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La Survivance, Maitre Chez Nous & Vive le Quebec Libre Introduction to French/English Relations

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Background Canada was born in 1867 as a partnership between two major ethnic groups French & English However, since the beginning their have been major problems between these two groups For example: The Manitoba Schools Act & the Conscription Crisis The root of these conflicts is Quebecs concern about its ability to maintain its distinction as a French Speaking, Catholic province

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Maurice Duplessis Premier of Quebec from 1936- 1939 & 1944-1959 Leader of the Union Nationale Party La Survivance Survival - promoted traditional values and institutions in Quebec Under Duplessis, Quebec became backwards Education was controlled by the Catholic Church, highest dropout rate in Canada, high poverty rates English businessmen dominated Quebecs economy while most French held low paying jobs or were farm labourers

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Jean Lesage Lesage was the Premier of Quebec through most of the 60s Introduced Maitre Chez Nous masters in our own house Unhappy with Quebecs 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 Quebecs economy in the hands of French Canadians One the most important members of his government was the young Rene Levesque

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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

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The Effects of the Quiet Rev. 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. e.g. 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

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Expo 67 In 1967, Canada turned 100 and created a huge exhibition in Montreal 62 Nations participated and it had over 50 million visitors Many leaders and VIPs from around the world came to Montreal One such man was Charles De Gaulle, the president of France De Gaulle was given a heroes welcome by French Canadians Before going to the Expo, De Gaulle made a public speech from Montreals city hall. In the speech he said Vive Le Quebec Libre Long Live Free Quebec

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The Impact of Vive le Quebec Libre De Gaulles speech hit Canada like a bomb P.M. 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 Quebecois In 1968, many separatist groups came together to form the Parti Quebecois Rene Levesque was elected as the first leader of the PQ By 1970, the PQ had won 23% of the vote in Quebec The separatist cause was gaining strength

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Key Points Maurice Duplessis La Survivance (Survival) kept Quebec traditional Quebec fell behind the rest of Canada Jean Lesage Maitre Chez Nous (masters in our own house) modernize Quebec, equality with Canada Quiet Revolution Quebec becomes less Catholic, less traditional, more modern and politically active Vive le Quebec Libre Long live free Quebec said at Expo 67 by DeGaulle Rene Levesque starts the Parti Quebecois dedicated to seperatism