The Duplessis EraThe Duplessis Era•In 1936, the Union Nationale (a new political party in Quebec) swept into In 1936, the Union Nationale (a new political party in Quebec) swept into power.power.•Duplessis promised to fight Ottawa for power for Quebec and to protect Duplessis promised to fight Ottawa for power for Quebec and to protect Quebec’s traditional values, language, and culture.Quebec’s traditional values, language, and culture.•The Union Nationale worked closely with the Roman Catholic Church, and The Union Nationale worked closely with the Roman Catholic Church, and encouraged people to farm in rural communities, instead of moving to the cities encouraged people to farm in rural communities, instead of moving to the cities and taking factory jobs.and taking factory jobs.•As a result, a generation of French Canadians grew up with little knowledge of As a result, a generation of French Canadians grew up with little knowledge of business, science, or technology.business, science, or technology.

Duplessis. French-Canadian women, 1930s. One-room schoolhouse, 1930s.

Duplessis, cont.Duplessis, cont.•The industrial boom after WWII brought an increase in trade union activity in The industrial boom after WWII brought an increase in trade union activity in the Province, to which Duplessis was opposed the Province, to which Duplessis was opposed He thought all union He thought all union members were COMMUNISTS!!members were COMMUNISTS!!•Also, much investment in Quebec (new factories, etc.) were controlled by Also, much investment in Quebec (new factories, etc.) were controlled by English-speaking businessmen, from Canada or the United States.English-speaking businessmen, from Canada or the United States.•After the Asbestos strike in 1949, where violence broke out and many people After the Asbestos strike in 1949, where violence broke out and many people were injured, people started to question whether Duplessis really cared about were injured, people started to question whether Duplessis really cared about the working class.the working class.

An injured striker from the Asbestos strike.

Strikers march in Quebec, 1949.

Changes in Quebec under Changes in Quebec under Duplessis.Duplessis.

The Church’s role in Quebec’s education and social services was reduced.The Church’s role in Quebec’s education and social services was reduced.Minimum wage was increased, hospitals were built, and hydro-electric Minimum wage was increased, hospitals were built, and hydro-electric projects were created to help modernize rural Quebec.projects were created to help modernize rural Quebec.Quebec adopted the fleur-de-lis, which symbolized the concept of Quebec Quebec adopted the fleur-de-lis, which symbolized the concept of Quebec unity.unity.More French-Canadians, including future Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, More French-Canadians, including future Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, saw the impacts of these changes and argued that Quebec should do more saw the impacts of these changes and argued that Quebec should do more to modernizeto modernize..

Quebec’s provincial flag, with the fleur-de-lis.

Future Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau shows off his dancing skills..

Jean Lesage and the Quiet Jean Lesage and the Quiet Revolution.Revolution.

When Duplessis died in 1959, the old Quebec died with him.When Duplessis died in 1959, the old Quebec died with him.

In 1960, the Liberals, led by Jean Lesage, won their first election in In 1960, the Liberals, led by Jean Lesage, won their first election in Quebec since 1939.Quebec since 1939.

The Quiet Revolution, a time of dramatic change in Quebec, had begun.The Quiet Revolution, a time of dramatic change in Quebec, had begun.

One goal of the Quiet Revolution was for Quebecois to become “Maitres One goal of the Quiet Revolution was for Quebecois to become “Maitres chez-nous” (Masters in our own house).chez-nous” (Masters in our own house).

Liberal Premier Jean Lesage.Poster signifying the Quiet Revolution.

Problems in QuebecProblems in Quebec

Francophones (French-speaking people) felt like Francophones (French-speaking people) felt like second-class citizens in their own province.second-class citizens in their own province.Most of the high-paying jobs in the province went to Most of the high-paying jobs in the province went to Anglophones (English-speaking people).Anglophones (English-speaking people).Most immigrants to Quebec learned English, not Most immigrants to Quebec learned English, not French.French.Most of the largest corporations in Quebec were Most of the largest corporations in Quebec were owned by English-Canadians or Americans.owned by English-Canadians or Americans.French Canadians knew they needed political and French Canadians knew they needed political and financial control over their own affairs to improve financial control over their own affairs to improve their status.their status.

Lesage’s ChangesLesage’s Changes

The role of the Church over education was reduced – schools now The role of the Church over education was reduced – schools now focused on technical skills, business, math, and science.focused on technical skills, business, math, and science.The government provided better health care and reduced the The government provided better health care and reduced the influence of the Church.influence of the Church.Laws were passed to protect the French language in Quebec.Laws were passed to protect the French language in Quebec.The Quebec Pension Plan was created in 1966.The Quebec Pension Plan was created in 1966.The Province took control of all hydro-electric companies in the The Province took control of all hydro-electric companies in the province, and expanded the availability of power to more rural province, and expanded the availability of power to more rural areas.areas.People gained a new pride in the province and began calling People gained a new pride in the province and began calling themselves Quebecois, rather than French-Canadians.themselves Quebecois, rather than French-Canadians.

A difference in opinion…A difference in opinion…Most French-Canadians agreed with the goals of the Quiet Revolution.Most French-Canadians agreed with the goals of the Quiet Revolution.One group, including Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien (both future Prime One group, including Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien (both future Prime Ministers), believed that Quebec should have more influence over the federal Ministers), believed that Quebec should have more influence over the federal government in Ottawa.government in Ottawa.Another group, led by Rene Levesque, thought that Quebec would be better off with Another group, led by Rene Levesque, thought that Quebec would be better off with fewer ties to Canada.fewer ties to Canada.Levesque and many others wanted Quebec to be Levesque and many others wanted Quebec to be sovereignsovereign, or politically , or politically independent – its own country!independent – its own country!A third group, called the A third group, called the Front de Liberation du Quebec Front de Liberation du Quebec (The FLQ) believed that (The FLQ) believed that Quebec could only be freed through a violent revolution. Terrorist attacks were Quebec could only be freed through a violent revolution. Terrorist attacks were planned as the first stage of a war of liberation.planned as the first stage of a war of liberation.

Trudeau, Turner, Chretien, and Pearson.

FLQ propaganda – a “future” Quebec bank note.

The October CrisisThe October Crisis

In the 1960s, a terrorist group called the FLQ In the 1960s, a terrorist group called the FLQ carried out bombings.carried out bombings.They hoped to call attention to their cause by They hoped to call attention to their cause by attacking federal government property.attacking federal government property.FLQ cells worked independently from one FLQ cells worked independently from one another, without a clear leader.another, without a clear leader.

Aftermath of a bombing in Montreal. An FLQ wanted poster.

James CrossJames Cross

On Oct 5On Oct 5thth, 1970, the FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a , 1970, the FLQ kidnapped James Cross, a British diplomat.British diplomat.The terrorists demanded safe passage out of Canada, The terrorists demanded safe passage out of Canada, and for the press to air their views to the Quebec people.and for the press to air their views to the Quebec people.The FLQ hoped that the kidnapping would spark a wave The FLQ hoped that the kidnapping would spark a wave of violence that would result in the separation of Quebec of violence that would result in the separation of Quebec from Canada.from Canada.

James Cross

Pierre LaportePierre Laporte

Five days later, on Oct 10, Pierre Laporte, Five days later, on Oct 10, Pierre Laporte, Quebec’s minister of labour, was kidnapped.Quebec’s minister of labour, was kidnapped.

In response, Trudeau enacted the In response, Trudeau enacted the War War Measures ActMeasures Act, which suspended legal rights and , which suspended legal rights and freedoms. Hundreds of suspected terrorists were freedoms. Hundreds of suspected terrorists were arrested and held without charge.arrested and held without charge.

Pierre Laporte Soldier on the street.Soldiers protect federal buildings.

The Crisis Ends…The Crisis Ends…

On Oct 17, the body of Pierre Laporte was found On Oct 17, the body of Pierre Laporte was found in the trunk of a car. He was strangled to death.in the trunk of a car. He was strangled to death.

The FLQ negotiated the release of James Cross, The FLQ negotiated the release of James Cross, and they were allowed to flee to Cuba.and they were allowed to flee to Cuba.

Pierre Laporte found dead in a car trunk.Members of the cell that captured Laporte.

AftermathAftermath

Any sympathy for the FLQ was wiped out.Any sympathy for the FLQ was wiped out.Separatists, or Separatists, or sovereignistssovereignists, vowed to fight for , vowed to fight for independence through peaceful means.independence through peaceful means.Canadians outside of Quebec began to think seriously Canadians outside of Quebec began to think seriously about the feelings of French-Canadians.about the feelings of French-Canadians.Many people saw a new attempt to understand their Many people saw a new attempt to understand their neighbours, and to resolve their differences peacefully.neighbours, and to resolve their differences peacefully.

Rene Levesque, leader of the Parti Quebecois.

Jean Chretien, PM from 1993 to 2004.

Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

BilingualismBilingualism

In an effort to ease tensions between French and In an effort to ease tensions between French and English Canadians, Prime Minister Trudeau passed the English Canadians, Prime Minister Trudeau passed the Official Languages ActOfficial Languages Act in 1969. in 1969.It made Canada a bilingual country, and forced the It made Canada a bilingual country, and forced the federal government to offer services in both French and federal government to offer services in both French and English.English.

Parti QuebecoisParti Quebecois

Rene Levesque became leader of the Parti Rene Levesque became leader of the Parti Quebecois in 1968. This provincial political party Quebecois in 1968. This provincial political party wanted separation for Quebec.wanted separation for Quebec.In 1976, the Parti Quebecois won the Quebec In 1976, the Parti Quebecois won the Quebec provincial election, and formed the government of provincial election, and formed the government of Quebec.Quebec.

Levesque tries to quiet supporters after the ’76 election.

Levesque at another news conference.

Referendum, 1980.Referendum, 1980.

A referendum occurs when a government polls its A referendum occurs when a government polls its citizens about a particular question.citizens about a particular question.In May, 1980, Quebecers were asked if they wanted In May, 1980, Quebecers were asked if they wanted their provincial government to negotiate for their provincial government to negotiate for “sovereignty-association” with Canada.“sovereignty-association” with Canada.Results: 60% voted to stay in Canada.Results: 60% voted to stay in Canada.

The referendum often caused tension between neighbours!

Prime Minister Trudeau making a speech in defense of Quebec staying in Canada.

The Bloc QuebecoisThe Bloc Quebecois

In 1990, Lucien Bouchard left the federal In 1990, Lucien Bouchard left the federal conservative party and created the conservative party and created the Bloc Bloc QuebecoisQuebecois

The BQ is a The BQ is a federalfederal political party, with political party, with candidates only from Quebec, who represent candidates only from Quebec, who represent Quebec’s interests in Ottawa.Quebec’s interests in Ottawa.

Lucien Bouchard, first leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

Referendum, 1995.Referendum, 1995.

In 1995, the Parti Quebecois was in power in In 1995, the Parti Quebecois was in power in Quebec.Quebec.The Premier, Jacques Parizeau, held another The Premier, Jacques Parizeau, held another referendum on separation on Oct. 30referendum on separation on Oct. 30 thth, 1995., 1995.Results: 49.4% of Quebecers voted to leave Results: 49.4% of Quebecers voted to leave Canada!Canada!

A rally for the “No” side in Montreal.