1. Part 1: The Duplessis Era 1940’s and 50’s
The Quebec Question
Part 1: The Duplessis Era
1940’s and 50’s

2. Learning goals: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to…
identify the reasons for Quebec’s discontent in the 1940’s and 1950’s
assess the effectiveness of the Quiet Revolution
trace the origins of the Quebec separatist movement

3. Key Questions: Did the Quiet Revolution help or hurt Quebec?
Was the separatist movement avoidable? Or was it a natural evolution in French/English relations…

4. Minds On: The Hockey Sweater
What can we learn about Quebec society from this story?
What do these images suggests about their values/beliefs?

5. Duplessis’ Quebec
Quebec Premier , when he died (Party: Union Nationale)
Wanted traditional life and values for Quebecers…
back to the farm / simple country life
Kept federal government interference to a minimum
Refused federal government money and grants for education – logical?

6. Duplessis’ Quebec continued
PROBLEMS:
Delayed needed reform…
modernization, industrialization on hold
Controlled unions and kept wages and benefits low for workers
Encouraged Eng. Canadian and American investment in Quebec factories, businesses and natural resources
Montreal 1950

7. How did Duplessis stay in power?
Weak opposition
Was supported by the Catholic Church
Was a good speaker – convinced Quebecers that he was the champion Quebec’s survival
Ridings were rewarded with new roads, hospitals and other services if they supported him – coersion, rigged elections
Unions were squashed – believed to be communistic inspired
Big Business (English Canadian and American) supported him in return for business opportunities in Quebec

8. Results of the Duplessis Era
French Canadians did not get the education needed to be competitive in the post-war era
Big business belonged to English speaking Canadians
French Canadians felt like 2nd class citizens in their own country
Great resentment towards English Canada

9. Jean Lesage and the Quiet Revolution
Quebec Part 2
Jean Lesage and the Quiet Revolution

10. Lesage and the Quiet Revolution
Duplessis dies 1959, Jean Lesage becomes Que. Premier
Lesage promises:
improved social standards
improved economic standards
win greater recognition for Fr. Cdns.
Uses campaign slogans: “Maitres chez nous / masters in our own house”; la survivance / the survival; je me souviens / I will remember
Video Peoples History “Maitre Chez Nous”

11. Quiet Revolution continued
Education:
give control to province rather than church
Curriculum focus on business, technology, science and engineering – tools to function in the industrial world
Social Programs
Shift from Roman Catholic Church to gov’t controlled
Economic Standards
Private companies (in foreign hands) were brought by the state and became public (ex. Hydro Quebec – symbol of economic liberation)
Language
made working language French, not English
Culture
Pro French political themes and messages emerged in new freedoms of expression – books, film, art, music….

12. Outcome of the Quiet Revolution…not enough!
French Canadians realized the extent of the discrimination they had endured.
new middle-class of elite emerged that challenged Quebec’s position in Confederation
‘3 Wise Men’ (Trudeau, Pelletier, Marchand) rise to prominence
French Canadian and English Canadian relations becoming tense
Rise of separatist groups - FLQ bombings 1960
(CAPH 36:03)
‘3 Wise Men’

13. Expo 67’
Canada (Montreal) hosts the World Fair – part of our centenary celebrations!
50 million visitors from 60 countries visited
But…sour ending:
French president Charles DeGaulle delivers a speech to a roaring enthusiastic crowd “Vive le Quebec libre!”
viewed as a rallying cry for Quebec separation
P.M. Pearson not impressed!!!
(CAPH 45:40)

14. P.M. Pearson’s Federal Response: Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
Purpose: To examine the state of Fr. /Eng. relations in Canada and make recommendations…

15. Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism
Findings:
Strong regionalism everywhere in Canada
Rise of radical separatist groups in Que.
Recommendations
Canada should be a bilingual country
Eng & Fr. Official languages of parliament and federal courts
Government services should all be offered both languages anywhere in Canada
CAPH (1:08:14)

16. Words become actions . . .
All 3 recommendations carried out in the Official Languages Act, 1969 By the Trudeau Government.
But . . .still not enough!!!
FLQ October Crisis 1970

17. Your task:
Refer back to the Key Questions and answer them each in short paragraphs, using specific examples from this note to back up your opinions.