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The Sixties: A Decade of Sweeping Changes
Issues/Events/?ersonalities and their significance to French-English relations
The Background
Since its birth 125 years ago, Canada has been home to two major ethnic groups:
French and English. In 1867 these two groups joined in a parlnership to establish one of
the greatest countries in the world. There have been however, several problems which
the French and English have not always seen eye to eye. Issues ranglng from the
Manitoba Schools Act to Conscription in the World Wars have served to separate the two
groups and divide our nation.
The root of most of the disagreements has been Quebec's IINDERSTANDABLE
concern towards its ability to maintain its distinction as a French-speaking, Catholic
province within Canada.
Maurice Duplessis
. frotn 1936-7939 and 1944-59, Maurice Duplessis,
.
.
o
was the lead.er of the Union
Nationale party, was Premier of Quebec.
(Ia) Survivance: Conservative in nature, the Duplessis government promoted the
maintenance of the traditional values, beliefs, and institutions of Quebec.
To protect Quebec's interests he was a strong supporter of provincial rights and
limiting the powers of the federal government
Wanted Quebec to be self-sufficient and unfortunately he was wrong. The problem
was at the time very few French-Canadians were educated or knowledgable in
industry of manufacturing. @rimarily a rural and agrarian society).
Jean Lesage
. 1960's election Lesage's Liberals assumed power in Quebec.
o He introduces tn 1962 the "maitre chez nous" (master in our own house) philosophy
The goals of the Lesage Government:
1. Modernization of Quebec;
2. Ensure the survival of French language and culture in Quebec;
3. Achieve full equality in the Canadian partrrership;
4. Put the Quebec economy in the hands of the citizens of Quebec.
. Relied heavily on his young reform-minded minister Rene Levesque. Levesque was
an extremely popular and respected figure in Quebec.
. "Quiet Revolution" a non-violent period of steady social reform in Quebec (1960-66).
. There were 3 main views that emerged during this period on how to achieve the goals
of Quebec:
1. Federalists: by participating more in federal politics to influence the government
of Canada.
2. Nationalists: by maintaining fewer ties with the rest of Canada to allow more
independent decision making in Quebec.
3. iVlilitants: by violent revoiution ieading to complete independence.
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Rene Levesque:
.
r
r
.
Resigted from the Liberal Party to start his own separatist parfy.
Separatist: maintain that the future of Quebec can be best guaranteed by securing
peacefu1ly complete political independence.
fu 1968 many different separatist groups joined to form one political party, the Parti
Quebecois. The party dedicated itself to peaceful separation &om Canada, and all
violent methods and groups were condemned.
LevesQue was elected its first leader and by the 1970 election the Parti Quebecois had
received 23Yo of the votes. The separatist cause was gaining momentum.
In 1963 the Royal Commission
on Bilingualism and Bicuituralism was formed to find
ways to improve relations befween French-English Canadians. (Look at textbook)
o
.
.
fu 1964 Lesage secured the right to opt out of major cost-sharing program (like
the
Plan).
Canada Pension
Rest of Canada was upset that only Quebec was given the right to "opt out" with full
compensation.
Special Stafus: meaning special rights, privileges, and concessions
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Charles de
Gau
By the dme Expo '67 opened" mary
Canadiars were hoi:ing they could
forget their differences and ceiebrate
their uniry Many heads of sate and
dignitaries from around the world
'to dre fair, induding Queen
carne
Flizabeth
lVis it to
tte's
0uebec
,
[.
Quebec also invited President
Charles de Gaulle of France. He
accepted, witlout consuJting the
Canadir! government, as' protocol
requted- Prime Miaister Pearson was
' Figure F16 French premier Charles de Gaulle is tmiled by
rlot pleasecyiolate
De Gaulle continued to
: reporters and security agents as he motors through Monb'eal.
t..
protocol by going to Quebec fust
it .
flew
He
to
St.
Pier=e and
before visiting Ottawaintended as a raliving cry for Quebec independence,
rMiquelon (island colonies of France offthe coast of t or had tb.ey been blurted out in the heat of the
Newfor:ndlrnd). From there he sailed on a French
moment)
naval vessel to Wolfe's Cove below Quebec
The eveBt cercainly placed the'federal goyernCity. By mubbing Canada, de Gaulte seemed to be ' ment in an awkvard diplomatic position- De Gaulle
saying that he recognized Quebec
eign state.
was scheduled to visit Ottawa before returning to
' .Frarce. How could the government deai with this
.situation withouc dividing the counu-F even more?
The situation was resolved by de Gaul-le himself
as a quasi-sover-
The motorcade that took de Gaulle from
Quebec City to Montreal was a well-ordrestrated
show. Members of che separatist party
Rassemblement pour l'independance Nationale
GI\D ser up sigas and cheering sections at stategic
points along the way. Some of {e placards rhat de
Gaulle saw read "Qudbec Libre-"
Later, at Monu'eai Ciry Hail, a huge crowd
booed during dre singing of "O Canada.o Ee Gaulle
seized the moment and walked out onto the small
balcony to make a shorc speech. To witd cb.eers, he
said, "Vive Montr64 vive le Qu6bec, vive ie Qu6bec
i-ibre, vive le Canada-Fra-ngais, et vive la France.o
The last tsro pronouncerae.nts were drowned out by
the deafe',i.'g response from the crowd.
This was .to become x defining moment in
Cqn"dian history Mzny Crnafi65 were stum.edEven Rea6 L6vesque could not believe his ea$Specrrlation mor:nted-. Were de GaulLe's remarls
'
-=
I
I
I
. 'who cancelled the visic
Mayor Jeaa Drapeau of Montreal calmed the
situation somervhat by saying, 'Tf we serye our
country better as Canadi"''s of French origin, so rve
.. serye France beaer and our huurenity better ... "
Da-niel Joh''son, fie Union Nationale premier
of Quebec, was more bh:ae As de Gaulle was flying
.' home, he quipped: 'nVe[, de Gau]le is nowup in the
arr, and so are we."
What Do You lhink?
1
.
You are
a
joumalist covering the visit of Charles de Gaulle
to Canada in 1 967. Record two 0r tlree snippets of conversations you overhear at the evenl Remember that the
event is taking place in French Canada. Which snippet
makes the best quote? WhY?
Hofrtlcs rn uanaoa zJJ
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Quebec in the 60's
The Quiet Revolution
1. Why is the death of Duplessis such an important point in Quebec's
history?
2. Describe the policies and government of Duplessis.
3. What were the goals of the Quiet Revolution?
4. What types of changes were introduced by Lesage's government?
5. How is the growth of French Canadian Art and Music reflect the
Quiet Revolution?
6. 3 groups separate political ideas emerged from the quiet revolution.
Describe each idea and list the key people who back them.
Charles de Gaulle's Visit to Quebec
1. What was happening in Quebec in 1967?
2. How did de Gaulle insult Lester Pearson before saying a word?
3. Why were the words: "Vive le Quebec Libre" so powerful?
4. Do you feel de Gaulle intended to cause such a problem for Canada?
5. What was meant by the statement: "Well de Gaulle is up in the air,
and so are we."
Quebec's evolution can be understood by examining three phrases and the people who
represented them.
Duplessis
La Survivance
Lesage
Maitre Chez Nous
Levesque
Vive le Quebec Libre