Rebellions of 1837
Textbook = Flashback Canada (pages 3-50)
Chapter One:
1. Define:
A. Rebellion = an armed uprising against the established government
B. Family Compact = People who were loyal to Britain (United Empire
Loyalists) that were upper class individuals. They believed that they could
govern the colony more effectively than the ordinary people.
C. Clergy Reserves = 1/7th of all surveyed land was given to the Anglican
Church
2. Copy and complete the Time-line for the Battle of Toronto, 1837 on page 9.
Mon. Dec. 4th
 MacKenzie gathers rebels at Montgomery’s Tavern north of Toronto
 Rebels plan to attack Toronto and seize parliament
 Panic in Toronto
 John Powell is stopped by rebels but escapes after killing Anthony
Anderson, one of Mackenzie’s experienced military leaders
 Colonel Moodie is killed trying to get info about the rebels to the governor
Tues. Dec. 5th
 300 trained fighters were available to defend Toronto
 Rebels forces were 5000
 Governor Sir Francis Bond Head places his family on a steamer for
safety
 Governor Head sends officials to bargain with MacKenzie for a truce
at Yonge St. Gallow’s Hill
 A pardon was offered to those who laid down weapons, but
MacKenzie refused
 Samuel Lount led armed rebels in a night attack
 At Mrs. Sharpe’s garden, Sherif Jarvis and 27 troops ambushed the
rebels
 Both sides retreated
Wed. Dec. 6th
 Reinforcements began to arrive in Toronto
 Main buildings were barricaded
 MacKenzie and Lount hold up a stage coach and seize letters about
the defense of the city
Thurs. Dec. 7th
 Van Egmond takes control of the rebel troops at Montgomery’s
tavern
 Only 500 poorly equipped rebels
 Governor Head and Loyalists move to attack the rebel headquarters
at Montgomery’s tavern

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
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Loyalists used cannons and the rebels started to flee
Governor Head found MacKenzie’s papers in the tavern, which
contained names of the rebels
Less than a half hour the fighting was over and the Loyalists won
Rebels leaders fled to avoid being taken as prisoners
3. Briefly discuss the reasons why the rebels had feelings of discontent.
 Lack of say in government
o Assembly was elected colonists who proposed bills
o Executive & Legislative Councils were appointed by the
governor and they approved/rejected bills
o Real power was in the hands of the governor and councils
 No access to influential positions
o Governor was from Britain
o He chose the councillors from the wealthy and influential
people who were mainly Loyalists (Family Compact)
o Governor appointed all officials
 Unfair distribution of land grants
o Best land given to members of Family Compact
o Less than 1/10th of land was producing crops
o 1/7th of surveyed land went to the Anglican church, which were
mostly left uncleared
 No money to improve farming conditions
o Roads were terrible for transporting farm goods to markets
o Money was spent of canals that benefitted the merchants
4. Complete questions on page 18
#2. A. What were the rights and privileges held by the members of the Family
Compact?
 Appointed members of councils and appointed officials
 Best land grants
 Tax money went to building canals which benefitted merchants
B. Why did the governor rely so heavily on the Family Compact for advice?
 He was from Britain and was there for a short stay.
 He was unfamiliar with the people and how the colony was run.
C. Why did the elected Assembly in the colonies have little real power?
 Executive & Legislative Councils were appointed by the governor and
they approved bills and rejected bills
#5. A. What would a citizen have to do to claim the 1000 pounds reward?
 Apprehend and Deliver to justice MacKenzie
B. What else does this poster promise a rebel who turns over William Lyon
MacKenzie to the government?
 A pardon and same reward
C. The poster urges people who are followers of MacKenzie to give up the idea of
rebellion. What are the three things the poster says the government expects these
people to do? What does the government promise in return?
 Return to duty to the sovereign
 To Obey Laws
 Live as good and faithful subjects
 The government of the Queen will be as indulgent as it is just
D. On Thurs, 7 Dec 1837 at 3pm, what were the rebels doing? What was the
government trying to do at this time?
 Dispersing and flying before the Loyal Militia
 Find them and arrest them
Chapter Two:
1. Define:
A. Conservatives/Tories: friends and supporters of the Family Compact.
They wanted to conserve or keep the existing form of government
B. Reformers/Moderate Reformers: wanted the system of government
changed or reformed so that ordinary people would have more influence.
Moderates realize that change takes time.
C. Responsible Government: Governor should be responsible for carrying out
the wishes of the majority in the Assembly. Colonies wanted to manage their
own affairs
2. Summarize the profile on William Lyon Mackenzie on page 21
 Reformer in Upper Canada
 Keen reader and quoted famous authors
 In York, he set up a newspaper called the Colonial Advocate
 In the Advocate, he attacked the Family Compact and the governor
 Members of Family compact destroyed his press, but he took them to
court and won the case. He bought another press and continued the
newspaper.
 Elected member of the Assembly, where he continued his attack on
the government.
 Great orator, who was often expelled from the Assemble but he voted
back in each time.
 First mayor of Toronto in 1834
3. Complete questions on page 29
#3. Radical, Moderate Reformer or Conservative???
A. Samuel Lount = Radical
B. Francis Bond Head = Conservative
C. Robert Baldwin =
D. Robert Gourlay =
#4. How did Robert Baldwin propose to alter the system of government in Upper
Canada? Why would Britain find Baldwin’s approach more acceptable than Mackenzie’s
approach?
#6.Was the hanging to Samuel Lount justified? Would he be hanged for the same
offence today?
#8. Discuss Elizabeth Lount’s comments about the rebls: Canadians cannot long remain
in bondage. They will be free.”
Chapter Three:
1. Define:
A. Chateau Clique:
B. Patriotes:
C. Ninety-two Resolutions:
2. Summarize the time-line of the Rebellion in Lower Canada 1837 (page 35)
3. Who was Louis-Joseph Papineau?
4. Complete questions #2 to 4 on page 38
Chapter Four:
1. Define:
A. Durham Report
B. Act of Union 1841
C. Rebellion Losses Bill
2. Complete questions #2,3,4