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THE LEGISLATURE AND EARLY LEGISLATION IN UPPER CANADA

History is what human beings did, thought, suffered and enjoyed and gives us the benefit of hard-won experience from the past.

Review Questions

Vocabulary: derelict, whip-saw, temerity, derogatory, pillory, felony, adjutant, canopy, divergence, gridlock, insurrection, philippics, guillotined, regicide,compromise, patronage,

1. (a) Where did the power lie in the first legislature of Upper Canada? Justify your answer.

2. What was Governor Simcoe's attitude towards the Assembly?

3. Give several reasons why it was difficult to "make a House."

4. Why was it necessary in Upper Canada's legislature to have so many committee meetings?

5. What were the first bills enacted by the Legislature? Explain why they were considered so important.

6. What military threat endangered the existence of Upper Canada? Why?

7. Explain why gridlock occurred in the legislature and how it resolved?

8. Simcoe wanted local officials appointed. Why? Why did the Assembly disagree?

9. Why was legislation passed which prevented American settlers from participating in the political life of the province until they had been in the province for seven years?

10. Why were Cartwright and Hamilton described as the beginnings of the first opposition party?

11. What do a parking lot, pavement and the cradle of democracy have in common?

12. Define: aristocracy and democracy. Why do you think members of the Legislative Council considered themselves aristocratic. while the Assembly members tended to be more democratic?

13. Briefly summarize the main theme and the important details of this narrative.

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