by Eileen Grace

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

The rebellions of 1837 were brought about by a mixture of economic, climatic and political circumstances, which had created a desperate situation for the farmers of both Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec).

The 'Panic of 1837' and the 6 years of economic depression which followed it meant that there was little money circulating in Europe and North America from 1837 - 1843. Add to this crop failures brought on by a combination of extreme weather, soil exhaustion and a decreased demand in England for Canadian wheat and the farmers of both colonies were becoming increasingly distressed. Due to the larger population in Lower Canada, the impact was worse there.

Politically, the British colonial system in North America was essentially still the system that had been in place prior to the US War of Independence, a Governor appointed by the government in London, an elected assembly and a set of appointed officials. Since the American and French revolutions, the British government had become concerned about what was termed 'mob rule,' or the enfranchisement of the lower socioeconomic classes. The British concern over the late 19th century revolutionary movements and their aftermath had caused a transition in the colonies, from political power residing largely with the elected assemblies, to power being held largely by the wealthy elites who held the government appointments.

A major impact of this change from a relatively populist government to one of rule by the wealthy minority is in the priority shown in government spending. The vast majority of population in both colonies were farmers, but the ruling elite consisted largely of business interests. The farmers needed more and better roads and the assemblies would pass resolutions calling for them, but what the governments were actually funding at the time were canals from one city to another.

Added to this were the linguistic and religious tensions of the region, particularly in Lower Canada. With the actual government being run by the appointed elites, and the British policy of supporting the Church of England in all colonies, this put the majority of the population in Lower Canada, who were French-speaking Catholic farmers, feeling very much unsupported and ready to listen to radicals proposing solutions to their issues. In both colonies, but more so in Upper Canada, there were also the loyalists who had moved north after the American Revolution who had absolutely no political voice. The expulsion of the Acadians from the Maritime colonies was in the recent past then, also, and there were refugees of that event living in both Upper and Lower Canada.

Learn more about this author, Eileen Grace.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.