IMPACT OF THE UNION OF 1841 ON FRENCH CANADA

1 This happened after the inversion of the two colonies by imperialists in 1837. Lord Durham proposal to unite the two provinces aimed at developing a common commercial system. In that case, the unified Canada would now benefit from controlling the divisive forces present in French Lower Canada. Establishing the new province of Canada necessitated the Act's passage. After its passage in the British parliament, the act was proclaimed. He sought to establish the cause of 1837-38 rebellion in both Lower and Upper Canada. He aspired to reinstate peace throughout the two colonies by recommending political unions. Notably, peace would only be achieved by anglicizing French Canadians and gathering a loyal English majority In British North America including developing a responsible government. 2 The union also purposed to solve the financial challenges being experienced in upper Canada.

By this time, Upper Canada had increasingly become indebted attribute to the previous regime that was dominated by the Family Compact. Political and religious leaders in Lower Canada acted against Upper Canada's anti-French legislations. The new merged colony is what came to be known as the Province of Canada. As a result, the government seat was moved to Kingston. Both Canada East and West had a maximum representation of 42 seats in the Legislative Assembly. However, Canada East had more occupants than Canada West. For example, francophone Canada East factions were vital in the approval of the bill proposed by anglophone Canada West factions in what was known as a double majority principle that reflected the duality of the system of administration.

Conversely, francophone remained an inferior group since it represented a vast population. Later, the Lafontaine-Baldwin government succeeded in revoking the law about the use of the French language in courts, civil offices, and the national assembly. For some time, the administrative wings maintained separate governance. Later, there was a decision to have a joint premiership position that would be shared between the sides. Its reforms promoted the creation of institutions designed for the urban working classes. Thus, it introduced free tenure in Montreal. In addition, it recognized and reaffirmed the social role of the Roman Catholic Church. The council allowed new religious orders to be applied in Lower Canada. The bylaw paved the way for new religious communities in Lower Canada.

Further, Canada East was prevented from using the French language. Instead, it was forced to use the English language, which was made an official language. In addition, Lower Canada was forced to share responsibility in settling the debts accrued by West Canada since Public debts of the two colonies were combined. These events suppressed the needs of East Canadians both politically, economically, and socially. The 1840s witnessed Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward, and Newfoundland, the four Atlantic colonies and the united province of Cañada forming assemblies. The state of affairs in the two Canadas was considered less favorable for growth. As a result, Montreal merchants acted in response to the financial hardships that were promoted by the unstable economy.

Even more, the new government began drafting the losses bills accrued by the previous rebellions. The law provided that citizens would be compensated for their losses suffered during the rebellious years. These reforms led to the formation of a new parliament building on April 25, 1849. Notably, the first railway's companies to emerge were Intercolonial Railway and Grand Trunk Railway. Intercolonial Railways linked Maritimes with Montreal while the Grand Trunk Railway traversed from Sarnia, Ontario through to Montreal Portland. However, Grand Trunk Railway boom subsided after the world depression of 1857. The railway line was left with deep debts that were further worsened by political scandals. Conversely, rail lines transformed Canada by breaking the inland isolation and promoting the development of towns like Montreal, Hamilton, and Toronto.

Notably, there was the need to construct the canals on Niagara and St Lawrence rivers. The constructions of the canals were enhanced by the rapid immigration of Irish. 10 The arrival of the Irish Catholics who were fleeing from drought in their homeland was considered as a significant source of labor for the project. As a result, political elites began exploiting the Irish labor. Thus, elites like William Hamilton Merritt achieved both political and economic power. In that case, the political structure established by the 1841 Act of Union proved unable to ensure a smooth governing for the province. Although it provided for an English-speaking majority in the assembly as well as equal representation of Canada West and Canada East, the provisions could not be sustained.

By 1860s the union no longer acted in favor of English-Canadians. This was due to the increasing population of Canada West, which had risen tremendously compared to Canada East. As a result, Canada Wes demanded representation by population. 14 He believed that the acquisition of the Northwest would bring new opportunities. For example, according to him, religion would prosper if it was controlled by voluntary contribution of Christians. In that case, he approached his political rivals Macdonald and Cartier and proposed a grand coalition of reformers Bleus and Tories. The alliance of the two would promote confederation. However, Antoine-Aimer Dorion, leader of Canada East’s Rouges was not included in the coalition. They felt that re-uniting their colonies would promote even more developments.

As a result, the British Colonial Office supported union talks such as the maritime union of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The province of Canada also intended to enter the negotiations. Its plan led to the organization of the Charlottetown Conference in 1864. 15 At that time, British North Americans saw the important role played by domestic trade on East and West Canada. 16 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick believed that the union would promote higher economic growth by securing better railway links and markets. Before the Union Act ended, a federal scheme with both French and English majority had been endorsed in 1865. The constitutions for the successor provinces of Ontario and Canada had also been drafted in 1866. These factors prove that the United Provinces had achieved a lot, despite the belief that confederation was core to its final achievements.