“La Grande Noirceur ”

“La Grande Noirceur” The Duplessis Years 1945-1959

1. General Info • A) He was in power from 1931-1939 AND 1944-1959… • A VERY LONG TIME • B) He is the leader of the “Union Nationale” party in Quebec. • C) What he promoted: French-Canadian Nationalism, Catholic values and agriculture. • D) VERY TRADITIONAL

1. General Info • E) He wanted more PROVINCIAL autonomy. • He didn’t want ANY help from the federal government. • F) He came up with the “Back to the Land” movement during the Great Depression.

2. The economy was booming during this time • War torn countries needed supplies to rebuild • Mineral production also increased. … it was only after the Second World War... That a mad scramble began for the region’s natural redources. The huge iron ore deposits... First attracted the attention of the great American iron and steel firms, whose reserves were exhausted.

This increased production had an impact on the people: • Labour struggles • Increase in purchasing power (people have more money to buy things) • Increase in number of people working in the tertiary sector

It also had an impact on the land • Development of cities and suburbs • Expansion of road network

3. Economic Standpoint • A) He left the economy up to the Americans • B) He was ANTI-UNION • C) He emphasized a TRADITIONAL economy (farming etc.)

3. Who liked him? • A) The Church: Because he gave them a lot of money. • He let them have control over education, health and charities. • B) Rural communities: They liked his TRADITIONAL ways. • His government would encourage projects that favored RURAL areas. (roads, electricity, etc) • C) Big Business: He favored ownership over workers in labour disputes.

4. Who didn’t like him? • A) Secularist Intellectuals: Many Quebeckers thought Quebec was “backwards” and questioned the Church’s involvement in state affairs. (Pierre Trudeau, Andre Laurendeau) • B) Anglophones and Urban dwellers: They felt the policies of the Duplessis government did nothing for them.

4. Who didn’t like him cont. • C) Unions: Thought the gov’t wasn’t doing much to protect the rights of workers. • Example: The Padlock Law: was aimed at targeting communists (which was considered a bad thing at this time) but was used against union groups in general. • The provincial gov’t would LITERALLY put a lock on a business that was considered “communist”

5. Cultural trends during the Duplessis years • A) Americanism: TV’s were introduced during the 50’s and spread US culture. • B) Growth of SECULARISM: People started to realize that they didn’t like what Duplessis was doing. They didn’t think the church should have a role in the gov’t.

5. Cultural trends cont. • C) All across Canada feminismand urbanization continue to grow. • D) Duplessis introduced the Fleur-de-Lis as the official flag of Quebec

5. Cultural trends cont. • E) Cooperatism: everyone works together and COOPERATES. They put all of their resources together. • F) Agriculturism: Promoting agricultural life

The “Quiet Revolution” Quebec in the 1960’s

1. General Info • A) When Duplessisdied his Union Nationale gov’t was replaced by Jean Lesage and the Liberals. • B) Lesage is in power from 1960-66 • C) This is considered the beginning of the Quiet Revolution in Quebec.

1. General info • D) The Quiet Revolution was basically major changes in the SOCIAL, ECONOMIC and POLITICAL aspects of Quebec society. • E) The slogan for this time period is “Maitre Chez Nous” or “Masters of our own House”

2. Economy Definitions: • A) Nationalization: A company that used to be owned and controlled by people, that is then controlled by the gov’t. Example: Hydro Quebec B) Crown Corporation: A company owned by the gov’t. Example: My brother Adam works for a Crown Corporation in Ottawa. It’s called Export Development Canada

3. Economic Policies • A) Quebec needs to take back control of their economy from the United States. • B) Direct Intervention: Companies were “nationalized” and crown corporations were established. • C) The Labour Code was developed to facilitate bargaining between the gov’t, the unions and the workers.

4. Culture during the Quiet Revolution • A) The development of French Canadian Nationalism • B) The Quebec that came out during the Quiet Revolution was a province with a strong identity. • C) Some people saw Quebec as a nation with a distinct culture and language. They began to question the place of Quebec within Canada.

4. Culture continued • D) In 1968, the Parti Quebecois was formed in the province. • They were a political party who wanted political independence for Quebec from Canada. • This is also known as the movement for Quebec sovereignty.

4.Culture continued • E) People against separation are known as FEDERALISTS. • F) Why separation? Sovereigntists believe that it is the best way to defend the economic, political and cultural interests of the French Canadian Nation.

5. Other changes • A) Education: The gov’t takes control. • Ministry of education is created. • School is made compulsory to age 15. • B) Social services: Gov’t takes control of the healthcare system. • Medicare free for all citizens. • Pension plan is introduced to help those over 65.

“La Grande Noirceur ”