Special Collection: Canadian Political and Constitutional History
The Encyclopedia of Canada provides a succinct overview of the political and constitutional history of Canada.
Here we present books in Faded Page that address that history in both broad scope and fine detail. Some are collected volumes of larger encyclopedic series. Others are individual works focussing on specific events in Canadian history, listed by year of publication.
Collected Works
Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada 1759-1791 A collection of significant documents in Canadian constitutional history, including treaties, acts, petitions, and correspondence between British governmental officials. |
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Lord Durham's Report on the Affairs of British North America In 1838 Lord Durham was appointed the Governor General of Upper and Lower Canada to seek solutions to the social unrest plaguing these colonies. |
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Canada and its Provinces: A History of the Canadian People and their Institutions by One Hundred Associates. 23 Volumes. A comprehensive study of Canadian historical and political development from the arrival of Europeans to the onset of World War I. |
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The Chronicles of Canada. 32 Volumes. The principal events and movements in Canada, from the Norse Voyages to the Railway Builders. |
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Makers of Canada Series |
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Count Frontenac His rôle as governor general of New France, twice between 1672 and 1698, in established New France. |
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Mackenzie, Baldwin, Lafontaine, Hincks Their rôle in the establishment of the Reform Party and its government ministry in pre-Confederation Canada. |
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Papineau, Cartier Papineau’s political career as leader of the early 19th Century Quebec nationalists. Cartier’s political career from the uprising of 1837 to Confederation. |
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John Graves Simcoe The first lieutenant-governor of the new British colony of Upper Canada. |
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Baldwin-Lafontaine-Hincks, Responsible Government A history of the two governments of the United Province of Canada formed by Robert Baldwin (1804-1858), and Louis-Philippe La Fontaine (1807-1864), which, with the support of Sir Francis Hincks (1807-1885) encouraged the evolution of Canada from a military colony to a representative democracy. |
Individual Works
Les Français libres à leurs frères les Canadiens Un appel à l'insurrection. |
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The seventh report from the Select Committee of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada on grievances Details the problems in Upper Canada that were causing social grief, leading to the Rebellion of 1837. |
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A Narrative Written by the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada to justify his actions during the Rebellion of 1837. |
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Critical Review of Sir Francis Head’s Narrative and of Lord Durham’s Report An extended essay, written from a monarchical perspective, that sympathetically summarizes Sir Francis' Narrative while making a caustic attack on the policies and actions of the Colonial Office. |
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The Life and Times of Wm. Lyon Mackenzie, with an account of the Canadian Rebellion of 1837. The life of a Scottish-born Canadian-American journalist and politician whose strong views on political equality and clean government drove him to lead a rebellion. |
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The Dominion of Canada An historical sketch of the state of Canada as it approached Confederation. |
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Guide to counting marked ballots at elections for the House of Commons Instructions on how to administer the novel electoral technique of secret ballots. |
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Are Legislatures Parliament? A Study and Review An examination of the extent of the powers of the legislatures of Canada prior to Confederation. |
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The Story of the Upper Canadian Rebellion A detailed recounting of the events leading to and during the rebellion. |
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Bilingualism: Address delivered before the Quebec Canadian Club Addresses the issues of language rivalry in Quebec. |
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Sir Wilfrid Laurier Anecdotes that illustrate Laurier’s life. |
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Life and Letters of Sir Wilfrid Laurier |
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Laurier: A Study in Canadian Politics Laurier’s political history. |
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The Making of a Premier: An Outline of the Life Story of the Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, G. M. G. Introduces the young Prime Minister to the Canadian public. |
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The Life of John Graves Simcoe A biography of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. |
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The Persons Case Henrietta Muir Edwards and others (Appeal No. 121 of 1928) v The Attorney General of Canada (Canada) [1929] UKPC 86 (18 October 1929) A Canadian constitutional case that decided in 1929 that women were eligible to sit in the Senate of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not “qualified persons” and thus ineligible to sit in the Senate. The Judicial Committee of the Imperial Privy Council in London interpreted the law more broadly, that Canadian women were eligible to be appointed senators and also established that the Canadian constitution should be interpreted in a way that was more consistent with the needs of society. Original judgement |
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The Canadian Scene, 1880-1890 Discusses life and politics in late 19th century Canada. |
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