in Upper Canada
Preservation of French-Catholic rights is Lower
Canada

The Constitutional Act
With growing unrest in the Thirteen
Colonies, the British intended to mend
relations with the Canadiens

The Quebec Act
French Civil Law replaced the
British legal system

The Quebec Act
Protestantism replaced
Catholicism

The Royal Proclamation
To provide familiar British-style rule
for the newly arrived Loyalists

The Constitutional Act
Divide the colony of Quebec into two sections
based on ethnic lines – Upper Canada (Ontario)
and Lower Canada (Quebec)

The Constitutional Act
It showed the Canadiens that the British
government could not be trusted to protect
French culture
 The Royal Proclamation