French-English RelationsFrench-English Relations

World War One – 1914 -1918World War One – 1914 -1918

At the outset of World War At the outset of World War One – tremendous One – tremendous disagreement between disagreement between English and French Canada English and French Canada on what role Canada should on what role Canada should play in conflictplay in conflictFrench Canadians did not French Canadians did not think we should get involved think we should get involved in a European / British war in a European / British war Most English-Canadians still Most English-Canadians still felt strong loyalty to Britain felt strong loyalty to Britain and wanted to lend supportand wanted to lend support

1917 – Conscription Crisis of WWI1917 – Conscription Crisis of WWIWhen PM Borden introduced When PM Borden introduced Military Service Act of 1917 – Military Service Act of 1917 – introduced conscriptionintroduced conscriptionDivided Canada along language Divided Canada along language lineslinesEnglish Canada supportive of English Canada supportive of conscription, French Canada conscription, French Canada opposedopposedHenri Bourassa, the Premier of Henri Bourassa, the Premier of Quebec, appealed to Quebecois Quebec, appealed to Quebecois by saying that the war involved no by saying that the war involved no Canadian interests, and therefore Canadian interests, and therefore Canadians should not be involved.Canadians should not be involved.Québec City Riot (1918) protested Québec City Riot (1918) protested conscription, led to 4 deathsconscription, led to 4 deaths

1930s - Roots of Quebec Nationalism1930s - Roots of Quebec Nationalism

Premier of Québec from 1936-1939, Premier of Québec from 1936-1939, and again from 1944-1959and again from 1944-1959strong Québec nationalist devoted strong Québec nationalist devoted to the idea of Québec as a to the idea of Québec as a distinctive societydistinctive society – – a “nation” a “nation” rather than just another Canadian rather than just another Canadian provinceprovinceintroduced flag for Québec bearing introduced flag for Québec bearing the French symbol, the the French symbol, the fleur-de-lisfleur-de-lis – – to emphasize province’s difference to emphasize province’s difference from English-speaking Canadafrom English-speaking Canadafiercely opposed growing powers of fiercely opposed growing powers of federal government federal government

Maurice Duplessis – Union NationaleMaurice Duplessis – Union Nationale

Duplessis – cont’Duplessis – cont’HOWEVER-HOWEVER-

bribery and corruption bribery and corruption trademarks of Duplessis regimetrademarks of Duplessis regimewhile limiting the influence of while limiting the influence of foreign culture, he foreign culture, he encouraged encouraged foreign investmentforeign investmentbusinesses and industries from businesses and industries from Ontario and USA were attracted Ontario and USA were attracted by what Québec had to offer: by what Québec had to offer: cheap labour (union activity was cheap labour (union activity was either discouraged or banned) either discouraged or banned) and low taxesand low taxesin return for favourable in return for favourable business conditions, companies business conditions, companies were expected to contribute were expected to contribute generously to the Union generously to the Union Nationale – in “Nationale – in “kickbackskickbacks”/ gifts”/ gifts

Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchUnder Duplessis, the Church was Under Duplessis, the Church was the main defender of Québec culturethe main defender of Québec culturepriests urged people in Québec to priests urged people in Québec to turn their backs on the materialism turn their backs on the materialism of English-speaking North Americaof English-speaking North AmericaChurch praised the old Québec Church praised the old Québec traditions of farm, faith, and familytraditions of farm, faith, and familyChurch ran Québec’s schools - Church ran Québec’s schools - taught children to accept authoritytaught children to accept authoritythose few who attended high school those few who attended high school and university received training in and university received training in traditional subjects (eg. Philosophy)traditional subjects (eg. Philosophy)Result – Québec produced many Result – Québec produced many priests, lawyers, and politicians, but priests, lawyers, and politicians, but few scientists, engineers, or few scientists, engineers, or business peoplebusiness people

World War Two 1939 - 1945World War Two 1939 - 1945

1942 – Conscription Crisis 1942 – Conscription Crisis againagain Not as severe as 1917, but Not as severe as 1917, but

there were still protests and there were still protests and tensions tensions

PM King uses plebiscite PM King uses plebiscite (referendum) to ask (referendum) to ask Canadians to release him Canadians to release him from promise not to from promise not to impose conscriptionimpose conscriptionVast majority of English Vast majority of English Canadians vote in favour; Canadians vote in favour; vast majority of French vast majority of French Canadians vote against Canadians vote against ConscriptionConscription

Quiet Revolution – 1960sQuiet Revolution – 1960s

1960 – Duplessis died – 1960 – Duplessis died – Jean LesageJean Lesage and the and the LiberalsLiberals came to power in came to power in Québec under the slogan, Québec under the slogan, “Time for a Change”“Time for a Change”Lesage – stamped out Lesage – stamped out corruptioncorruption government jobs and government jobs and

contracts were now contracts were now awarded according to awarded according to meritmerit

wages and pensions were wages and pensions were raisedraised

restrictions on trade restrictions on trade unionism removedunionism removed

Quiet Revolution - Quiet Revolution - ModernizationModernizationLiberals began a peaceful but Liberals began a peaceful but dramatic movement to dramatic movement to modernize the province’s modernize the province’s economy, politics, economy, politics, education, and cultureeducation, and culturetook control of social services took control of social services and the education systemand the education systemstudents required to take students required to take more science and technology more science and technology courses to prepare them for courses to prepare them for the new Québecthe new QuébecQuebeckers were encouraged Quebeckers were encouraged to think of themselves as to think of themselves as citizens of the 20th centurycitizens of the 20th centuryas as new attitudes took hold, new attitudes took hold, the influence of the church the influence of the church declineddeclined

this wave of change known this wave of change known as the as the Quiet RevolutionQuiet Revolution

Quiet Revolution - Quiet Revolution - ““Maîtres Chez NousMaîtres Chez Nous””

after 1962 election – Liberals after 1962 election – Liberals campaigned, and won, with campaigned, and won, with the motto, “the motto, “maîtres chez maîtres chez nousnous” – “ masters in our own ” – “ masters in our own house”house”aim – to strengthen Québec’s aim – to strengthen Québec’s control of its own economycontrol of its own economy

among other steps – Quebec among other steps – Quebec nationalized (bought out) nationalized (bought out) several hydro companies and several hydro companies and turned them into a large, turned them into a large, provincially-owned power provincially-owned power

monopoly – monopoly – Hydro-Hydro-QuébecQuébec

SeparatismSeparatismresentment towards English-resentment towards English-speaking Canada grewspeaking Canada grewas francophone Quebeckers became as francophone Quebeckers became proud of their achievements – proud of their achievements – became angrier at what they became angrier at what they perceived as injustices by English-perceived as injustices by English-speaking Canadians – i.e.speaking Canadians – i.e. federal government federal government

overwhelmingly English; overwhelmingly English; French rarely held Cabinet posts; French rarely held Cabinet posts;

no French schools in the rest of no French schools in the rest of

Canada; Canada; Francophones expected to speak Francophones expected to speak

English in stores and at workEnglish in stores and at workfor some – only solution was for for some – only solution was for Quebec to be entirely controlled by Quebec to be entirely controlled by Quebeckers – in separation from Quebeckers – in separation from CanadaCanada

Separatism - FLQSeparatism - FLQsome young radicals – joined some young radicals – joined terrorist groups like the terrorist groups like the FLQ FLQ ((front de liberation du front de liberation du QuébecQuébec) and fought in the ) and fought in the name of “name of “Québec libre” Québec libre” – a – a “free” Québec“free” Québecused firebombs and used firebombs and explosives to attack symbols explosives to attack symbols of English-Canadian power in of English-Canadian power in QuébecQuébecmost notably – March 7, 1963 most notably – March 7, 1963 – 3 Canadian army buildings – 3 Canadian army buildings in Montreal were bombed in Montreal were bombed with Molotov cocktails with Molotov cocktails (homemade firebombs) (homemade firebombs) FLQ claimed responsibilityFLQ claimed responsibility

Separatism -Separatism - Lévesque and the PQ Lévesque and the PQ

1967 – influential 1967 – influential Québec cabinet minister Québec cabinet minister René Lévesque René Lévesque left the left the Liberal Party and formed Liberal Party and formed the the Parti Québécois Parti Québécois (PQ)(PQ)Lévesque believed that Lévesque believed that Québec and Canada Québec and Canada would do better to would do better to “divorce peacefully” than “divorce peacefully” than to continue a marriage to continue a marriage that seemed “no loner that seemed “no loner workable”workable”

Ottawa’s ResponseOttawa’s Response - Royal Commission - Royal Commission

Lester Pearson – became Lester Pearson – became PM in midst of Quiet PM in midst of Quiet RevolutionRevolutionconvinced that Canada convinced that Canada would face a grave crisis would face a grave crisis unless the French were unless the French were made to feel more at made to feel more at home in Canadahome in Canadaappointed the appointed the Royal Royal Commission on Commission on Bilingualism and Bilingualism and Biculturalism (The “Bi Biculturalism (The “Bi and Bi Commission”) and Bi Commission”) to to investigate some solutionsinvestigate some solutionsMain recommendation: Main recommendation: that Canada should that Canada should become become officially officially bilingualbilingual

Ottawa’s Response - Ottawa’s Response - New Canadian Flag -1965New Canadian Flag -1965

1964 – 1964 – Pearson acted on long-Pearson acted on long-standing complaint in Québec standing complaint in Québec that Canada’s symbols were that Canada’s symbols were too British – suggested a new too British – suggested a new Canadian flag Canadian flag Maple Leaf chosen as symbol for Maple Leaf chosen as symbol for new flag because it seemed to new flag because it seemed to represent all Canadiansrepresent all Canadiansinstead – increased tensions in instead – increased tensions in CanadaCanadamany English Canadians many English Canadians opposed the new flag because opposed the new flag because they felt Pearson was pandering they felt Pearson was pandering to Québecto Québec heated debate – split the heated debate – split the

countrycountrynow accepted by English-now accepted by English-Canadians – Quebeckers tend to Canadians – Quebeckers tend to favour favour fleur-de-lisfleur-de-lis

finally, on February 15, 1965 finally, on February 15, 1965 – Canada’s new flag was – Canada’s new flag was raised on Parliament Hill for raised on Parliament Hill for the 1st timethe 1st time

Trudeau and QuébecTrudeau and Québec

1968 – Trudeau succeeded 1968 – Trudeau succeeded Pearson as PMPearson as PMdetermined Ottawa should do determined Ottawa should do more to persuade people from more to persuade people from Québec that their future lay with Québec that their future lay with CanadaCanada1969 – acted n the advice of the 1969 – acted n the advice of the “Bi and Bi Commission” and “Bi and Bi Commission” and passed the passed the Official Languages Official Languages ActAct – making Canada an – making Canada an officially bilingual countryofficially bilingual countryfrom this point on: all federal from this point on: all federal government agencies across government agencies across Canada were required to provide Canada were required to provide services in both languagesservices in both languages

Canada becomes Officially Bilingual in 1969Canada becomes Officially Bilingual in 1969

Official Languages Act - 1969Official Languages Act - 1969

met with mixed results – met with mixed results – some embraced the idea some embraced the idea – i.e. French Immersion – i.e. French Immersion classes; others felt classes; others felt French being forced on French being forced on themthemmany Westerners many Westerners angeredangeredmany Francophones not many Francophones not impressed – wanted impressed – wanted ““special statusspecial status” for ” for Québec in ConfederationQuébec in ConfederationTrudeau would not accept Trudeau would not accept this notionthis notion

FLQ Crisis BackgroundFLQ Crisis Background

http://www.cbc.ca/player/http://www.cbc.ca/player/Digital%2BArchives/WarDigital%2BArchives/War

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James Cross ReleasedJames Cross Released

http://www.cbc.ca/player/http://www.cbc.ca/player/Digital%2BArchives/WarDigital%2BArchives/War

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October Crisis - 1970October Crisis - 1970On On October 5, 1970 October 5, 1970 members of the members of the FLQ kidnapped James CrossFLQ kidnapped James Cross, a , a British diplomat, from this Montreal British diplomat, from this Montreal homehomeIn exchange for Cross’s safe release – In exchange for Cross’s safe release – FLQ made several demands, including FLQ made several demands, including release of FLQ members serving prison release of FLQ members serving prison sentences for previous criminal actssentences for previous criminal actsFederal and Québec authorities agreed Federal and Québec authorities agreed to most demands – but refused to to most demands – but refused to release any FLQ prisoners from jailrelease any FLQ prisoners from jailthen FLQ kidnapped Québec Labour then FLQ kidnapped Québec Labour Minister Pierre LaporteMinister Pierre LaporteAlarmed that the situation was out of Alarmed that the situation was out of control – control – Trudeau asked Parliament Trudeau asked Parliament to impose the War Measures Actto impose the War Measures Act civil rights suspended; civil rights suspended; anyone could be arrested and anyone could be arrested and

detained without being charged with detained without being charged with an offense; an offense;

membership in FLQ became a membership in FLQ became a crime; crime;

James CrossPierre Laporte

October CrisisOctober CrisisWhen asked how far he would go When asked how far he would go to defeat the FLQ Trudeau said, to defeat the FLQ Trudeau said, “Just watch me.”“Just watch me.”October 16th – federal troops were October 16th – federal troops were sent to patrol the streets of Ottawa sent to patrol the streets of Ottawa and Montrealand MontrealHundreds of pro-separatist Hundreds of pro-separatist Quebeckers were arrested and Quebeckers were arrested and held without chargeheld without chargeOctober 17th – police found the October 17th – police found the body of Pierre Laporte in the trunk body of Pierre Laporte in the trunk of a car – had been strangledof a car – had been strangledTwo months later – Montreal Two months later – Montreal tracked the group holding Cross in tracked the group holding Cross in a Montreal housea Montreal houseIn return for Cross’ safe release – In return for Cross’ safe release – kidnappers were permitted safe kidnappers were permitted safe passage to Cuba, where they passage to Cuba, where they would be granted political asylumwould be granted political asylumThose detained under the War Those detained under the War Measures Act – releasedMeasures Act – releasedOf 450 people held in detention – Of 450 people held in detention – only 25 ever chargedonly 25 ever charged

Dec 3, 1970 - October Crisis OverDec 3, 1970 - October Crisis Over

Trudeau – Just Watch Me – (5:50)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfUq9b1XTa0