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Canada: The Struggle Continues
By, Denis PaPineau
Between 1600 and 1760, the dream ofa
French nation, New France, seemed possible.
The British Conquest and the Proclamation of
1763 that was designed to force French Canada
to give up its language, religion and culture
shattered this.
Fornrnately for French Canada the
American Revolution halted British assimilation
plans. Afraid of revolts in both the American
Colonies and Quebec, the British passed the
Quebec Act in 1774, which gave some
protection to French laws, land rights and
religion.
Despite govemment support for British
immigration to Canada, French Canada still
existed as a rnajor culture by the 1860's. So
another scheme to reduce French influence'
Confederation, was introduced. Under this plan
French Caaada went from having an equal
number ofvotes to that ofEnglish Canada in the
old Union governmenl to being a minority in a
new Federal Govemment of Canada'
Since 1E67, the French have continually
seen their rights and wishes ignored by a hostile
English Canada. In iE85, their hero Riel was
hung. Then in World War I and tr, they were
forced to join and to fight overseas despite
objections.
Finally French Canada had had enough.
In I 976. the people of Quebec elected
Rene
Levesque and the first separatist govemment. It
is only a matler of time now until French Canada
becomes independent.
Denis Papineau is a Professor of History at
Laval (iniversity, Montredl, arid aformer
candidate
for
the ParitQuebecois.
Canada: Two Peoples One Nation
By, Angus Macdonald
In 1760 the British conquered New
France. Yet within 14 years they had passed the
very generous Quebec Act. The British did this
because they realized that respect for the laws,
land rights and religion oftheir former enemies,
would gain them the co-operation necessary to
govern this new colony.
For many years, the French and the
English worked together successfu lly governing
the new colony. By the 1860's, however, it was
clear that a new form of govemment was
needed. Po'litical deadlock in the Canadas, plus
tls economic and defensive advantages of a
larger govemment to include all of Britain's
colonies in North America made Confederation
desirable.
The representatives ofboth French and
English Canada voted to create the new nation
of Canada. Granting provincial govemments
control over such matters as education, religion,
and civil rights protected the cultural rights of
both groups. The new nation was a partnership.
There have been some conflicts between
French and English Canada since 1867. put
usually compromises have been worked but and
power has been shared. For example, we have
had many French Canadian Prime Ministers
such as Laurier, St. Laurent and Trudeau.
That is why most Canadians want to see
Canidi remafi ond nation. It is the reason that
Quebec rejected separatism in the referendum
vote of 1980. Vive Le Canada!
Angus Macdonald is a Professor of History at
York University, Toronto. He is a Liberal
supporter and President of the 'One Conada'
movement.
,
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Determinine Bias and Frame of Reference
Ouestions
1.
In 1$20 words state the
bias of
Mr. Papineau concerning the history ofFrench-
English relations in Canada.
In
15-20 words state the bias of Mr. Macdonald concerning the history ofFrenchEnglish relations in Canada.
3.
Explain how the frame of reference of Mr. Papineau might erplain his bias on the
history of French-English relations.
Explain how the frane of reference of Mr. Macdonald might explain his bias on the
history of French-English relations.
Bias often causes people to select different facts, Show this is true by indicating two
facts that the history of Mr. Papineau had that were not in the history of Mr.
Macdonald.
(a)
(b)
Bias can also lead to dilTerent interpretations of the same fact, Show this is true by
finding @ facts both histories agree on but interpret dilferently.
(a)
(b)