Significance of Durham Report in British Colonial Relationships

How significant to the development of Britains relationship with its colonies was the Durham report? Lesson objective: To know the context of Durham s work in the Canadas Do now: Read an extract from the Durham report Identify 3 things that Lord Durham is suggesting. We are not now to consider the policy of establishing representative government in the North American Colonies. That has been permanently done; and the experiment of depriving the people of their present constitutional power, is not to be thought of. To conduct their Government harmoniously, in accordance with its established principles, is now the business of its rulers; and I know not how it is possible to secure that harmony in any other way, than by administering the Government on those principles which have been found perfectly efficient in the Great Britain. [ ] and if it has to carry on the Government in unison with a representative body, it must consent to carry it on by means of those in whom that representative body has confidence.

We are not now to consider the policy of establishing representative government in the North American Colonies. That has been permanently done; and the experiment of depriving the people of their present constitutional power, is not to be thought of. To conduct their Government harmoniously, in accordance with its established principles, is now the business of its rulers; and I know not how it is possible to secure that harmony in any other way, than by administering the Government on those principles which have been found perfectly efficient in the Great Britain. [ ] and if it has to carry on the Government in unison with a representative body, it must consent to carry it on by means of those in whom that representative body has confidence.

Task Watch the video on Lord Durham & his report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIz1hlHW85k

How does Lord Durham get involved?- Read pages 126 - 129 Background Whig inner circle son in law to Earl Grey Arrived on a white charger dressed in regalia of Knight of the Order of Bath a man might jog along very comfortably on 40,000 per annum Last of the Whig grandees aristocrats that had changed the social order and given middle classes more power Radical Jack whatever means necessary to pass the Reform Act Wanted household suffrage (opposed by Lord Melbourne) Asked to take on Canadian question when Gosford flounders, by the queen! Actions in Canada Achievements How far do you think that the British were genuinely concerned with solving the problems of the Canadas? Why do you think Durhams s idea of deporting political prisoners would be popular in Canada?

How does Lord Durham get involved? Background Whig inner circle son in law to Earl Grey Arrived on a white charger dressed in regalia of Knight of the Order of Bath a man might jog along very comfortably on 40,000 per annum Last of the Whig grandees aristocrats that had changed the social order and given middle classes more power Radical Jack whatever means necessary to pass the Reform Act Wanted household suffrage (opposed by Lord Melbourne) Asked to take on Canadian question when Gosford flounders, by the queen! Actions in Canada Met with Canadians, including the moderate reformers from Upper Canada, compiling evidence for his report. Remove the old executive council and their temporary replacement with his own staff. Ordered that all the depositions of the rebels be submitted to him for review Friendly contact with the government of the USA ISSUED PATROLS OF THE BORDER Issued a proclamation promising to work with all those who sought peaceful reform and asking for their cooperation Established Canada s first police force Aimed to improve the system of land tenure in lower Canada End the land giving to immigrants resolve tension Bermuda Pardoned and banished rebels to Achievements Stabilized the political situation temporarily Consulting widely and speedily with the populations and publically discounting the views of those who previously held executive power in a tight grip Effective high commissioner in the way that the previous incumbent Gosford, not endowed with the same sweeping powers, was unable to be. No danger of British power being unseated

What was the significance of his resignation? Not prepared to submit to censure from London over his sending political prisoners to Bermuda Annoyed with Melbourne s criticisms of his advisers Strong sense of betrayal Melbourne couldn t defend Durham s actions and risk the fall of his ministry Left the provinces stronger than they had been before, secure from rebellion Many Canadians willing to wait for his report rather than rebel

Task Read through the sections on Wakefield and Buller. Summarise their theories and main actions. How far do you think they influenced Lord Durham?

Theories Actions Influence Wakefield Butler

Task Complete the inference grid for the following source. Consider the following exam question Assess the value of the source for revealing the attitude of lord Durham to the British government's approaches of Canada from 1791 and to the changes in governance he proposed for the remaining North American colonies 20 marks

What is the source saying about Durhams attitude towards the British government approaches to Canada? It is not difficult to apply the case to our own country. Let it be imagined that at a general election the opposition were to return 500 out of 658 members of the House of Commons, and that the whole policy of the ministry should be condemned, and every Bill introduced by it, rejected by this immense majority. Let it be supposed that the Crown should consider it a point of honour and duty to retain a ministry so condemned and so thwarted [ ] and, I think, it will not be difficult to imagine the fate of such a system of government. Yet such was the system, such literally was the course of events in Lower Canada, and such in character, though not quite in degree, was the spectacle exhibited in Upper Canada, and, at one time or another, in every one of the North American Colonies. To suppose that such a system would work well there, implies a belief that the French Canadians have enjoyed representative institutions for half a century, without acquiring any of the characteristics of a free people; that Englishmen renounce every political opinion and feeling when they enter a colony, or that the spirit of Anglo-Saxon freedom is utterly changed and weakened among those who are transplanted across the Atlantic. I admit that the system which I propose would, in fact, place the internal government of the colony in the hands of the colonists themselves; and that we should thus leave to them the execution of the laws, of which we have long entrusted the making solely to them. Perfectly aware of the value of our colonial possessions I know not in what respect it can be desirable that we should interfere with their internal legislation in matters which do not affect their relations with the mother country. The matters, which so concern us, are very few. The constitution of the form of government, the regulation of foreign relations, and of trade with the mother country, the other British Colonies, and foreign nations, and the disposal of the public lands, are the only points on which the mother country requires a control. The British people of the North American Colonies are a people on whom we may safely rely, and to whom we must not grudge power. From Lord Durham s Report on the Affairs of British North America, published in February 1839 What is the source saying the changes Durham proposed?

Assess the value of the source for explaining the extent that Macquarie had transformed New South Wales to a imperial colony and the response of the British government Macquarie s successes The response by the British government Content Source/Quote Corroborate/ Context Challenge Provenance/ attributes Criteria/ Conclusion Judgement

Assess the value of the source for revealing the attitude of lord Durham to the British government's approaches of Canada from 1791 and to the changes in governance he proposed for the remaining North American colonies 20 marks Quote What does it say Own knowledge Accurate Enquiry one - attitude towards the British government The British control is preventing the colony from accomplishing British attitudes hypocritical British are perusing power but is not working French Canadian The Great Reform act was introduced in response to pressure Gosford mission showed British had no intention of reforming. Resistance was followed by increased military presence.. Martial law. Problems of lower Canada were result of French Canadians solution was to put them in minority position. Understood that the rebels in Canada were ethnically French Canadian. - Suggests he motivation is to ensure Britain still has power rather than support their rights. Enquiry two - changes Durham proposed Internal government of the colony in the hands of the colonists we must not grudge power. Wanted Legislative assembly would be elected, but the party with the majority would hold power Westminster Model Open to new intellectual arguments spoke with Canada reformers , promised to work with those who sought peaceful reform He developed the 19th century colonial policy Established Canada s police force and aimed to improve the system of land tenure in lower canada