Transcript The Evolution of Government in Newfoundland 1800

The Evolution of Government in
Newfoundland 1800- 1934
From Infant to Adult
The Timeline:
1800
Naval
Governor
= infant
1817
Naval
Governor lives
in NL year
round
1824
Civil
Governor
=
Tween
1832
Representative
Government=
Teenager
1855
RESPONSIBLE
GOVERNMENT=
Adult
Naval Governors 1800-1817
• Appointed by the British
Government
• “Excellency”
• Had power over the
military, politics and the
courts
• 1800s,
Newfoundland/Labrador
seen as a fishing
station, not a settlement
Henry Osborn
First Naval Governor NL
Naval Governors 1800-1817
• There was
settlement in many
places, St. John’s
was growing, but
the governor only
stayed here for part
of the year.
Naval Governors 1800-1817
• Problems in fishery and no
money led to riots in
winters of 1816-1818
• Governor instructed to stay
in the colony year-round
after that
• “Winter of the Rals” – riots,
starving people, all kinds of
issues
• Governor Pickmore died in
St. John’s that winter – see
Did You Know? P.71
Naval Governors 1800-1817
Weakness of this type of government:
1. The people of Newfoundland were not
allowed to elect leaders
2. British Government made all decisions
3. Naval governors were not responsive to
the needs of the people of
Newfoundland
Civil Governor 1824
• Newfoundland became a Crown
Colony in 1824.
• Appointed by the British government
• Newfoundlanders had some say in
their affairs
• Civil Governor could seek advice of an
appointed local council (but DID NOT
HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM!)
Civil Governor 1824
Weakness of this type
of government:
1. Appointed and not
elected
Representative Government
1832-1855
1. Governor appointed by Britain
2. Legislative council appointed by Governor/
British Government. Usually wealthy,
originating from England.
** Governor+ Council= POWER TO MAKE
LAWS!!
Representative Government
1832-1855
3. Elected Assembly
• Men over the age of 21, and living in NL for
1 year could vote to elect members
• Women and the poor were disenfranchised
(no right to vote)
• 15 members of the House of Assembly,
representing 9 electoral districts (p73)
Representative Government
1832-1855
3. Elected Assembly
• Could suggest new laws to the governor
and council
• Had NO POWER to make laws
Representative Government
1832-1855
Weaknesses of this form of government:
1. French Shore, south coast and Labrador
were not represented
2. Women and the poor were not allowed to
vote
3. The council and elected assembly argued
constantly and got little accomplished
Responsible Government
•
•
•
•
•
•
1855- 1934
Reformers wanted this
Governor did not want this style of gov’t
Executive council oppose as well
Both not want to lose their power
Reformers pressured British gov’t and
after several years they agreed
Responsible Government
1. Governor- had no real power any more
2. Executive Council (Cabinet)
• Appointed by the governor
• Members came from the political party
that gained the most votes in the election
• The leader of that party became Premier
Responsible Government
•
•
Phillip Francis Little
becomes first Premier
The style of
government stay in
place till 1934