The War of 1812
What country fought against Britain and its allies in the War of 1812.
The United States
What was the major cause of Irish immigration during this time?
The Irish potato famine
What two places were the main sites of the rebellions?
Upper Canada and Lower Canada
What was created by the act of union?
The Province of Canada
The War of 1812 helped Canadians feel this way about their country.
More patriotic / proud / unified
What famous Indigenous leader allied with the British to fight American expansion?
Chief Tecumseh
What was the name for the overcrowded ships that immigrants came on? Why did they call them this?
Coffin ships- they were overcrowded and many people died on them as starvation and disease spread.
Who led the rebellion in Upper and Lower Canada?
- William Mackenzie (Upper Canada)
- Joseph Papineau (Lower Canada)
What 2 colonies were united with the act of union? And what did they rename them afterwards?
Upper Canada and Lower Canada
East Canada and West Canada
The rebellions helped lead to this major change in government.
Responsible Government
Why did the United States declare a war on Britain?
Because they were stealing American sailors and American ships- not treating the United States with the respect that they felt that they deserved.
Why did many immigrants settle in rural areas during the Great Migration?
Land was more available and affordable in rural areas, and many immigrants were farmers seeking new opportunities.
Why were people angry at the British? Name 3 reasons
- They felt as though though the government was being unfair
- They wanted responsible government and were angry that they had no say
- High taxes
-Low wages
- Crop failures
- Feeling that the government is ignoring them
- A small elite group of people is controlling and influencing the government for their own benefit
- Cultural tensions in Lower Canada- Francophones feeling as though their culture is being erased by a British government.
The act of union followed the recommendation from which report?
The Durham Report
This was one way the British tried to strengthen their control over the colonies without using military force.
The Great Migration of 1815-1850
Why did it seem as though the United States had more of an advantage going into the war than Britain/Canada?
- There were many more people living in the United Sates than British North America
- The United States made their own weapons and did not rely on any home country
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How did the arrival of thousands of British immigrants during the Great Migration affect the relationship between English and French Canadians?
It increased tension, as the growing English-speaking population gave more political and cultural power to British settlers, making French Canadians feel more marginalized and threatened.
What happened directly after the rebellions?
- Lord Durham was sent to investigate what happened
- He wrote the Durham report explaining why the rebellions happened
Describe responsible government in terms of the act of union.
Responsible government means that elected officials are accountable to the people, not just the governor. In the context of the Act of Union, responsible government was not granted right away—power still rested with the governor and appointed councils. However, the Act set the stage for political reform, and by 1848, pressure from both Canada East and West led to responsible government being established, giving more power to the elected assembly.
Looking at all four events, what patterns do you see in how British colonial authorities responded to unrest or demands for change?
- Great Migration
- War of 1812
- Rebellions of 1837 and 1838
- Act of Union
Across all four events, British colonial authorities often responded to unrest or demands for change with limited reforms designed to maintain control. They prioritized preserving British power and influence—through military force (War of 1812), increased immigration (Great Migration), political restructuring (Act of Union), and slow concessions like responsible government (after the Rebellions)—rather than fully addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction.
What treaty ended the war? And what was the result of this?
The Treaty of Ghent (1814)
No one took any land from anyone
The border between the United States and Canada became more official
The war showed that Canada could defend itself and brought the people together to have a stronger sense of identity.
What were some long-term impacts of the Great Migration on Canadian society and identity?
It helped establish a stronger British presence in the colonies, contributed to infrastructure growth (like roads and canals), increased demand for land, and laid the foundation for a British-dominated Canadian identity that shaped politics and culture for decades.
What deeper issue caused the French Canadians in Lower Canada to rebel that was less significant in Upper Canada?
The desire to preserve French language, culture, and political influence in the face of British control and assimilation?
The Act gave equal political representation to Canada East and Canada West, even though Canada East had a larger population. What does this tell you about the British government's priorities at the time?
It shows that the British government prioritized giving English-speaking Canada West more political power, even if it wasn’t proportional, to weaken French Canadian influence and promote assimilation into British culture.
In what ways did immigration during the Great Migration change the cultural and political balance in the colonies?
Immigration during the Great Migration brought a large number of English-speaking settlers, especially to Upper Canada, which increased the British population and strengthened British cultural and political influence. This shift reduced the relative power of French Canadians, especially in Lower Canada, leading to increased tensions over language, religion, and governance.