Rebel With A Cause .... William Lyon Mackenzie .... Fighter For Canadian Democracy & Political Liberty
.... William Lyon Mackenzie (March 12, 1795 - August 28, 1861) was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist and politician. His strong views on political equality and clean government drove him to outright rebellion in 1837 after a career as mayor of Toronto and in the colonial legislative assembly of Upper Canada (Ontario). Mackenzie immigrated to Canada in 1820, he settled in York, Upper Canada, what is now called Toronto, Ontario. It is here he worked as a journalist, whose political ideas brought conflicting notoriety to him. This short stature, out spoken, opinionated, fiery tempered man, got his political ideas across through his publications. In May 1824 William Lyon Mackenzie published the first edition of 'The Colonial Advocate'. Politics was his passion and Mackenzie, who fervently believed in an "unfettered press," used the Colonial Advocate to denounce the leading denizens of society and to urge his readers to press for a more representative form of government. Always a crusader for democracy over autocracy, Mackenzie championed the cause of the common man and woman and the struggle of the many against the few. Mackenzie believed in a democratic government that was elected and responsible to the people they represent.
Mackenzie's written outspoken attacks on the ruling class brought retaliation against him. There were libel suits, threats and physical attacks. In 1826 opponents destroyed his printing press and threw the type into Lake Ontario.
In 1834 William Lyon Mackenzie was elected Toronto's first Mayor. In 1837, Mackenzie organized his followers to march against the tyrannical Toronto oligarchy and overthrow the government, known as the Rebellion of 1837. His objective was to free aggrieved farmers from the yoke of autocratic rule, but the mismanaged marchers were unsuccessful and Mackenzie was forced to flee to the United States. Although he failed in his attempt to start a revolution in the colony, the results stunned the British Government who were finally moved to action and dispatched a representative to Canada to look into all of the issues.
Mackenzie spent 10 years in exile in the United States and only returned to Canada in 1849 when he was granted a pardon. He quickly resumed his political career, but by this time reform had been initiated and government had become responsible and much more representative. He finally retired in 1857 and resigned his seat in 1858 because of ill health. Mackenzie saw many of the goals he had worked for either achieved or within reach of being achieved. After his death in 1861, he became a symbol to the cause of Canadian political liberty & democracy ....
Rebel With A Cause .... William Lyon Mackenzie .... Fighter For Canadian Democracy & Political Liberty
.... William Lyon Mackenzie (March 12, 1795 - August 28, 1861) was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist and politician. His strong views on political equality and clean government drove him to outright rebellion in 1837 after a career as mayor of Toronto and in the colonial legislative assembly of Upper Canada (Ontario). Mackenzie immigrated to Canada in 1820, he settled in York, Upper Canada, what is now called Toronto, Ontario. It is here he worked as a journalist, whose political ideas brought conflicting notoriety to him. This short stature, out spoken, opinionated, fiery tempered man, got his political ideas across through his publications. In May 1824 William Lyon Mackenzie published the first edition of 'The Colonial Advocate'. Politics was his passion and Mackenzie, who fervently believed in an "unfettered press," used the Colonial Advocate to denounce the leading denizens of society and to urge his readers to press for a more representative form of government. Always a crusader for democracy over autocracy, Mackenzie championed the cause of the common man and woman and the struggle of the many against the few. Mackenzie believed in a democratic government that was elected and responsible to the people they represent.
Mackenzie's written outspoken attacks on the ruling class brought retaliation against him. There were libel suits, threats and physical attacks. In 1826 opponents destroyed his printing press and threw the type into Lake Ontario.
In 1834 William Lyon Mackenzie was elected Toronto's first Mayor. In 1837, Mackenzie organized his followers to march against the tyrannical Toronto oligarchy and overthrow the government, known as the Rebellion of 1837. His objective was to free aggrieved farmers from the yoke of autocratic rule, but the mismanaged marchers were unsuccessful and Mackenzie was forced to flee to the United States. Although he failed in his attempt to start a revolution in the colony, the results stunned the British Government who were finally moved to action and dispatched a representative to Canada to look into all of the issues.
Mackenzie spent 10 years in exile in the United States and only returned to Canada in 1849 when he was granted a pardon. He quickly resumed his political career, but by this time reform had been initiated and government had become responsible and much more representative. He finally retired in 1857 and resigned his seat in 1858 because of ill health. Mackenzie saw many of the goals he had worked for either achieved or within reach of being achieved. After his death in 1861, he became a symbol to the cause of Canadian political liberty & democracy ....