Land, Power, and Economics on the Frontier of Upper CanadaThe prevailing ideology in Ontario at the time was a conservative culture that rejected everything American and attempted to preserve the best of the British world in the new Eden. Those building the state believed that a social and political hierarchy composed of those possessing a "natural virtue" would serve society best. In consequence, a few individuals at the top of the hierarchy, through their access to power, came to control the bulk of the land, the basis of the economy. At the other end of the spectrum from the elite were those transforming the land and themselves through their own labour. How did the physical environment and government land policy affect the pattern of settlement and the choice of land for a viable farm? What was the price of land, and how common was credit? Did the presence of reserved lands hinder or promote development? How extensive was land speculation and how did it operate? Clark brings these issues and more to the forefront, integrating concepts and substantive issues through a problem-oriented approach. Blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, he weaves together surveyors' records, personal and government correspondence, assessment rolls, and land records to measure the pulse of this pre-industrial society. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 90
Page i
... society are shown to have been built on contemporary visions of the cosmos. John Clarke examines the actions of individuals from the perspective of the political culture and its manifestations, doing so within the constraints of ...
... society are shown to have been built on contemporary visions of the cosmos. John Clarke examines the actions of individuals from the perspective of the political culture and its manifestations, doing so within the constraints of ...
Page ii
... society, economy, geography, and related subjects. It includes important new works as well as reprints of classics in the fields. The editorial committee welcomes manuscript and suggestions, which should be sent to the dean of Graduate ...
... society, economy, geography, and related subjects. It includes important new works as well as reprints of classics in the fields. The editorial committee welcomes manuscript and suggestions, which should be sent to the dean of Graduate ...
Page xxxii
... society and as the recipients of a “natural” and due reward for their service. It is also possible to conceive of them in Thompsonian terms as predators and the state as their object of prey. This perspective has received less attention ...
... society and as the recipients of a “natural” and due reward for their service. It is also possible to conceive of them in Thompsonian terms as predators and the state as their object of prey. This perspective has received less attention ...
Page xxxiv
... society which required human and animal muscle and required of individuals certain basic skills. So strong is the myth, largely justified, that this was and is the “best poor-man's country” that it has generated an amnesia about the ...
... society which required human and animal muscle and required of individuals certain basic skills. So strong is the myth, largely justified, that this was and is the “best poor-man's country” that it has generated an amnesia about the ...
Page 3
... society assumed a more collective form to handle the problem) must have seemed formidable barriers to settlement.6 Figure 1.1 Nothing illustrates this better than comparison of figures 3 Chapter Title The Land Revealed: The Physical ...
... society assumed a more collective form to handle the problem) must have seemed formidable barriers to settlement.6 Figure 1.1 Nothing illustrates this better than comparison of figures 3 Chapter Title The Land Revealed: The Physical ...
Contents
3 | |
2 | 8 |
Acquiring Indian Land in the | 94 |
European Land Acquisition after the First | 155 |
Sales in Essex | 208 |
The Upper Canadian | 264 |
12 | 277 |
Who Were the Speculators and How Extensive | 295 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abstract acquired acquisition acreage acres American Anderdon Township appear average Baby British Canadian cent claims Clarke clear clergy reserves Company continued Council Crown Crown land deeds Detroit developed District Essex County established Executive fact Family Compact Figure given Governor grants Hands held holdings Ibid important included Indian individuals interest issued James James Baby John Askin Land Board land prices less lots Major Malden McKee McNiff mean ment merchant Michigan mortgages nature obtained officers Ontario particular patent perhaps period political Powell purchase received records reported reserves respect Sandwich secure settlement settlers shillings shows Smith society sold sought Source species speculators statistics survey surveyor Table Thomas tion townships transactions Upper Canada Western