The Conquest Military Regime and the Royal Proclamation
Dec 17, 2015
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 Montreal Had been under siege In 1760, the French at Montreal 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 with
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 to help in Quebec City
Ordered his troops to respect Catholic possessions
Met with 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 expel 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 North America – took up the roles of French 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 New France) 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 French, Murray’s duty to carry this out
He was instructed to establish English 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 the French.
He did not form elected assembly right away – realized the problem with Test Act and knew an Elected Assembly would anger French.
Instead, he ruled through the Council Council was helpful to the French. He allowed French Civil laws, but English Criminal
ones He helped Catholicism survive (let most religious
orders remain and allowed new Bishop)
Murray’s End
Murray’s actions were smart, but English 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 French loyal in case of war in Thirteen Colonies-result is the Quebec Act
The Quebec Act of 1774
Quebec Act repealed theRoyal 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 French.
French elite (seigneurs) happy – regained their rights
Habitants are indifferent – however, upset about tithe
Inhabitants of Thirteen Colonies angry – lost territory on Ohio Valley, considered government system undemocratic, object to acceptance of French laws and Catholicism