Lord Durham and His Work
Why did the British government send a person(unnamed) to Canada in 1838?
To investigate the causes of unrest and suggest ways to stop future conflicts.
In what year did the British government put Durham’s recommendations into effect?
1841
In what year was the Rebellion Losses Bill passed?
1849
Were most people in Canada living in cities or rural areas?
Rural areas
What two ideas does history balance between?
Continuity and change
What event led to this official arriving in Quebec City in June 1838?
Rebellions in both Upper and Lower Canada.
Which group in Lower Canada did Durham want to change over time?
The French population
What did the Rebellion Losses Bill provide to people affected by the rebellions?
Compensation for lost property
About what percentage of people lived in large towns?
8.9%
What does continuity focus on?
Keeping traditional ways of life
What personal skills helped him communicate with different groups in Canada?
He could speak both English and French.
What culture did Durham believe the French population of Lower Canada should gradually adopt?
English culture
Why were many people upset about the bill?
Because some former rebels also received compensation
Which region had the larger population, Canada West or Canada East?
Canada East
What was transportation like before steam engines were invented?
It was slow and communities were often isolated
What values guided his approach to solving Canada’s political problems?
Fairness, public safety, and avoiding violence.
Why did Durham want to change the political system in Canada?
To reform government while keeping Canadians loyal to Britain
How did Governor Lord Elgin personally feel about the bill?
He disagreed with it
Why did many immigrants leave Canada even though immigration was high?
To find city jobs in the United States
How did the steam engine change transportation?
It allowed railways to expand
Why couldn’t all of his proposed changes be put into action right away?
They required approval from the British government.
What was one major result of the British response to Durham’s report for the regions of Canada?
Ongoing problems and tensions between East Canada and West Canada
Why did Lord Elgin sign the bill even though he disagreed?
He believed elected officials should make the decisions, showing they had real power in government.
Why was life still hard for many workers even though goods were cheap?
Because most people earned less than $1 a day, and women were paid about half as much as men.
How do faster travel and trade show change in society?
They made it easier for people and goods to move, even while some traditions stayed the same.