Historical Development Of The Law In Canada

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Legal history is closely linked with understanding the law. It outlines how history has caused the law to change and evolve over time as well as seeing the law as a pragmatic response to emergencies, power struggle and changing notions of the public good. Prime examples of how legal history is relevant to understanding the law is the Royal proclamation in 1763 issued by King George III, the Quebec Act in 1774. As well as the Norman Conquest which established the feudal system. These historical events all greatly outline the historical development of the law in Canada.

The Royal Proclamation issued by King George III in 1763 is important in the development of the historical law in Canada. It was issued by King George III after Great Britain acquired all of what originally was considered to be French territory in North America. The purpose of this proclamation was to organize the colonies, to stabilize relations with the Aboriginal people and to change the lives of Aboriginals for the better because of the rights they were granted. The Royal Proclamation is a historical event that affected the development of the law in Canada because it states important Aboriginal rights such as …show more content…

It gave political rights and religious freedom to the French Canadians who were Roman Catholic. The Quebec Act retained British criminal law but guaranteed the use of French Civil law in combination with the English criminal law in Quebec. With this act it maintained the position of clergy and seigneurs as well as giving the French Canadians complete religious freedom. The Act enlarged the territory of Quebec to include the Indian reserve on the western lands. Overall, the Quebec Act a statue of British Parliament gave legal recognition to the French law and customs in Quebec which strengthened the French-Canadian identity and showcased how history has caused the law to change and evolve over