Protestant Liberty : Religion and the Making of Canadian Liberalism, 1828–1878

A fresh exploration of the nineteenth-century religious context that shaped the ideological foundations of Canada. This book offers a new interpretation of the origins and nature of 19th century liberalism by re-examining the role of religion in Canadian politics. Arguing that Canadian liberalism was rooted in the British tradition of Protestant Dissent, Forbes sheds light on the 19th century religious context that shaped the ideological foundations of Canada. "Tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism dominated politics in nineteenth-century Canada, occasionally erupting into violence. While some liberal politicians and community leaders believed that equal treatment of Protestants and Catholics would defuse these ancient quarrels, other Protestant liberals perceived a battle for the soul of the nation. Protestant Liberty offers a new interpretation of nineteenth-century liberalism by re-examining the role of religion in Canadian politics. While this era’s liberal thought has often been characterized as being neutral toward religion, James Forbes argues that the early origins of Canadian liberalism were firmly rooted in the British tradition of Protestantism and were based on the premise of guarding against the advance of supposedly illiberal faiths, especially Catholicism. After the union of Upper Canada with the predominantly French-Catholic Lower Canada in 1840, this Protestant ideal of liberty came into conflict with a more neutral alternative that sought to strip liberalism of its religious associations in order to appeal to Catholic voters and allies. In a decisive break from their Protestant heritage, these liberals redefined their ideology in secular-materialist terms by emphasizing free trade and private property over faith and culture. In tracing how the Confederation generation competed to establish a unifying vision for the nation, Protestant Liberty reveals how religion and religious differences were at the center of this story."-- Provided by publisher Tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism dominated politics in nineteenth-century Canada, occasionally erupting into violence. While some liberal politicians and community leaders believed that equal treatment of Protestants and Catholics would defuse these ancient quarrels, other Protestant liberals perceived a battle for the soul of the nation. Protestant Liberty offers a new interpretation of nineteenth-century liberalism by re-examining the role of religion in Canadian politics. While this era's liberal thought is often characterized as being neutral toward religion, James Forbes argues that the origins of Canadian liberalism were firmly rooted in the British tradition of Protestantism and were based on the premise of guarding against the advance of supposedly illiberal faiths, especially Catholicism. After the union of Upper Canada with predominantly French-Catholic Lower Canada in 1840, this Protestant ideal of liberty came into conflict with a more neutral alternative that sought to strip liberalism of its religious associations in order to appeal to Catholic voters and allies. In a decisive break from their Protestant heritage, these liberals redefined their ideology in secular-materialist terms by emphasizing free trade and private property over faith and culture. In tracing how the Confederation generation competed to establish a unifying vision for the nation, Protestant Liberty reveals religion and religious differences at the centre of this story. Cover 1 Protestant Liberty 2 Title 8 Copyright 9 Dedication 10 Contents 12 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction: These Ancient Feuds 18 1 Revolt against Wicked Rulers: The Rise of Reform, 1828–1837 42 2 Judgment upon Babylon: The Early Union Period, 1838–1848 72 3 Baneful Domination: The Later Union Period, 1849–1859 99 4 Under the Red Cross: The Confederation Era, 1860–1869 132 5 Truckling to Rome: The Early National Period, 1870–1878 172 Conclusion: A Mere Community of Profit 212 Appendix A: Religious Demographics of Upper Canada / Ontario, 1842–1881 234 Appendix B: Election Results for United Province of Canada, 1848–1863 235 Notes 236 Index 292