The Conquest of 1760 raised problems of coexistence between the Canadiens and the British, two peoples who differed in language, religion, and legal codes as well as in attitudes and customs. The Constitution Act [1791] attempted to provide a solution by splitting the colony into two parts, Upper Canada for the Loyalists (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec) for the Canadiens, allowing the two peoples to develop through representative institutions.

In the early 19th century, Etienne Parent became the first journalist to muse on the survival of the Canadien people.

The times were threatening for francophones in Lower Canada: a proposal for the union of the two Canadas jeopardized the rights acquired in 1791 as well as the use of French in the legislature. Parent used his pen to demand respect for the Constitution. The parliamentary system in Lower Canada allowed the Canadiens, who formed the majority, to pass laws in the Assembly, but the Governor, as head of the executive branch, had the power to veto legislation.