THE PRESENT STATE of separatism in Canada has its cultural roots in the religious and political power struggles of the first half of the nineteenth century. During that period the Imperialists of England sought to maintain economic and political control of Canada while an emerging class of industrialists and commercial entrepreneurs within Canada were attempting to establish independent and autonomous political authority. At the same time the powerful Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches struggled vigorously to maintain their authoritative positions in administration of the colony. While many of the clergy were deeply involved in politics, the politicians were fighting political issues on religious principles; religion and politics were seriously interwoven. At this period the general population in both Upper and Lower Canada were struggling to free themselves from colonial domination and attempting to establish an autonomous, democratic government. However, in this struggle they were defeated. Although Canada eventually won political independence, she remained a colony economically and culturally. In a peculiar and perplexing manner, the Roman Catholic Church played a dominant role in sustaining colonialism through utilizing the principles of separatism and feudalism. The Church of England, which until mid century was a prominent institution in the colony, also supported the forces of Imperialism. Although the common people of the two provinces differed historically and religiously, their objectives for an autonomous Canadian society were basically similar; consequently an analogous struggle took place in each. Unification of the two national groups Mr. Adams is Assistant Professor of Continuing Education at the University of Saskatchewan.