English-Speaking Liberals in Canada East, 1840-1854

Between 1840 and 1854, the United Province of Canada experienced a fundamental political transformation: the emergence of party-based responsible government. During this period, the Liberal party in Canada East took form, achieved power, and disintegrated. The author argues that English-speaking Lower Canadian politicians were central to the achievement of the Liberal party in balancing French Canadian nationalism with the union with Upper Canada and with Canada's place within the British Empire. He points out that without any broad support from the mass of Lower Canadian Anglophones, these English-speaking politicians played a central part in determining the evolution of both party policy and structure. Moreover, the author examines these Anglophone Liberals as elements of Lower Canada's elite who found in political activity a means of establishing their social position. He examines their activities both within the party and within the social and economic institutions of Canada East.

PhD dissertation

University of Ottawa

Ottawa, ON

1986

vi-649p.

en