Français  Contact Us  Help  Search  Canada Site Volume 1 (1000–1754) Volume 2 (1755-1871) Volume 3 (1872–2000) CHAPTER 1 The Conquest CHAPTER 2 The Revolt of Pontiac and the American Invasion CHAPTER 3 The Coveted Pacific Coast CHAPTER 4 The Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 CHAPTER 5 Demobilization A Time For Defence Cuts The American Threat The Great Fortifications Huge Expenses! The Great Lakes - Neutral Territory Annual Review of the Upper Canadian Militia The Militia of Lower Canada Demobilization of the French-Canadian Militia Political Confrontation and Secret Societies The 1837 Lower Canada Rebellion Saint-Denis and Saint-Charles Saint-Eustache The Horrors of War The Upper Canada Rebellion New Preparations Start of the 1838 Rebellions Napierville The Invasion of Upper Canada The Legacy of the Rebellions The Aroostook War Canadian Politics and British Withdrawal Reorganization of the Militia The 1855 Volunteers In the Maritimes CHAPTER 6 The Royal Navy, Ruler of the Seas CHAPTER 7 A Decade of Turbulence APPENDIX A The British Armed Forces APPENDIX B Daily Life of Soldiers and Officers APPENDIX C Uniforms and Arms APPENDIX D Reference      CHAPTER 5 Demobilization           Canadian Politics and British Withdrawal ( 2 pages )           1 2      A Shift in Thinking                Private Charles Traveller, 70th (the Surrey) Regiment of Foot, 1841. (Click image to enlarge) During 1840 and 1841 the separate colonies of Upper and Lower Canada were eliminated and the Province of Canada was established.  It nevertheless remained divided into Canada East and Canada West, corresponding to the present provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Nevertheless, the political situation in British North America remained tense and confused.  In London, serious questions were being asked about whether the Province of Canada was defensible without the support of a significant proportion of its inhabitants.  The Duke of Wellington realized that it was impossible for Great Britain to effectively defend the people under his control.  His view was that if the North American colonies could not vigorously defend themselves in the event of an attack it would be wiser, more beneficial and fairer 106 to evacuate the British garrison and to let them negotiate their own arrangements with the Americans! Although it would have been unthinkable only a few years earlier, the idea of leaving Canada, which was put forward by the commander-in-chief of the army, was attractive to many Britons.  Canada was no longer a strategic location and it cost at least twice at much as it raised in taxes.  Great Britain changed its policy accordingly and began to disentangle itself from the defence of the Province of Canada.           Additional Images           Click image to enlarge      1 2   Last Updated: 2004-06-20 Important Notices