Chapter Fourteen: The Union of the Canadas: Political Developments, 1840-1864

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Question 1
Which of the statements below is not true?
a. Although the Act of Union united Upper and Lower Canadas politically, each remained economically autonomous.
b. The Act of Union made Upper Canada's debt the responsibility of the united province.
c. The elective Assembly had an equal number of representatives from both halves of the colony.
d. After the union, English became the sole official language of parliamentary documents.

Question 2
Who worked tirelessly to exclude French speakers from the United Canada's first legislature?
a. Allan MacNab
b. Lord Durham
c. Lord Sydenham (a.k.a. Charles Poulett Thomson)
d. Francis Hinks

Question 3
In the early 1840s, which party saw itself more as the embodiment of society's best elements rather than a political party?
a. the Parti bleu
b. the Reform party
c. the Tories
d. all of the above

Question 4
In responsible government under Bagot,
a. the Executive Council could remain in office only as long as it had the Legislative Assembly's support.
b. the governor had no control whatsoever over the makeup of the Executive Council.
c. the Legislative Council was abolished.
d. the governor became an elected official.

Question 5
The Act of Union
a. established a small budget for the payment of annuities to Native residents for earlier land surrenders.
b. established a system of reserves and residential schools.
c. did not make any provision for Native peoples.
d. annulled all previous land treaties.

Question 6
What event took place on April 25, 1849?
a. The Rebellion Losses Act was revoked.
b. The Parliament building in Montreal was burned.
c. The Toronto Annexation Association was formed.
d. Lord Elgin became governor general.

Question 7
In French Canada, the annexation movement
a. was not popular.
b. enjoyed great popularity among the conservatives.
c. was somewhat popular among the Roman Catholic clergy.
d. was short-lived but extremely popular.

Question 8
Which of the following did the Clear Grits not support?
a. advancement of business interests in Montreal
b. representation by population
c. promotion of agrarian democracy
d. a greater number of seats in legislature for Canada West

Question 9
What was the main goal of the double majority principle?
a. Those legislature members who were also business owners could vote twice on business-related issues, so that both Canadas maintained a strong economy.
b. Since any piece of legislation had to be approved twice by a majority of representatives from both colonies, in votes taken at least 30 days apart, this system ensured that representatives voted according to their conscience, not along party lines.
c. Controversial legislation could not be imposed upon one section of the colony by a majority composed largely of the members from the other.
d. Double majority put a check on representation by population, which favoured Canada West because of its greater population.

Question 10
Why did the Cartier-Macdonald ministry resign in 1862?
a. It refused to move to Bytown, the new capital.
b. It failed to survive a vote of confidence.
c. John A. Macdonald was unable to continue his duties as a result of his escalating alcoholism.
d. Its Militia Bill was defeated.

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