Horton High School's Canadian
History 12 Web Page and Student
Resource
Chapter 14 - Reform in the Maritimes and
the Durham Report
in the Maritimes, rebellion was never a
real option, as was the case in both Upper and Lower Canada. The Maritimes
was traditionally much more loyal to the Crown, especially with the strong
Loyalist population. Still, there were those who opposed British control,
and let it be known. The most well known of these was Sir Joseph Howe,
a journalist and future father of Confederation. He attacked the oligarchic
rule of Nova Scotia and called for sweeping reforms of the political structure,
and was one of the first activists for responsible government in the future
Canada.
in 1835, Howe was taken to court by the
government for slander, and he successfully defended himself. In the following
year, with his popularity swelling amongst the masses, he was elected to
the Assembly, and would serve Nova Scotia and Canada for years to come.
the Durham Report:
the Rebellions of 1837 forced the British
government to take a look at the conditions and state of the Canadian colony.
To do this they sent the young, ambitious politician to the Canadas, by
the name of Lord Durham. Durham arrived in 1838 and locked himself up in
a the Chateau in Quebec City. He stayed for five months. He interviewed
some and sent assistants out into the colonies, and then compiled a report.
The "Durham Report" made the following recommendations:
1] the Executive and
Legislative Councils needed more cooperation;
2] Upper and Lower Canada should be united as one body;
3] the French-Canadians should be "anglicized";
4] called for responsible government - an elected government
by the people;
5] more colonial input and say over affairs which directly
affected the colony.
1839 - this report was submitted to the
British government, and it was taken very seriously. This document was
unfair to the French-Canadians, yet would serve as one of the major steeping
stones towards the formation of Canada, as Britain now realized that more
colonial autonomy was needed.
