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Quebec & Aboriginal Issues

Quebec & Aboriginal Issues. 1600-1990s. Background to French-English Relations 1600-1944. Until the end of the Seven Years War (1763), What is now Canada was a French Colony of New France Seven Years War: Global conflict involving Britain, France, and their colonies

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Quebec & Aboriginal Issues

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  1. Quebec & Aboriginal Issues 1600-1990s

  2. Background to French-English Relations 1600-1944 • Until the end of the Seven Years War (1763), What is now Canada was a French Colony of New France • Seven Years War: Global conflict involving Britain, France, and their colonies • Canada: British defeat French in Battle of Plains of Abraham • French were out numbered and forced to a conditional surrender

  3. Background to French-English Relations 1600-1944 II • So, in 1763, the French troops were given the right to maintain their Catholic religion (Britain = Church of England) and their French Culture • Treaty of Paris, France gave up New France, were only able to keep a few islands off of Newfoundland • French Canadians felt very betrayed…

  4. Background to French-English Relations 1600-1944 III • 1774, the Quebec Act was passed by the British • This entrenched (established) the rights of French Canadians • This was Canada’s first constitution, and in 1867 Quebec joined Confederation based on the understanding that the rights of French Canadians would be protected • Other key events between 1885 & 1944 that didn’t “help things” between the French and English in Canada: • Metis Leader Louis Riel was executed for second rebellion • Fighting for their rights in SASK. & MAN. • PM Laurier compromised French interests in MAN. Schools controversy • French no longer considered as an official language • The Boer War • British war vs. Dutch Settlers of Boer Republic (S. Africa); ethics were violated • Naval Crisis • Canadian fleet created that could come under control of British (1910) • Conscription issue in WWI and WWII

  5. Modern French-English Relations1950s and 1960s • The Great Darkness: • Maurice Duplessis served as the ‘Union Nationale’ premier of Quebec from 1936-1939, and then from 1944-1959 • He was a “staunch Roman Catholic and a political conservative” • Known as “le chef” (the boss), he would do his very best to avoid English influence at all costs. • Refused financial help from the Federal Government, he was a strong supporter of provincial rights • Era was also characterized as being known for bad working conditions • He was anti-union, often picking battles with them • “La grande noiceur” – the Great Darkness came from this… • 1959, the swinging sixties marked an end of Duplessis – people were tired of the old fashioned techniques, and wanted social change… bye bye Duplessis…

  6. Modern French-English Relations1950s and 1960s II • The Quiet Revolution: • 1960-66 Jean Lesage (Liberal) was the Premier of Quebec. • Campaigned under the slogan Maîtres chez nous – masters of our own house • Lesage was not seeking independence for Quebec, instead wanted more control over decisions that affect it’s future • Essentially, he wanted to create a new and equal partnership with English Canada • Recognized that while small in number, English Quebecois were in control of most business in Quebec • Quebec was now in the midst of a rapid reform and modernization, this was called “la revolution tranquille” • AKA: The Quiet Revolution

  7. The Quiet Revolution • The Quiet Revolution was characterized by: • Secularization (move away from Catholic Church in political affairs) • Strengthening of Welfare State • Massive investments in Public Education • Unionization of Civil Service (government employees) • Measures to control the economy (who had what) • Nationalization of Hydroelectric production and distribution (Hydro-Quebec) • Lesage also sought “special status” for Quebec in order to protect language and culture • Federal Gov’t allowed Quebec to run its own pension plan, loans, and medical insurance • Biggest product of Quiet Revolution = increase in Quebec Nationalism • The “Quebecois” was born… Now or Never! Masters of our own House

  8. Modern French-English Relations1950s and 1960s III • Vive Le Quebec Libre!” • Expo ’67 Montreal, French President Charles DeGaulle ended his speech with this phrase – meaning: “Long live a Free Quebec!” • Encouraged French-Canadian Nationalism and enraged English Canadians • See this slogan in events yet to come… (FLQ)

  9. Modern French-English Relations1950s and 1960s IV • The Official Languages Act, 1969: • PM Trudeau signed the Official Languages Act giving all Canadians the legal right and ability to deal with the Federal government in either French or English • Additionally all products sold in stores across Canada had to be labelled in both French and English • Brought with it the implementation of French Immersion programs across the country as well.

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