Glossary
Here you can find important terms found throughout the website that will help you to better understand the "Roots to Rebellion".
Abolitionist
A name given to a person who wants to stop slavery.​
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Act Against Slavery (1793 Act)
(“An Act to Prevent the further Introduction of Slaves and to limit the Term of Contracts for Servitude”) An Act introduced by lieutenant governor of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe that limited the importation of slaves in the British colonies.
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Coloured Corps
A group of Black militiamen created in Upper Canada. This group of men were often made up of fugitive men who were loyal to the Crown (see Loyalists). They fought against the rebels during the War of 1812 and against the rebels during the Rebellion of 1837.
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Conductors
A nickname given to abolitionists who helped runaway enslaved peoples by guiding them to freedom in the Underground Railroad.
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Don Bridge
A bridge near Montgomery’s Tavern. During the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, Mackenzie sent his rebels to destroy this bridge to prevent the government militia from entering the Montgomery Tavern.
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Durham Report
A report written by John George Lambton, also known as Lord Durham, in 1839. He was responsible for creating a report for the British Parliament in order to find out what had caused the Rebellions to start. The report led to serious changes within the British colonies, which inevitably caused Canada’s independence from Britain.
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Family Compact
A nickname given to the government ruling Upper Canada during the early to mid 1800s. They were very conservative and loyal to the Crown.
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Lower Canada
What is known today as Quebec. From 1791 to 1840, it was a British colony. Lower Canada was the location of the Rebellions of 1837-1838 in which Louis-Joseph Papineau led his Patriotes to fight against the British government.
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Loyalists
The name given to individuals who supported the British Empire. They fought against the reformers and rebels during the 1837 Rebellion.
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Montgomery's Tavern
The headquarters of William Lyon Mackenzie, the leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837. This was also where the Upper Canada Rebellion took place. The location is found in present day Toronto. (To learn more about Montgomery’s Tavern, click here.)
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North Star
(also known as “Polaris”) played a significant role in the Underground Railroad. Many escaped peoples used the North Star in the Underground Railroad to help them navigate up north in in order to reach safety. (If you want to learn more about the North Star, check out our game!)
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Passengers
Also known as "cargo", "fleece" or "freight". The enslaved people travelling the Underground Railroad.
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Rebel
A group of individuals who didn’t agree with the British government. They wished for a more liberal government. They fought for independence and equality during the Rebellion of 1837.
S
Stationmasters
A code word used in the Underground Railroad. It was a nickname used for people who hid enslaved peoples.
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Stations
(also known as “Safe Houses”) A code word used in the Underground Railroad. A shelter for the runaway enslaved peoples.
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Stockholders
People who donated money and/or supplies to aid the journey along the Underground Railroad.
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Terminals
Cities and towns that Stations were located in for the Underground Railroad.
Ticket Agents
People who created safe trips and made travel arrangements along the Underground Railroad.
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Tracks
Or lines, the routes to the Northern States and Canada set by abolitionists.
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Toronto Gaol
(pronounced “jail”) The Toronto Gaol, also known as the “King Street Gaol” was built in 1798 and was Toronto’s first jail. A second jail replaced the original building in 1824. The rebels were executed in the second jail.
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U
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Underground Railroad
(can be shortened to “UGRR”) it was not a real railroad. It was a secret network and pathway to freedom for enslaved people in the United States. It began in the 1790s, but was at its height between the 1840s.
Upper Canada
What is known today as Ontario. From 1791 to 1840, it was ruled by the British Empire. During the 1800s, the government was led by the “Family Compact” and was eventually the location in which the Rebellion of 1837 took place, led by William Lyon Mackenzie.​
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