Republic of Lower Canada

The Republic of Lower Canada was a break-away state proclaimed in the aftermath of the Rebellions of 1837–1838. The defeat of the rebellion meant that the state could never be properly established.

History

Origins

A British colony since 1763, Canada was divided into two distinct entities in 1791: Lower Canada, mainly inhabited by the descendants of the colonists of New France, and Upper Canada, mainly inhabited by British colonists. Lower and Upper Canada were frequently in tension with each other, which made governing difficult.

Declaration of independence and 1838 invasions

Robert Nelson declared himself the president of the republic and read the Declaration of Independence of Lower Canada in front of thousands of people cheering him along in Napierville.