The New History of the Canadian Rebellion, 1837-38: New Directions, New Interpretations, New Framework

Abstract

In Canada, the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38 is often still treated as a local, ethnolinguistic conflict pitting French-speakers against English-speakers. However, new research, and publications have challenged conventional narratives and have pushed historiography into exciting new directions. This article proposes an analysis of the new history of the Canadian Rebellion. It will analyse some of the most interesting and cutting-edge new directions, interpretations, and methods of this historiographical framework. It will, amongst other things, demonstrate that this new history of the Rebellion challenged the conventional white-settler narrative, bringing to light new perspectives, those of marginalized and racialized populations. It will also demonstrate that by taking the Rebellion beyond the constraints of provincial and national borders, this new history of the Rebellion has demonstrated that it had significant transnational implications, particularly in the United States.