1. The Duplessis Era In 1936, the Union Nationale (a new political party in Quebec) swept into power. Duplessis promised to fight Ottawa for power for Quebec and to protect Quebec’s traditional values, language, and culture. The Union Nationale worked closely with the Roman Catholic Church, and encouraged people to farm in rural communities, instead of moving to the cities and taking factory jobs. As a result, a generation of French Canadians grew up with little knowledge of business, science, or technology. Duplessis. French-Canadian women, 1930s. One-room schoolhouse, 1930s.

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

3. Changes in Quebec under Duplessis. The Church’s role in Quebec’s education and social services was reduced. Minimum wage was increased, hospitals were built, and hydro-electric projects were created to help modernize rural Quebec. Quebec adopted the fleur-de-lis, which symbolized the concept of Quebec unity. More French-Canadians, including future Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, saw the impacts of these changes and argued that Quebec should do more to modernize. Quebec’s provincial flag, with the fleur-de-lis. Future Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau shows off his dancing skills..

4. Jean Lesage and the Quiet Revolution. When Duplessis died in 1959, the old Quebec died with him. In 1960, the Liberals, led by Jean Lesage, won their first election in Quebec since 1939. The Quiet Revolution, a time of dramatic change in Quebec, had begun. One goal of the Quiet Revolution was for Quebecois to become “Maitres chez-nous” (Masters in our own house). Liberal Premier Jean Lesage. Poster signifying the Quiet Revolution.

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

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

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

8. The October Crisis In the 1960s, a terrorist group called the FLQ carried out bombings. They hoped to call attention to their cause by attacking federal government property. FLQ cells worked independently from one another, without a clear leader. Aftermath of a bombing in Montreal.An FLQ wanted poster.

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

10. Pierre Laporte Five days later, on Oct 10, Pierre Laporte, Quebec’s minister of labour, was kidnapped. In response, Trudeau enacted the War Measures Act, which suspended legal rights and freedoms. Hundreds of suspected terrorists were arrested and held without charge. Pierre LaporteSoldier on the street.Soldiers protect federal buildings.

11. The Crisis Ends… On Oct 17, the body of Pierre Laporte was found in the trunk of a car. He was strangled to death. The FLQ negotiated the release of James Cross, and they were allowed to flee to Cuba. Pierre Laporte found dead in a car trunk. Members of the cell that captured Laporte.

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

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

14. Parti Quebecois Rene Levesque became leader of the Parti Quebecois in 1968. This provincial political party wanted separation for Quebec. In 1976, the Parti Quebecois won the Quebec provincial election, and formed the government of Quebec. Levesque tries to quiet supporters after the ’76 election. Levesque at another news conference.

15. Referendum, 1980. A referendum occurs when a government polls its citizens about a particular question. In May, 1980, Quebecers were asked if they wanted their provincial government to negotiate for “sovereignty-association” with 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.

16. The Bloc Quebecois In 1990, Lucien Bouchard left the federal conservative party and created the Bloc Quebecois The BQ is a federal political party, with candidates only from Quebec, who represent Quebec’s interests in Ottawa. Lucien Bouchard, first leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

17. Referendum, 1995. In 1995, the Parti Quebecois was in power in Quebec. The Premier, Jacques Parizeau, held another referendum on separation on Oct. 30 th, 1995. Results: 49.4% of Quebecers voted to leave Canada! A rally for the “No” side in Montreal.