Causes of the revolt in Upper Canada

Causes of the revolt in Upper Canada

1. Radical reformers

   • From 1828 Robert Baldwin had formed the moderate voice of reformers and was developing the idea of responsible self-government
   • William Lyon Mackenzie became a radical reformer after his newspaper was attacked by the sons of the Family Compact in 1826
   • Mackenzie advocated that Canada seek independence and follow the suit of the American colonies

2. Emigration into the province

   • Irish immigration into Canada in the 1830s meant places east of Toronto became notably Irish in character.
   • Prejudices towards the Irish included that they were feckless, criminally inclined and carried disease
   • Reformers objected to the costs and lack of consultation over the Ops Township Scheme which helped poor immigrants
   • Family Compact objected to number of Irish immigrants who were unlikely to support their power and would upset the status quo
   • Concerns regarding immigration increased with the cholera epidemics of 1832 and 1834
   • American financial crisis in 1837 also heightened concerns over immigration

3. The 1836 election

   • The 1836 election was successful for Head as it removed Reformers from the legislative assembly a delivered a pro-government majority
   • A variety of laws were passed to prevent the reformers challenging their position
     • Extension of legislative session
     • A law preventing members of the legislature from serving as executive councillors. This cemented power of Family Compact
     • Under Mackenzie's leadership, many Reformers came to believe rebellion was now necessary and established Committees of Correspondence and secret councils

4. Action of the lieutenant governors

   • Sir John Colborne (1828-35 office) and Sir Francis Bond Head (1835-38 office) were governors of Upper Canada with an authoritarian attitude and saw themselves as superior to the executive council
   • Colborne did improve infrastructure to some extent
   • Colborne bypassed the legislative assembly to pay officials' salaries
   • Colborne set up a classic English preparatory school instead of the called for university
   • Colborne was demoted after his most controversial move when he allocated income from clergy reserves to 44 Anglican Churches
   • Sir Francis Head had no previous colonial experience
   • Head invited reformers onto the executive committee but then removed them when they complained about lack of consultation
   • Head campaigned against the Reformers in 1836 election