The Conquest

Military Regime and the Royal Proclamation

A Game of Charades

One word, four syllables First syllable: a car in Boston Second syllable: the ____________ and the

pendulum Third syllable: not be but ________ Fourth syllable: not on time

Capitulate

The Military Regime - Capitulation

Quebec City had been captured by the British Mtl. Had been under siege In 1760, the French at Mtl. capitulated (gave

up without fighting) Two sides made an agreement, written up in

a document called, The Articles of Capitulation

Articles of Capitulation

Militiamen could return to their homes People could keep property People could stay Catholic (nuns could stay,

Jesuit priests had to leave) People were British subjects British refused to protect France’s Native

allies No one would be deported to France, but

people were free to leave if they wanted to

Continued . . .

Who stayed: most merchants, clergy, artisans and peasants stayed – they had ties to the colony What would those ties be?

They had family, homes, property, a place in the community

Who left: many administrators who relied on France for their jobs left, some merchants with ties to French companies left

Military Regime – a time to rebuild

War continued in Europe until 1762 Military rule was set up in NF until a peace

treaty in Europe could be signed They abolished the tithe (church tax) Military governors tried to help

w/reconstruction, and avoided interfering in the daily life of the people

New France had been destroyed by 6yrs of war, especially Quebec City, everything had to be rebuilt

Military Regime – General Murray

General Murray stayed helped in Quebec City

Ordered his troops to respect Catholic possessions

Met w/ native Huron allies to make agreements

Helped organize the harvest in order to stave off mass starvation

General Murray

Military Regime - Problems

Starvation throughout the colony was a major concern

Also trouble with Natives in the west led by Pontiac

They felt that British trade practices were unfair and didn’t like whites moving on to their land

They attacked traders in Great Lake region – 2000 settlers killed

A treaty signed in 1766 with the western natives

Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa

Pontiac's War was the most successful First Nations resistance to the European invasion in our history. Though it failed to oust the British from native lands, the conflict forced British authorities to a recognition of native rights that has had had far-reaching consequences down to our own time.

The Effects of the Conquest

English Canadians still believe the Conquest was good for Canada

French Canadiens see it as negative – French regime was the “Golden Age”

Conquest seen by many as roots of the problems of modern Quebec – a reason for nationalism

It was because of the conquest that ties to France were cut, the Bourgeoisie left (no longer added to French economy) – French Canadiens no longer dominated economy

An example of economic changes – the fur trade

Many French merchants returned to France (the bourgeoisie)

English and Scottish merchants came to NA – took up the roles of Fre. merchants in the fur trade

Fur trade increased in prosperity after conquest

Many made money

James McGill James McGill 1744 - 1813 Fur trader. Born in Glasgow,

and educated at the University of Glasgow. He emigrated to Canada (1765) and made a fortune in the fur trade of the north-west territories. He left £10,000 (aprx. $20, 000) and one of his estates to found McGill University in Montreal (1821).

The Royal Proclamation

The Royal Proclamation

Treaty of Paris (1763) ended Seven Years War in Europe – New France officially became part of the British empire

In 1763, an official announcement (a proclamation) was issued – called Royal Proclamation:

It created Quebec (much smaller then NF) All the land west was “Indian Territory” (no one

allowed to settle) Set up a civilian government to replace military

rule Established English criminal and civil law

Royal Proclamation-Structure of Government

King Held absolute power Appointed the governor

Governor Looked after affairs of the colony Appointed members of the executive council

Executive Council Advise the governor on affairs of the colony

Elected Assembly Was not formed because of problems with the Test Act

Changes in Territory

Royal Proclamation continued

First governor of Quebec was General Murray (1760-66)

Goal of the Proclamation - assimilation of the Fre., Murray’s duty to carry this out

He was instructed to establish Eng. Laws and Anglican Church, use English schools to assimilate young French, encourage British immigration (immigration from France no longer allowed)

Royal Proclamation - Problems

most people lived in rural areas and had no contact with the British, so no way for them to assimilate

Major problem with Test Act (1763): this act required that people who held public office belong to Anglican Church – French Catholics couldn’t hold office or be in elected assembly

Royal Proclamation – Murray’s Solutions

Murray realized it was impossible to carry out Royal Proclamation – instead tried to win over Fre.

He didn’t form elected assembly right away – realized the problem with Test Act and knew an Elected Assembly would anger Fre.

Instead, he ruled through the Council Council was helpful to the Fre. He allowed Fre. Civil laws, but Eng. Criminal

ones He helped Catholicism survive (let most religious

orders remain and allowed new Bishop)

Murray’s End

Murray’s actions were smart, but Eng. Traders demanded he be replaced

Sir Guy Carleton replaced him in 1766 However, Carleton continued Murray’s

policies

Sir Guy Carleton & the Quebec Act

Sir Guy Carleton

“Barring a catastrophe shocking to think of, this country must, to the end of time, be peopled by the Canadien race.”

-Sir Guy Carleton

Troubles in British North America

The British were facing problems in the Thirteen Colonies and Quebec

English merchants wanted Royal Proclamation to be enforced: English laws, elected assembly

Governor, clergy, seigneurs (those supporting the French) wanted concessions: French laws, acceptance of Catholicism, French in government office, larger territory

Carleton recommended these concessions to keep Fre. loyal in case of war in Thirteen Colonies-result is the Quebec Act

The Quebec Act of 1774

Quebec Act repealed Royal Proclamation Quebec is tripled in size (to south of Great Lakes

into Ohio Valley-good for fur trade) Catholicism protected, tithe collection restored French civil laws, English criminal Seigneurial rights respected No elected assembly, governor has a Legislative

Council to advise him Oath to the King replaces Test Act-Catholics can

hold public office

Changes in Territory

Changes in Territory – The American View

Americans were angry about the expansion of Quebec. This land had been reserved as an “Indian Territory”, but the Americans had wanted it. They were unhappy when Quebec was granted this valuable land.

Reactions to the Quebec Act

English merchants angry – too many concession to Fre.

Fre. elite (seigneurs) happy – regained their rights

Habitants are indifferent – however, upset about tithe

Inhabitants of Thirteen Colonies angry – lost territory on Ohio Valley, considered gov’t system undemocratic, object to acceptance of Fre. laws and Catholicism