History of Canada – Before 1867 Unit 4 ReviewSocial, Economic & Political Change in Canada

Key Events and Timeline

• 1791: Constitutional Act divides the Province of Quebec into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, establishing separate legislatures and administrations for each region
• 1812-1814: War of 1812 between British North America and the United States results in a strengthened sense of Canadian identity and unity
• 1837-1838: Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions challenge the power of the ruling elite and demand political reforms
  • Upper Canada Rebellion led by William Lyon Mackenzie
  • Lower Canada Rebellion led by Louis-Joseph Papineau
• 1840: Act of Union unites Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada, establishing a single legislature with equal representation for both regions
• 1846: Oregon Treaty establishes the 49th parallel as the border between British North America and the United States west of the Rocky Mountains
• 1854: Reciprocity Treaty between British North America and the United States promotes free trade and economic growth
• 1864-1867: Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences lay the groundwork for Confederation, leading to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867

Social Transformations

• Growth of urban centers due to increased immigration and industrialization
  • Montreal and Toronto emerge as major economic and cultural hubs
• Rise of the middle class as a result of economic growth and expanded educational opportunities
• Changing gender roles and expectations
  • Women's participation in the workforce increases, particularly in factories and domestic service
  • Emergence of women's rights movements advocating for suffrage and legal equality
• Expansion of public education systems in Upper and Lower Canada
  • Egerton Ryerson plays a key role in establishing a public school system in Upper Canada
• Shift towards a more diverse and multicultural society with the arrival of immigrants from various European countries
• Continued marginalization and displacement of Indigenous peoples as European settlement expands
• Growth of religious diversity, with the establishment of various Protestant denominations and the arrival of Jewish and Muslim immigrants

Economic Developments

• Rapid growth of the timber trade, particularly in the Ottawa Valley and New Brunswick
  • Timber becomes a major export commodity to Britain
• Expansion of the agricultural sector, with the introduction of new crops and farming techniques
  • Wheat emerges as a key crop in Upper Canada
• Development of the St. Lawrence Seaway as a major transportation route for goods and people
• Growth of the mining industry, particularly in the Maritimes and the Gaspé region of Lower Canada
  • Coal mining becomes a significant economic activity in Nova Scotia
• Emergence of the textile industry in Lower Canada, centered around Montreal
• Increased investment in infrastructure projects, such as canals and railways, to facilitate trade and transportation
• Establishment of the first banks and financial institutions in British North America
  • Bank of Montreal founded in 1817

Political Shifts and Reforms

• Gradual transition from a colonial system of government to responsible government
  • Lord Durham's Report (1839) recommends granting greater autonomy to the colonies
• Emergence of political parties and the development of a more democratic political culture
  • Tories (Conservatives) and Reformers (Liberals) become the dominant political factions
• Demands for greater political representation and accountability from the ruling elite
  • Rebellions of 1837-1838 in Upper and Lower Canada reflect growing discontent with the status quo
• Increasing calls for the separation of church and state, particularly in Lower Canada
• Growth of the abolitionist movement and the fight against slavery in British North America
  • Underground Railroad helps enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in Canada
• Negotiations and debates surrounding Confederation, culminating in the British North America Act of 1867
  • Confederation establishes the Dominion of Canada as a federal state with a central government and provincial legislatures

Cultural Changes

• Flourishing of literature, art, and music as expressions of a distinct Canadian identity
  • Susanna Moodie's "Roughing It in the Bush" (1852) depicts life in the Canadian wilderness
  • Cornelius Krieghoff's paintings capture the landscapes and people of Lower Canada
• Growth of newspapers and periodicals as platforms for public discourse and debate
  • The Globe, founded by George Brown in 1844, becomes a influential voice for reform in Upper Canada
• Emergence of a distinctly Canadian English dialect and vocabulary
  • Words like "chesterfield" (sofa) and "toque" (knitted cap) enter the lexicon
• Increased interest in preserving and promoting the cultures of Indigenous peoples
  • Missionary work and anthropological studies document Indigenous languages, traditions, and art forms
• Influence of British and American cultural trends on Canadian society
  • Victorian fashion and architecture become popular among the upper and middle classes
• Development of a Canadian sporting culture, with the codification of lacrosse as the national sport

Demographic Trends

• Rapid population growth due to natural increase and immigration
  • Population of British North America increases from approximately 1 million in 1815 to 3.5 million by 1867
• Urbanization and the growth of cities, particularly in Upper and Lower Canada
  • Montreal's population surpasses 100,000 by 1860
• Continued influx of British immigrants, particularly from Scotland and Ireland
  • Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine (1845-1852) settle in large numbers in British North America
• Arrival of immigrants from continental Europe, including Germans, Italians, and Eastern Europeans
• Decline of the Indigenous population due to disease, displacement, and assimilation policies
  • Smallpox and other epidemics devastate Indigenous communities
• Changing age structure of the population, with a growing proportion of young people
  • High birth rates and improving life expectancy contribute to a more youthful population

Significant Figures and Movements

• Louis-Joseph Papineau: Leader of the Parti Patriote and a key figure in the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837-1838
• William Lyon Mackenzie: Journalist and politician who led the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837
• Lord Durham: British colonial administrator whose report on the Rebellions of 1837-1838 recommended granting responsible government to the colonies
• Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine: Reformist politicians who worked to establish responsible government in the Province of Canada
• George Brown: Journalist and politician who advocated for Confederation and played a key role in the Quebec Conference of 1864
• John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier: Fathers of Confederation who negotiated the terms of the British North America Act
• Egerton Ryerson: Educator and Methodist minister who played a key role in establishing the public school system in Upper Canada
• Temperance Movement: Social and political movement that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol consumption
• Abolitionist Movement: Campaign to end slavery and promote the rights of African Americans in British North America

Impact and Legacy

• Confederation (1867) establishes the foundation for the modern Canadian state
  • British North America Act creates a federal system with a division of powers between the central government and the provinces
• Development of a distinct Canadian identity and culture
  • Emergence of Canadian literature, art, and music reflects a growing sense of national pride and unity
• Expansion of the Canadian economy and infrastructure
  • Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (1881-1885) links the country from coast to coast
• Continued evolution of Canadian democracy and political institutions
  • Women's suffrage movements lead to the granting of the right to vote at the federal level in 1918
• Ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights and reconciliation
  • Numbered Treaties (1871-1921) establish a system of reserves and government control over Indigenous peoples
• Canada's role in World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) solidifies its position as a significant international actor
• Legacy of cultural diversity and multiculturalism
  • Canada becomes known as a "cultural mosaic," celebrating the contributions of various ethnic and cultural groups