The Intellectual Development of the Canadian People: An Historical Review

A historical account written during the late 19th century. The work provides a comprehensive examination of the intellectual progress of Canada, focusing on the interplay between social, political, and educational changes from various historical periods. The author aims to illustrate how the Canadian populace has evolved mentally and culturally, emphasizing the influence of significant events and governance on the shaping of national consciousness. At the start of the book, Bourinot sets the stage by discussing the initial intellectual lethargy among the Canadian people under the French regime and the subsequent changes post-Conquest. He identifies three pivotal periods in Canadian history, elaborating on how the influx of new populations—especially loyalists during the American War of Independence—and the introduction of parliamentary institutions played crucial roles in stimulating a sense of identity and intellectual engagement. He touches upon the struggles for education and the democratic rights that followed, drawing connections between economic progress, political liberties, and the burgeoning of public discourse and education. The author aims to highlight a steady progress in the intellectual sphere of Canadian life, setting the foundation for deeper discussions in subsequent chapters.