To what extent did the power struggle over Canada in the years 1750-1867 lead to the

integration of its French-speaking population, and how has Quebec separatism affected Canadian government and society

in the last fifty years?

A study of French-Canadians in the making and possible breaking of

Canada

The making of Canada

• European powers colonised the New World.

• Britain and New France were constantly in conflict with each other.

• Acadian Expulsion from 1755.

• The Seven Years’ War and the all-important Battle of the Plains of Abraham put Canada into British hands.

Conciliation and Division

• Quebec Act, 1774.

• Catholics were allowed to enter government.

• Catholic legal and religious rights protected.

• The American Revolution dramatically changed the nature of the population.

• Constitutional Act, 1791, divided Canada mainly on Francophone/Anglophone lines.

Towards a country

• The War of 1812 was a massively important event in Canadian history – with crucial Francophone participation.

• Rebellions of 1837 and 1838 – a mainly Francophone-led effort against British rule.

• The Union Act of 1840 merged the two colonies but failed to assimilate the Francophones.

• Confederation in 1867 created Canada: 3 colonies became 4 provinces of the “Dominion of Canada”.

The rise of Quebec separatism

• The “Quiet Revolution” of the 1960s added to more nationalistic sentiment in Quebec.

• The FLQ terrorist group and October Crisis was an extreme manifestation of separatism.

• The rise of the Parti Québécois in 1976 brought resounding changes and a referendum.

• The 1980 Referendum – Quebec stays in Canada with “non” winning 59.56% of the vote.

Quebec vs. Canada?• Quebec refused to sign the Constitution in 1982.

• The Meech Lake (1987) and Charlottetown (1992) Accords both failed to rectify this.

• The 1995 Referendum – the apogee of Quebec separatism.

• “NON” (50.58%) marginally beat “OUI” (49.42%).

VS

Questionnaire

• 57 respondents answered questions on:– Residence

– Languages spoken

– Quebec as a “distinct society”

– Canada as a united country

– The most important event in Canadian history

• 76% say Quebec is a distinct society.

• 60% think Canada is a united country.

• The Battle of the Plains of Abraham the most common response for question five.

Quebec’s Distinctiveness

• 76% agreed.

• Non-Quebecers divided and sceptical: 55% disagree.

• Quebecers themselves are assured: 84% agreed.

Some responses• “Without any doubt, Quebec is a distinct society from the rest of

Canada. One day, Quebec will be independent. It is only a matter of time”. (Montreal, Quebec, F.)

• “Although they think they are distinct (the Francophones), they are just as North American as the rest of North Americans... Yes they speak French, but in terms of lifestyle and culture, they're just like the rest of Canada, except they can't see that themselves. What makes them distinct, in my view, is their paranoia about how the rest of the country treats them and the loss of their language”.(Halifax, Nova Scotia)

• “There are many different cultures throughout Canada; the Quebecois culture is one of these... The Quebecois culture is a bit different; but, it is an integral part of the overall Canadian identity”. (Red Deer, Alberta)

Canadian unity• A slightly unconvincing 60% agreed. 24% disagreed

outright; 16% were unsure.

• Non-Quebecers almost unanimously agreed with 82%, but Quebec only had 54%.

• Of the last two options, 35% mentioned Quebec as a principal cause of this disunity.

Some responses

• “No, simply due to the fact that Quebec is a distinct society. But despite everything, I do not think that it would be a good idea to separate from the rest of Canada”. (Montreal, Quebec, F.)

• “Canada is a united country but there will always be a battle between two different perceptions. The Québécois are attached to Canada as the two referenda showed but less attached to the British Crown than the rest of Canada”. (Saguenay, Quebec, F.)

• “Canada is a united country. It is her diversity that is the strength of Canada”. (Quebec, Quebec, F.)

Canadian history

Researching

• Research was carried out as thoroughly as possible with a wide range of sources:

– Books

– Websites

– Online journals

– Online newspaper articles

– Online videos and radio

– People

Strengths and Successes

• There was plenty of material available for my topic, so evidence-gathering was not an issue.

• The use of many and a wide range of sources.

• Some books were very detailed on key events and were thus invaluable.

• The more recent events allowed me to use both primary and secondary sources.

• My report was therefore suitably supported and referenced.

Weaknesses and Failures

• Adhering to the word limit failed completely.

• Refining and selecting evidence.

• Possibly the number of questionnaire responses.

• The Quebec-centred

nature of the

respondents.

Quebec

British Columbia

Ontario

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Prince Edward Island

Skills used and developed

• Researching skills – only noting down relevant details from text.

• Analysis and evaluation both required.

• Synthesising events and culminating in a personal argument and conclusion.

• Handling qualitative data via the questionnaire.

• Linguistic skills, as I had to translate many questionnaire responses.

Changes and Advice• I should have noted down relevant material from

my online sources immediately.

• I could have saved some more time and consequently achieved greater efficiency.

• Possibly a shorter question.

• Less stress.

• I would recommend doing an EPQ for the skills and the experience.

• The EPQ was really helpful regarding my A-level subjects, especially History and French.

Questions?

(www.pq.org)