Introduction

Brian J. Young, McGill University, 2003

The Rebellions of 1837-1838 were the most dramatic political event in Canadian history. Issues such the control of Canada's future and the rights of French Canadians and working people in Upper Canadian shops and in the countryside sparked debates that ended in violence. Men talked of republicanism and independence before taking up arms and shooting at soldiers and their neighbours. The rebellions were forcibly put down, their leaders were hanged or exiled, and the country was placed under martial law. The rebellions shook not only Upper and Lower Canada, but disturbed British authorities in the mother country, who began to worry about revolution in their most important colony.