Changes in Colonial Government:
The Durham Report and Responsible Government
Context and Key Questions
Context:
• Britain has lost 13 colonies, only 6 remain
• Noted similarities between conditions leading to rebellions of
1837/8 and the American Revolution.
• Critics of British government accusing it of neglecting the North
American colonies in terms of leadership and in allowing local
democracy.
What geographic and
cultural characteristics
Key Questions
discouraged cooperation
• What did Durham identify as the causes of the 1837/8
rebellions?
among
the colonies?
• What does responsible government mean and why did Durham
recommend it?
• How did the Act of Union affect the relationship among the five
colonies?
• How did responsible government come about in Nova Scotia, and
the Canadas (Upper and Lower)?
Lord Durham
The Man:
• John “Radical Jack” Lambton
• Powerful voice of reform in 1830s
• Advocated for secret ballot and extended
voting rights
• Born 1792 Died 1840
The Job:
• Head Commission of Inquiry into 1837/8
Rebellions
• Make recommendations for the future of
Canadas.
• Serve as GG.
• “People who wanted to see political change in the
colonies were pleased by Durham’s appointment.”
Why?
Lord Durham (II)
The (Original) Idea:
• Joining colonies of Upper Canada, Lower
Canada and Maritimes into single legislative
union.
The Benefits:
• Prevent local oligarchies from controlling
political life.
• Increased tax-base to fund large-scale projects
The Reaction:
• NO WAY. Why?
The (Next) Idea:
• Union of Upper and Lower Canada only.
• Supported by William and Robert Baldwin.
Robert Baldwin
The Proposal
Government
IResponsible
would ask Your
Lordship,is…
would the people of England endue any
• A system where the government is responsible to the elected Assembly
system
of Executive Government over which they had less influence than
and the people who elect them.
that
presentinexists
[in the
Canadas]?
Your Lordship knows they
• Awhich
systematalready
existence
in Britain
at this time.
would not. Can you then expect the people of these colonies with their
The Baldwin Brothers’ Proposal:
English
feelings and English sympathies to be satisfied with less.. They
• Colonial Governor (British appointed) serves as Head of State
can
see a reason
whychoose
their relations
foreign
should
be placed
• Governor
must
Executivewith
Council
fromcountries
the elected
members
of thehands:
Legislative
Assembly.
in other
but none
why their domestic concerns should not be managed
• Governor must accept the advice of the council on domestic matters.
upon
similar principles to those applied in the administration of the
• Governor (and Britain) maintains control over foreign affairs.
Imperial
• WhereGovernment…”
does the true (domestic) power lie with this system?
Robert Baldwin to Lord Durham August 1838
The Proposal (II)
Baldwin’s Proposal
Existing Structure
The Baldwin’s Proposal Appeals to Durham…
1. Form of government similar to Britain’s (familiarity).
2. Responsible government for local issues (thus silencing
complaints).
3. Acceptable to important leaders in all 6 colonies.
One exception…
1. No responsible government extended to Lower Canada.
Why?
• Unfavourable view of Canadiens, and yet treated
rebel leaders leniently.
The Report
Causes of Conflict in Lower Canada
• Industrial Economy vs. Agricultural
Economy
“I expected to find a contest between a
government and a people: I found two nations
warring in the bosom of s ingle state…It will be
acknowledged…that sooner or later the English
race was sure to predominate even numerically
in Lower Canada.”
Causes of Conflict in Upper Canada
• Clergy Reserves
“as most emigrants are not members of the
COE, the disproportion is likely to increase…I
know of no mode of this question being settled
but by repealing all provisions in Imperial Acts
that relate…to the clergy reserves…”
On the Union of the Canadas
• Solution to political, cultural and
economic problems: assimilation.
“I have little doubt that the French, when once
placed by legitimate course of events and the
working of natural causes, in a minority, would
abandon their vain hopes of a nationality.”
On Responsible Government
• Noted envy of colonists of economic
prosperity and democratic system of
USA.
• Annexation a real threat.
“this is the last effort of their almost exhausted
patience…and that the government of the
colony should henceforth be carried on in
conformity with the views of the majority of the
Assembly.”
The Report (II)
Reactions:
• Oligarchies (FC, CC)
• Fearful
• See pg. 61
• Atlantic Colonies
• Supportive
• “two prime recommendations, being perfectly simple and eminently British.”
• Reformers (British, Colonial)
• Content
• “Death to the Family Compact and up with the Durham Constitution!”
• Canadien leaders
• Insulted
• Tories (British, Colonial)
• Saw as an attack on their privileges and power.
Questions 1-4 on Page 61.
The Act of Union
Colony vs. Nation
The Act of Union (II)
Accepted
• Union of Canadas into one colony
• Debts merged into one.
• Canada West and Canada East.
• One elected Legislative Assembly- each
Canada had equal representation. **
Denied
• Structures to impement Responsible
Government.
The Act of Union (III)
Opposition
• Canadien moderates.
• Catholic Church
Supporters
• British government
• Approved 1840 (July), Proclamation 1841
• British minority in the Canadas. Why?
• Industrialisation vs. agriculture
• Bigotry
• Editorials on voting rights qualifications
• Tory-dominated Assembly in Upper Canada
• Qualifications:
• Loan to cover newly combined debts.
• Relocation of capital to Kingston
• English the only official language.
Responsible Government: Maritimes
Joseph Howe
Powerful
Elites
No bitter
French/
English
divide
•
•
•
No large
recent
immigration
•
•
•
•
•
Twice led non
confidence
votes against
Governors
Appointed to
Executive
Council
Forced
withdrawal of
3 governors
1847 ElectionReformer
Victory
1848- NS
1849- NB
1851- PEI
1855- NL
Responsible Government: Canadas
Baron Syndenham
• First governor of United Canadas
• Two tasks
1. Bring economic prosperity.
• Success!
2. Prevent introduction of responsible government.
• Forced to end practice of lifetime
appointments to Executive Council.
• Divided Clergy Reserves amongst all
LA
Churches.
Support
• Clergy Reserve Revenues used to fund
schools.
• District Council Act 1841.
Responsible Government: Canadas (II)
Robert
Baldwin
(Canada
West)
Reformers
/Opp.
GG
ALLIANCE
Syndham
GG
Dies
Lafontaine
(Canada
East)
Responsible Government: Canadas (III)
Robert
Baldwin
(Canada
West)
ALLIANCE
Lafontaine
(Canada
East)
Seeks support: invites to Executive Council
Reformers
/Opp.
GG
Bagot
GG
Resigns
Responsible Government: Canadas (III)
Robert
Baldwin
(Canada
West)
Reformers
/Opp.
GG
ALLIANCE
Metcalfe
GG
Appoints friends to
power
Lafontaine
(Canada
East)
End of
mercantilist
system
Responsible Government: Canadas (IV)
Election 1844
• Tories win a majority.
• Metcalfe (GG) appoints Tories to Executive Council
Election 1848
• Refomers win large majority.
• Metcalfe has resigned, GG is now Elgin (Durham’s son in law), Secretary is now Grey
(Durham’s brother in law).
• Elgin calls upon Baldwin and LaFontaine to form Executive Council. They select from
their Assembly.
Test #1
• 1849 Rebellion Losses Bill
• Elgin did not favour passage; signs it.
Test #2
• 1859 tariffs (20%) on imported goods to raise money for public works.
• British merchants upset, British government threatens to dissallow, but eventually backs
down.