Introduction to French-English Relations La Survivance, Maître Chez Nous & Vive le Québec Libre
Background Canada was born in 1867 as a partnership between two major ethnic groups: French & English However, since the beginning, there have been major problems between these two groups For example: the Manitoba Schools Act (1890, abolished the French Catholic school system in the province) & the Conscription Crisis The root of these conflicts: Quebec’s concern about its ability to maintain its distinction as a French-speaking, Catholic province
Maurice Duplessis Premier of Quebec, & Leader of the Union Nationale Party
Maurice Duplessis La Survivance – “Survival” - promoted traditional values and institutions in Quebec Under Duplessis, Quebec became backwards (preferred rural investment over urban and social services) Education was controlled by the Catholic Church: highest dropout rate in Canada; high poverty rates English businessmen dominated Quebec’s economy, while most French held low-paying jobs or were farm labourers
Jean Lesage Lesage was the Premier of Quebec through most of the ‘60s
Jean Lesage Introduced Maître Chez Nous – masters in our own house Unhappy with Quebec’s position in Canada – wanted a new deal: Quebec should be able to control its own future within Canada Began a massive modernization program Determined to put Quebec’s economy in the hands of French Canadians One the most important members of his government was the young Rene Levesque
Rene Levesque
The Quiet Revolution Lesage accidentally started the Quiet Revolution in Quebec A period of social reform throughout Quebec Quebecois turned away from the Catholic Church and began to express themselves like never before New art, music and literature dominated French culture Quebecois became interested in politics and demanded equal rights with the rest of Canada
The Effects of the Quiet Revolution Although most Quebecois wanted a new deal with Canada, they disagreed on how to get it 1.Federalists: wanted Quebec to participate more in Canadian politics and try to influence Canada from inside the government (Pierre Trudeau) 2.Nationalists (separatists): wanted Quebec to have fewer ties with Canada. Some even wanted outright separation. 3.Militants (terrorists): remove Quebec from Canada through violence and revolution
Expo ‘67 In 1967, Canada turned 100 and created a huge exhibition in Montreal 62 nations participated; over 50 million visitors Many leaders and VIPs from around the world came to Montreal, including Charles de Gaulle, the president of France de Gaulle was given a hero’s welcome by French Canadians Before going to the Expo, De Gaulle made a public speech from Montreal’s city hall In the speech he said, “Vive le Québec libre:” long live free Quebec welcomes-the-world/expo-67-opens-to-the-public.html welcomes-the-world/expo-67-opens-to-the-public.html
The Impact of “Vive le Québec Libre” de Gaulle’s speech hit Canada like a bomb PM Lester Pearson responded by saying, "Canadians do not need to be liberated; Canada will remain united and will reject any effort to destroy her unity” Within Quebec, the separatist movement gained massive popularity Rene Levesque quits on Lesage and the Liberal Party, stating that he could no longer support a government that denies Quebec its right to self-government
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The Foundation of the Parti Québécois In 1968, many separatist groups came together to form the “Parti Québécois” Rene Levesque elected the first leader of the PQ By 1970, the PQ had won 23% of the vote in Quebec The separatist cause was gaining strength
Key Points Maurice Duplessis – La Survivance (Survival) kept Quebec traditional: Quebec fell behind the rest of Canada Jean Lesage – Maître Chez Nous (masters in our own house): modernized Quebec, sought equality with Canada Quiet Revolution: Quebec becomes less Catholic, less traditional, more modern and politically active Vive le Québec Libre – Long live free Quebec – said at Expo ‘67 by French president de Gaulle Rene Levesque starts the Parti Québécois: dedicated to separatism