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Duplessis Era
Maurice Duplessis was Quebecs Premier from 1936-1939 and again from 1944-1959. He promoted foreign investment, upheld catholic control over education, and suppressed labour unions. He resisted federal influence, emphasizing Quebec's autonomy. His policies delayed modernization, strengthening church influence and limiting social progress. After his death, Québec rapidly secularized, sparking the Quiet Revolution. -
Act to Promote Rural Electrification
- Québec Premier: Maurice Duplessis (Union Nationale).
- The Act to Promote Rural Electrification was passed in 1945, leading to the creation of rural electricity cooperatives.
- The government offered subsidies to encourage farmers to adopt electricity, improving productivity and quality of life.
- This period marked the first major step in bringing electricity to rural Québec, reducing the gap between urban and rural areas.
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Baby Boom
Québec had Premiers Duplessis, Sauvé and Lesage during the baby boom. A population surge increased demand for schools, healthcare, and jobs. Industrialization and consumerism grew, while social values slowly shifted. The boom fueled economic growth and later reforms, driving the Quiet Revolution and modernization. -
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Cold War
Québec had Premiers Duplessis, Sauve, Lesage, Johnson, Bertrand, Bourassa and Lévesque. during the cold war. Tensions between the U.S. and USSR influenced Canadian defense policies. Québec saw growing nationalism, the Quiet Revolution, and debates over sovereignty. The Cold War fueled economic growth, technological advancements, and political shifts, shaping Québec’s modernization and nationalist movements. -
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Immigration from Western & Eastern Europe and China
William Lyon Mackenzie King was in power during this time. During the period of immigration from Western Eastern Europe and China, significant political, social, and economic changes occurred, including the rise of nativist movements, the development of multicultural policies, and the impact of immigration on the labor market and cultural landscape. This is significant due to its impact on the demographic composition, cultural diversity, and economic dynamics. -
Adoption of the Fleurdelisé (Québec’s Flag)
- Maurice Duplessis was in power at this time.
- This was major because it was reflecting a growing sense of provincial identity and a push for autonomy.
- It marked the first time a Canadian province adopted its own distinctive flag, solidifying Quebec's identity and symbolizing its French heritage and cultural uniqueness
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Refus Global Manifesto Published
- Maurice Duplessis and William Lyon Mackenzie King were in power.
- The Refus Global manifesto was a reaction against the conservative political climate in Québec.
- Driven by dissatisfaction with the dominance of the Catholic Church in education, politics, and cultural life.
- Considered a precursor to the Quiet Revolution, which led to the modernization of Québec.
- It contributed to the decline of the Catholic Church’s influence over politics and education.
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Asbestos Strike
- The Asbestos Strike of 1949 occurred under Premier Maurice Duplessis and Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent.
- 5,000 miners protested poor conditions and low wages.
- Harsh repression fueled demands for social justice, union rights, and economic reform.
- This strike is seen as a catalyst for the Quiet Revolution, shaping Québec’s modernization and weakening Duplessis’ conservative rule.
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Majority of Immigrants Come from Italy
In the 1950s, under Premier Maurice Duplessis and Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, Italian immigration to Québec surged due to post-war labor demands. These immigrants settled mainly in Montréal, contributing to economic growth and cultural diversity. While Duplessis upheld conservative policies, immigration fueled urbanization and social change. This period helped shape Québec’s modernization by expanding its workforce and laying the foundation for a more multicultural society. -
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Korean War
The Korean War occurred while Maurice Duplessis and Louis St. Laurent were in power. Canada played a significant role in the war effort, sending thousands of troops as part of a United Nations coalition. Québec remained largely conservative under Duplessis, resisting modernization, while the rest of Canada experienced economic growth and increased global involvement. This set the stage for Québec’s Quiet Revolution. -
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Suburban Development Expands
In the 1950s, under Premier Maurice Duplessis and Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, suburban development expanded due to economic growth and infrastructure investments. Government investments in infrastructure led to rapid suburbanization, particularly around cities like Montréal. Duplessis resisted social change, maintaining conservative policies. Urbanization set the stage for Québec’s Quiet Revolution, driving demands for modernization and government reform. -
Arrival of Television in Québec
- The federal government and private companies saw TV as a tool for nation-building and cultural influence, particularly in shaping Canadian identity.
- Television became a powerful tool for education, entertainment, and political discourse, influencing public opinion on major issues like Québec nationalism.
- Television played a key role in the Quiet Revolution (1960s), accelerating the decline of the Catholic Church’s influence in Québec.
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Québec Introduces Provincial Income Tax (Fiscal Autonomy)
- In 1954, under Premier Maurice Duplessis, Québec introduced its own provincial income tax to gain greater financial independence from the federal government.
- The Québec government established a separate tax system, requiring residents to file both federal and provincial tax returns.
- Québec’s fiscal autonomy laid the foundation for later economic and social reforms, including major investments during the Quiet Revolution (1960s).
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Vietnam War & Canadian Opposition
During the Vietnam War (1955–1975), Québec was led by premiers Jean Lesage and Daniel Johnson Sr., and prime ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. Canada saw strong opposition to the war, especially in Québec. Socially, this period saw youth activism rise, and economically, Canada benefited without direct involvement. The war’s opposition strengthened Québec’s push for independence and modernization, reinforcing its distinct identity and desire for political change. -
Contraception Becomes More Accessible
- Until the 1960s, contraception was heavily restricted in Québec due to the influence of the Catholic Church, which opposed birth control.
- Rising feminist movements and changing social attitudes pushed for reproductive rights and family planning access.
- In 1969, the Criminal Code was amended to decriminalize contraception in Canada.
- Increased access to contraception empowered women, contributing to lower birth rates and increased participation in education and the workforce.
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Rise of Consumer Society in Québec
- Post-World War II economic growth and urbanization led to rising incomes, increased industrial production, and the expansion of the middle class.
- Shopping malls, supermarkets, and credit systems expanded, transforming how people accessed goods and services.
- It led to shifts in labor and business practices, with increased focus on service industries and mass production.
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Rise of Americanism (Influence from the USA in Media & Culture)
- After World War II, Québec experienced rapid urbanization and economic growth, making it more exposed to American culture through television, movies, music, and advertising.
- American fashion, music (rock roll, jazz), and fast food chains became widespread, influencing Québec’s cultural identity and daily life.
- Americanism contributed to Québec’s modernization but also fueled nationalist movements seeking to preserve Québec’s distinct French identity.
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Chilean Refugees Arrive in Canada & Québec
In the 1970s, under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Québec Premier Robert Bourassa, Canada welcomed Chilean refugees fleeing the 1973 coup. This period saw Québec modernize through social programs, economic growth, and increased immigration. The arrival of refugees shaped Québec’s multicultural identity and humanitarian role. -
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Quiet Revolution
During the 1960s, Premier Jean Lesage and Prime Ministers Diefenbaker, Pearson, and Trudeau led major reforms in Québec. The Quiet Revolution secularized education, expanded social programs, and nationalized hydroelectricity. These changes modernized Québec, reducing church influence and fueling the sovereignty movement. -
Establishment of CEGEPs and Université du Québec Network
- During the Quiet Revolution (1960s), Québec sought to modernize its education system and improve access to higher education, especially for Francophones.
- CEGEPs were introduced as a free, public post-secondary system offering pre-university and technical programs, making education more accessible.
- They reduced educational inequalities between Francophones and Anglophones, strengthening Québec’s national identity and autonomy.
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Bill 16 – Married Women Gain Legal Independence (Led by Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain)
- Before the 1960s, Québec’s Civil Code treated married women as legal minors, requiring their husbands’ permission for financial and legal decisions.
- In 1964, the Québec government passed Bill 16, granting married women the right to sign contracts, open bank accounts, and own property without their husband’s approval.
- Bill 16 paved the way for future feminist movements and further legal protections for women in Québec.
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Arrival of Refugees from Vietnam, Laos, & Haiti
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, under Prime minister Pierre Trudeau and Québec Premier René Lévesque, Canada welcomed refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Haiti. This period saw major social and political shifts, including Québec’s push for sovereignty and expanded immigration policies. Economically, Québec was modernizing with a growing service sector and government-led reforms. The arrival of these refugees enriched Québec’s multicultural identity. -
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The Oil Crises & Economic Downturn
From 1970s-1980s, under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Québec Premier Robert Bourassa, the oil crises led to economic downturns, high inflation, and unemployment. Politically, Québec saw rising separatist movements, while socially, economic struggles started debates on government intervention. Québec modernized by investing in hydroelectric projects and expanding its social safety net. This period shaped Québec’s economic resilience and strengthened its push for greater autonomy. -
Bill 101 – The Charter of the French Language
- By the 1970s, English dominated business and education in Québec, creating economic disparities between Francophones and Anglophones.
- Bill 101 made French the official language of government, workplaces, and commercial signage, limiting the use of English in public institutions.
- Bill 101 solidified French as the dominant language in Québec, strengthening Francophone culture and identity.
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Second Oil Crisis
- Political instability in the Middle East, combined with ongoing tensions from the 1973 oil crisis, created uncertainty in energy markets.
- Oil prices more than doubled, causing inflation, rising costs of living, and economic slowdown across Canada, including Québec.
- The crisis reinforced Québec’s commitment to renewable energy, leading to major hydroelectric projects like the James Bay Project.