The Influence of Liberal Ideas in Lower Canada
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Transcript The Influence of Liberal Ideas in Lower Canada
The Influence of Liberal Ideas
in Lower Canada
Constitutional Act 1791
1791: Time for Change… Again
British colonists (including the
Loyalists) were unhappy with the
situation in Quebec.
They wanted changes, including a
legislative assmembly. This would give
power to the people.
Many Canadiens wanted this as well.
Influenced by LIBERAL IDEAS about
government.
Liberalism
Believes in individual
freedom and equality.
People should have…
Freedom of expression
Equality
Freedom of belief and
religion
Participation in
government (and vote).
Constitutional Act - 1797
Divided
Quebec
into 2
parts:
Upper
Canada
(west)
Lower
Canada
(east)
Differences between Upper
and Lower Canada
Lower Canada
French Canadian
maj.
Catholic maj.
French civil law,
British criminal
Law.
Upper Canada
Anglophone maj.
Protestant maj.
British civil and
criminal law.
Changes in Government.
Created
parliamentary
system – the people
elected
representatives to a
legislative assembly.
To vote, you had
to:
Legislative assembly
could pass laws and
bills – though they still
had to be approved by
the Legislative council
and Governor (who
were appointed, not
voted in).
Be a British
subject.
Be over 21 years
old.
Own land, or
have rented for
at least a year.