Colonial era and Confederation Republicanism in Canada

reformists began emerge in canadian colonies during 19th century , 2 decades century had begun cohere organized groups, such upper canada central political union. idea of political party viewed number of british north americans innovation of united states, being anti-british , of republican tendency. colonists warned few individuals, unfortunately, led those, hostility british constitution such, sacrifice , every thing pull down, in order might build republic on ruins. believed persons agitating republican change , supporters of american origin , had been taught admire republican government best in world , ridicule monarchism.

william lyon mackenzie, founder of republic of canada, , later advocate of canadian annexation united states

the first open uprisings in canada against monarchical system came in 1837, lower canada rebellion—led louis joseph papineau , parti patriote—and upper canada rebellion—led william lyon mackenzie. though main motives more representative government in respective colonies, mackenzie inspired american model , wished establish same in canada. papineau expressed loyalty crown in ninety-two resolutions, turned when british parliament instead adopted earl russell s ten resolutions, ignored 92 of requests parti patriote. colonists, however, did not espouse break crown , rebellions failed. mackenzie fled toronto 200 supporters , established, of american sympathizers, short-lived , never recognized republic of canada on navy island, while papineau , other insurgents fled united states , proclaimed republic of lower canada.

after living in in order avoid arrest in canada, mackenzie became dissatisfied american republican system , gave plans revolution in british north american provinces, though theorized, near end of life, on canadian annexation united states, should enough people in former country become disillusioned responsible government. similarly, 1849, papineau advocating absorption of province of canada (formed in 1840) american republic south. echoed significant minority of conservatives in upper canada critiqued canada s imitation of british parliamentary constitutional monarchy both democratic , tyrannical, theorizing simultaneously destroyed independence of appointed governor , legislative council , further concentrated power in cabinet. instead, these republican conservatives preferred american federal-state system , constitution, seeing american model of checks , balances offering canada more fair , conservative form of democracy. debated constitutional changes included elected governor, elected legislative council, , possible union us, within republican framework.

louis riel, president of provisional government of red river

some decades later, in 1869, rebellion in red river area of rupert s land erupted under leadership of louis riel, established in red river settlement provisional government under john bruce president, intent of negotiating provincial relationship federal government of canada. negotiations proceeded, riel elected president provisional government s council. delegation ottawa successful in having federal crown-in-council in 1870 found province of manitoba same parliamentary constitutional monarchy existed in other provinces.