What Is The Cause Of Durham's Rebellions?

John Lambton, Earl of Durham, was appointed Governor in Chief of the Canadas, sent to investigate the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada in the spring of 1838. Both rebellions had occurred in the previous year of 1837, and were led by Louis-Joseph Papineau (Lower Canada Rebellion) and William Lyon Mackenzie (Upper Canada Rebellion). Britain realizing that change was in order to be able to successfully administer the colonies, delegated Durham with finding the source of the conflict that had led to the revolt. He instead found "two nations warring within the bosom of a single state". Durham first travelled to the United States, so that the rebels who had been operating from the northern states would not have their support any further. Instead of giving the penalty of death to rebels, his treatment of the rebels was very forgiving, absolving many of them of their crimes.
Soon he realized that there was little point in staying as Governor, as all of his actions were overturned. Returning to Britain, he completed his report on the Canada’s, showing his insight on the situation. In the report, Durham recommends that both of the colonies should be joined and that a responsible government should be appointed, which would be controlled by the English. Even though Durham suggested responsible government for the colonies, he did not propose full independence. The new government would only have control of internal affairs, while Britain would still have power over foreign affairs and military. Durham's goal was to overpower the current numbers of French Canadians by joining the colonies, giving the British Canadians an advantage in population and assimilating the French into British