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"1.In Lower Canada, the Château Clique blocked reform efforts and continued to work toward the assimilation of the French-speaking population.
2.In Upper Canada, the arrogance of the Family Compact offended many, and many blamed them for several financial scandals."
Canada in the Making, 2012, http://www.canadiana.ca/citm/themes/constitution/constitution8_e.html
Upper Canada
This group of Toronto (York) families controlled the government and all the important jobs in the colony.
"The beginning of the rebellion in Upper Canada followed a similar course to that of Lower Canada. At the time, [of the rebellion]a small group of people controlled the government of Upper Canada. Since many of these individuals were related, they came to be known as the Family Compact."
Douglas Baldwin, Rebellion and Union in the Canadas (Calgary: Weigl, 2003), 20
John Strachan, Leader of the Family Compact
"This depicts the Tree of Abuse, an unguarded reference to the Tory Compact [Family Compact] in Upper Canada. Published in the year preceding the 1837-38 rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada, the satirical verse below shows the mounting dissatisfaction with patronage and abuses of power by the church and the state":
We Sycophants, Magistrates, Clergy, and Jailors,
We Colonels and Captains, Clerks, Courtiers, and Tailors,
We Commissioners and Clerks of the Court of Requests,
"In this tree of abuse we have feathered our nests."
Upper Canada Almanack for the year 1837
Toronto: D. Dwyer, 1836
Early elections provided great entertainment for pioneer settlements.
An election continued for several days to allow enough time for everyone to vote. Wooden platforms were built in the largest villages and voters climbed onto the platform to shout out the name of the man they supported. Sometimes, party supporters fought to gain control of the platform to prevent the other side from voting. Many elections ended in wild brawls, precipitated by candidates who attempted to bribe voters with whisky."
Douglas Baldwin, Rebellion and Union in the Canadas (Calgary: Weigl, 2003), 20
