HISTORY

THE CARROT AND THE STICK

 
There were differing views on how to treat the Canadiens in the new British colony of Quebec.

 
ln 1763, after they defeated the French, there were two points of view about how the British should treat the Canadians-the "stick'' .approach and the "carrot" approach. They could treat them harshly, which would show them that British were in control. Or, they could treat them with understanding, hoping to eventually win their 'Support.

Earl of Shelburne, Colonial Secretary believed in the stick approach. He thought that Britain should

•       Restricted the Roman Catholic religion

·         Return all French government and church officials to France

·         Prevent Roman Catholics from being involved in the government or legal system

·         Give British merchants control of the Fur trade

·         Restrict the territory of Quebec to a small area

 

Supporters of this approach believed that it would force the Canadiens to give up their French ways. In time the Canadiens descendants would become just like the British, so they would pose no threat to British control of Quebec.

 

 

 

Governor of Quebec , Sir James Murray favoured the carrot approach. He believed 

He admired the Canadiens and felt that they would support the British if they were treated fairly. He also realized that the French outnumbered the British and could win if they rebelled. So he favored

·         Allowing roman Catholics to practice their religion freely

·         Allowing Roman Catholics as well as Protestants to become involved in the government of Quebec (In Brittan, only Protestants could take part in the government, in France, only Catholics could.)

·         Allowing French merchants to continue their involvement in the fur trade

·         Allowing the Canadiens into the interior while guaranteeing some territory to the First Nations peoples

Murray and his successors, Sir Guy Carleton, sent many letters to London recommending the “carrot” approach.