Reformers in the Colonies of British North America Stayed in Contact with Each Other. They

SS10 – Mr. Bilan

Class #3 Blanks

Section 1

Reformers in the colonies of British North America stayed in contact with each other. They shared their views on government and the economy and exchanged possible solutions to problems. Although the leaders of the reform movement were close, their goals were not in harmony. However, they all realized that change in one colony would set a pattern for change in the others.

It soon became clear that government could not be reformed fromwithin. It was also nearly impossible to weaken the Chateau Clique or Family Compact, so Mackenzie and Papineau prepared for armed attacks on the government.

Radicals planned revolts in both Upper and Lower Canada since Britain didn’t have enough troops to fight back everywhere. However, the reform movement in the Maritimes did not join.

Rebellion first started out in Lower Canada, led by the Fils de la Liberte(Sons of Liberty), named after radicals in the American Revolution. But the Catholic Church advised their parishioners to stay loyal to Britain.

The rebellion began with the attempted arrest of Papineau, who fled Montreal afterwards. In a series of skirmishes and small battles like at St/ Denis, St. Charles, and St. Eustache, British troops defeated the Patriote forces, especially at St. Eustache, where many Patriotes were killed or wounded. By December 1837, most rebel leaders and supporters had been arrested while Papineau fled to the United States.

Section 2

Nationalist feelings among the French in Lower Canada convinced their reformers that they were part of a larger cause. But in Upper Canada, Mackenzie and other radical leaders wanted anAmerican style democracy, which distanced them from many English, who thought the United States was an enemy.

Moderate reformers found their hopes dashed by the appointment of Sir Francis Bond Head as governor. His sympathies were with the Family Compact and he had a heavy-handed administration. After the assembly reprimanded him, he dissolved it and won an election advocating loyalty to Britain. Mackenzie took this as a call toarms and rebellion.

Mackenzie decided to strike after hearing that Toronto (or York) was unguarded. His goals were to take over the arms and ammunition, capture Bond Head, and set up aindependent government. Because he could not convince other radicals to join him, Mackenzie’s army did not have wide support. He ordered an attack on Montgomery’s Tavern, riding a white horse.

During the attack, the rebels lack of military experience was clear. When rebel troops fell to reload, the soldiers in the rear thought they had been killed and abandoned the battlefield.

Later on, the rebels were defeated by a militia led by Alan McNab. Mackenzieescaped to the US disguised as a woman. Although incidents continued until 1838, the 1837 Rebellions were a failure.

Section 3

Work together on this section if you have time; if not, consider It review for the quiz on Tuesday

1. Whose appointment made the Upper Canada reformers realize that a peaceful solution was probably not possible?

2. How were the reformers in the two colonies connected to each other?

3. What feelings separated the Lower Canada reformers from those in Upper Canada?

4. What group started the rebellion in Lower Canada? Who were they named after?