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{{short description|19th C. riots in Quebec, Canada}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2010}}

{{Infobox civilian attack
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Gavazzi riots
| title = Gavazzi Riots
| image = Emeutes Gavazzi Montreal 1853.jpg
| image = Emeutes Gavazzi Montreal 1853.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Engraving, Troops firing on the crowd, Gavazzi Riots, Montreal, QC, 1853, John Henry Walker (1831-1899)
| caption = Engraving, Troops firing on the crowd, Gavazzi Riots, Montreal, QC, 1853, John Henry Walker (1831-1899)
| location = [[Quebec City]], [[Montreal]]
| location = [[Quebec City]], [[Montreal]]
| target = Halls in which [[Alessandro Gavazzi]] was lecturing
| target = Halls in which [[Alessandro Gavazzi]] was lecturing
| coordinates = {{coord|46|48|43|N|71|12|18|W|display=inline}} {{Coord|45|30|4.1|N|73|33|42.7|W|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|46|48|43|N|71|12|18|W|display=inline}} {{Coord|45|30|4.1|N|73|33|42.7|W|display=inline}}
| date = June 6 and June 9, 1853 <!-- {{Start date|1853|06|06}} -->
| date = June 6 and June 9, 1853 <!-- {{Start date|1853|06|06}} -->
| time =
| time =
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| type = forcible entrance
| type = Forcible entrance
| fatalities = > 5
| fatalities = >5
| injuries = tens
| injuries = >10
| victim = Protestants
| victim = Protestants
| perps =
| perps =
| perp =
| perp =
| susperps =
| susperps =
| susperp =
| susperp =
| weapons = stones, [[Club (weapon)|bludgeons]]
| weapons = Stones, [[Club (weapon)|bludgeons]]
| numparts =
| numparts =
| numpart =
| numpart =
| dfens = [[Charles Wilson (Canadian politician)|Charles Wilson]]
| dfens = [[Charles Wilson (Quebec politician)|Charles Wilson]]
| dfen =
| dfen =
| Footage =
| Footage =
}}
}}


The '''Gavazzi riots''' were disturbances created in [[Quebec City|Quebec]] and [[Montreal]], in June 1853, by mobs which attacked halls in which [[Alessandro Gavazzi]] was lecturing.
The '''Gavazzi Riots''' were disturbances created in [[Quebec City|Quebec]] and [[Montreal]] in June 1853 by mobs which attacked halls in which ex-Catholic monk [[Alessandro Gavazzi]] was lecturing.<ref>Horner, 2011</ref><ref> Aspinwall, 2006</ref>


== Overview ==
== Overview ==

[[File:Alessandro Gavazzi.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Alessandro Gavazzi]]]]
During the spring of 1853 Alessandro Gavazzi, an Italian patriot, visited [[North America]]. His lectures at [[Quebec City|Quebec]] and [[Montreal]] were strongly anti-[[Roman Catholic]]; and at both places the soldiers had to be called out to restore order. The riots also caused political repercussions.<ref>W. Stewart WALLACE, ed., The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. III, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 396p., p. 13.</ref>
During the spring of 1853 Alessandro Gavazzi, an Italian patriot, visited [[North America]]. His lectures at [[Quebec City|Quebec]] and [[Montreal]] were strongly anti-[[Catholic]]; and at both places soldiers had to be called out to restore order. The riots also caused political repercussions.<ref>W. Stewart WALLACE, ed., ''The Encyclopedia of Canada,'' Vol. III, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 396p., p. 13.</ref>


== Riot in Quebec City ==
== Riot in Quebec City ==


On the evening of the June 6th, pursuant to previous announcement, Gavazzi proceeded to deliver a discourse in the Free Presbyterian Church, in St. Ursule Street, on the subject of the [[Inquisition]]. A large audience assembled to hear him. When he had been speaking for somewhat more than an hour he was interrupted by violent and abusive exclamations. The interruption was the signal for action on the part of other ruffians outside. A volley of stones came crashing through the windows of the church, and immediately afterwards a crowd of persons armed with bludgeons made a forcible entrance into the building.
On the evening of the June 6th, pursuant to previous announcement, Gavazzi proceeded to deliver a discourse in the Free Presbyterian Church, in St. Ursule Street, on the subject of the [[Inquisition]]. A large audience assembled to hear him. When he had been speaking for somewhat more than an hour he was interrupted by violent and abusive exclamations. The interruption was the signal for action on the part of other protestors outside. A volley of stones came crashing through the windows of the church, and immediately afterwards a crowd of persons armed with bludgeons made a forcible entrance into the building.


The principal participants were Irish Catholics who reacted violently to Gavazzi's anti-Catholic sentiments. Gavazzi attributed the failure of the Italian national movement of 1848-49 to the defection of [[Pope Pius IX]] from the cause, and therefore rejected Catholicism. The Gavazzi Riot in Quebec was quelled by military forces.
The principal participants were Irish Catholics who reacted violently to Gavazzi's anti-Catholic sentiments. Gavazzi attributed the failure of the Italian national movement of 1848-49 to the defection of [[Pope Pius IX]] from the cause, and therefore rejected Catholicism. The Gavazzi Riot in Quebec was quelled by military forces.


In February 1854, on acquittal of a Quebec rioter, Gavazzi was [[burned in effigy]].
In February 1854, on acquittal of a Quebec rioter, Gavazzi was [[burned in effigy]].


== Riot in Montreal ==
== Riot in Montreal ==
[[File:Gavazzi Riot, at Montreal - ILN 1853.jpg|thumb|Gavazzi Riot, at Montreal]]
On June 9, a much more serious affray occurred at Montreal, in consequence of the delivery of a lecture there by Gavazzi. The place of delivery was Zion Church, Haymarket Square. A strong body of police were stationed opposite the church. While the lecture was in progress there was an attempt on the part of a band of Roman Catholic Irish to force their way into the church. A few minutes afterwards the latter returned to the assault, and were again driven back. [[Charles Wilson (Quebec politician)|Charles Wilson]], the [[Mayor of Montreal|mayor of the city]], ordered the troops to fire upon the crowd. The order was obeyed, and five men fell dead. The firing by the troops put an end to aggression on the part of the mob. It is impossible even to approximate the number of the wounded.


Investigation of the riot proceeds at Montreal on June 26. The coroner's report deflected blame from Mayor Wilson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://proposmontreal.com/index.php/charles-wilson/|title=Charles Wilson, une toponymie contestable d'un ancien maire|date=31 December 2017}}</ref>
On June 9, a much more serious affray occurred at Montreal, in consequence of the delivery of a lecture there by Gavazzi. The place of delivery was Zion Church, [[Haymarket Square, Montreal|Haymarket Square]]. A strong body of police were stationed opposite the church. While the lecture was in progress there was an attempt on the part of a band of Roman Catholic Irish to force their way into the church. A few minutes afterwards the latter returned to the assault, and were again driven back. [[Charles Wilson (Canadian politician)|Charles Wilson]], the [[Mayor of Montreal|mayor of the city]], ordered the troops to fire upon the crowd. The order was obeyed, and five men fell dead. The firing by the troops put an end to aggression on the part of the mob. It is impossible even to approximate the number of the wounded.

Investigation of the riot proceeds at Montreal on June 26.


Protestant journalists such as [[John Dougall (merchant)|John Dougall]] of the ''[[Montreal Witness]]'' persisted in accusing the mayor for the riots.
Protestant journalists such as [[John Dougall (merchant)|John Dougall]] of the ''[[Montreal Witness]]'' persisted in accusing the mayor for the riots.
Line 52: Line 51:
The Montrealer painter [[James D. Duncan]] depicts the event in his work "Gavazzi riot" (1853).
The Montrealer painter [[James D. Duncan]] depicts the event in his work "Gavazzi riot" (1853).


==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Aspinwall, Bernard. "Rev. Alessandro Gavazzi (1808–1889) and Scottish Identity: A Chapter in Nineteenth Century Anti-Catholicism." ''Recusant History'' 28#1 (2006): 129-152.
* Horner, Dan. "" Shame upon you as men!": Contesting Authority in the Aftermath of Montreal's Gavazzi Riot." ''Histoire sociale/social history'' 44.1 (2011): 29-52.
== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebecHistory/encyclopedia/Gavazzi-Dent.htm The Gavazzi Riots and their Consequences]
* [http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebecHistory/encyclopedia/Gavazzi-Dent.htm The Gavazzi Riots and their Consequences]
* [http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/GavazziRiots-emeutesGavazzi.htm Extensive resources on the Gavazzi riots]
* [http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/GavazziRiots-emeutesGavazzi.htm Extensive resources on the Gavazzi riots]


==Notes==
{{reflist}}


{{MtlHist}}
{{MtlHist}}
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[[Category:History of Montreal]]
[[Category:History of Montreal]]
[[Category:History of Quebec City]]
[[Category:History of Quebec City]]
[[Category:1853 in Canada]]
[[Category:Sectarian violence]]
[[Category:Sectarian violence]]
[[Category:19th century in Quebec]]
[[Category:1853 in Canada East]]
[[Category:Anti-Protestantism]]
[[Category:1850s crimes in Canada]]
[[Category:June 1853 events]]

Latest revision as of 13:04, 25 May 2023

Gavazzi Riots
Engraving, Troops firing on the crowd, Gavazzi Riots, Montreal, QC, 1853, John Henry Walker (1831-1899)
LocationQuebec City, Montreal
Coordinates46°48′43″N 71°12′18″W / 46.81194°N 71.20500°W / 46.81194; -71.20500 45°30′4.1″N 73°33′42.7″W / 45.501139°N 73.561861°W / 45.501139; -73.561861
DateJune 6 and June 9, 1853 (EST)
TargetHalls in which Alessandro Gavazzi was lecturing
Attack type
Forcible entrance
WeaponsStones, bludgeons
Deaths>5
Injured>10
VictimProtestants
DefendersCharles Wilson

The Gavazzi Riots were disturbances created in Quebec and Montreal in June 1853 by mobs which attacked halls in which ex-Catholic monk Alessandro Gavazzi was lecturing.[1][2]

Overview

[edit]

During the spring of 1853 Alessandro Gavazzi, an Italian patriot, visited North America. His lectures at Quebec and Montreal were strongly anti-Catholic; and at both places soldiers had to be called out to restore order. The riots also caused political repercussions.[3]

Riot in Quebec City

[edit]

On the evening of the June 6th, pursuant to previous announcement, Gavazzi proceeded to deliver a discourse in the Free Presbyterian Church, in St. Ursule Street, on the subject of the Inquisition. A large audience assembled to hear him. When he had been speaking for somewhat more than an hour he was interrupted by violent and abusive exclamations. The interruption was the signal for action on the part of other protestors outside. A volley of stones came crashing through the windows of the church, and immediately afterwards a crowd of persons armed with bludgeons made a forcible entrance into the building.

The principal participants were Irish Catholics who reacted violently to Gavazzi's anti-Catholic sentiments. Gavazzi attributed the failure of the Italian national movement of 1848-49 to the defection of Pope Pius IX from the cause, and therefore rejected Catholicism. The Gavazzi Riot in Quebec was quelled by military forces.

In February 1854, on acquittal of a Quebec rioter, Gavazzi was burned in effigy.

Riot in Montreal

[edit]
Gavazzi Riot, at Montreal

On June 9, a much more serious affray occurred at Montreal, in consequence of the delivery of a lecture there by Gavazzi. The place of delivery was Zion Church, Haymarket Square. A strong body of police were stationed opposite the church. While the lecture was in progress there was an attempt on the part of a band of Roman Catholic Irish to force their way into the church. A few minutes afterwards the latter returned to the assault, and were again driven back. Charles Wilson, the mayor of the city, ordered the troops to fire upon the crowd. The order was obeyed, and five men fell dead. The firing by the troops put an end to aggression on the part of the mob. It is impossible even to approximate the number of the wounded.

Investigation of the riot proceeds at Montreal on June 26. The coroner's report deflected blame from Mayor Wilson.[4]

Protestant journalists such as John Dougall of the Montreal Witness persisted in accusing the mayor for the riots.

The Montrealer painter James D. Duncan depicts the event in his work "Gavazzi riot" (1853).

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Horner, 2011
  2. ^ Aspinwall, 2006
  3. ^ W. Stewart WALLACE, ed., The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. III, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 396p., p. 13.
  4. ^ "Charles Wilson, une toponymie contestable d'un ancien maire". 31 December 2017.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Aspinwall, Bernard. "Rev. Alessandro Gavazzi (1808–1889) and Scottish Identity: A Chapter in Nineteenth Century Anti-Catholicism." Recusant History 28#1 (2006): 129-152.
  • Horner, Dan. "" Shame upon you as men!": Contesting Authority in the Aftermath of Montreal's Gavazzi Riot." Histoire sociale/social history 44.1 (2011): 29-52.
[edit]