The aim of this study is to disentangle the theme of federalism from that of responsible government, and to suggest that the two questions of responsible government and assimilation may be considered as two parallel themes which merge only occasionally. The author believes that the primary objective of the Canadian union of 1841 was the assimilation of French Canada, and when it became evident that that was an unrealistic objective, the inherent dualism in the United Province of Canada led to the emergence of a federal concept. This important new interpretation of the background of the French Canadian question provides a fresh approach to the present situation in Quebec. (Canadian Studies in History and Government No. 14)