Causes of the revolt in Upper Canada

Radical reformers
1. From 1828 Robert Baldwin had formed the moderate voice of reformers and was developing the idea of responsible self-government
2. William Lyon Mackenzie became a radical reformer after his newspaper was attacked by the sons of the Family Compact in 1826
3. Mackenzie advocated that Canada seek independence and follow the suit of the American colonies
Emigration into the province
1. Irish immigration into Canada in the 1830s meant places east of Toronto became notably Irish in character.
2. Prejudices towards the Irish included that they were feckless, criminally inclined and carried disease
3. Reformers objected to the costs and lack of consultation over the Ops Township Scheme which helped poor immigrants
4. Family Compact objected to number of Irish immigrants who were unlikely to support their power and would upset the status quo
5. Concerns regarding immigration increased with the cholera epidemics of 1832 and 1834
6. American financial crisis in 1837 also heightened concerns over immigration
The 1836 election
1. The 1836 election was successful for Head as it removed Reformers from the legislative assembly a delivered a pro-government majority
2. A variety of laws were passed to prevent the reformers challenging their position
  1. Extension of legislative session
  2. A law preventing members of the legislature from serving as executive councillors. This cemented power of Family Compact
  3. Under Mackenzie's leadership, many Reformers came to believe rebellion was now necessary and established Committees of Correspondence and secret councils
Action of the lieutenant governors
1. 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
2. Colborne did improve infrastructure to some extent
3. Colborne bypassed the legislative assembly to pay officials' salaries
4. Colborne set up a classic English preparatory school instead of the called for university
5. Colborne was demoted after his most controversial move when he allocated income from clergy reserves to 44 Anglican Churches
6. Sir Francis Head had no previous colonial experience
7. Head invited reformers onto the executive committee but then removed them when they complained about lack of consultation
8. Head campaigned against the Reformers in 1836 election

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Causes of the revolt in Upper Canada

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