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End of WWII
In May of 1945, Germany surrendered to the allies followed by Japan who surrendered in August after two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The continent of Europe was completly devastated by this war. -
Period: to
Chapter 3
1945-1980 -
Cold War
The Cold War stretched from 1947 until 1991. There was no first-hand conflict in the Cold War but both countries involved (USSR and the USA) supplied weapons for opposing sides. The reason for the Cold War was different societal beliefs (Communism and Capitalism) Both countries tried to impose their beliefs on other countries. In 1950-1953 civil war broke out in Korea. Southern Kora was supported by the USA and the northern part was supported by the USSR. -
Nationalists policies
Maurice Duplessis founded the Union National party. He defended provincial autonomy and had numerous battles with Ottawa. he adopted the Quebec flag in 1948 and introduced the income tax in 1954. He refused federal subsidies in 1951 for education. He also opposed federal allowance payments to Quebec families. -
Consumer Society
In the 1950s working conditions got better, wages were higher and working hours decreased. More Quebecers devote more time to their leisure activities and spend a little more money as credit becomes more accessible (Cars, Appliances). -
Duplessis Era
Duplessis's era in Quebec lasted from 1944 to 1959 when he died. Duplessis was a strong believer in the traditional way of life. Maurice continued to give the Roman Catholic Church control over education, hospitals, orphanages and welfare services. Duplessis idealized rural life because he thought it promoted traditional values such as family life, gratifying work, and religious beliefs. Duplessis made agriculture Quebec's number one economic priority to prevent urbanization. -
Role of state during Duplessis era
The government believed that the state should not intervene within the social or economic sectors. Duplessis let in American investors. He wanted the Americas to invest and built up Quebec and employ people.
Duplessis opposed social progress and served the interests of American investors rather than Quebec workers. There were many strikes like the asbestos strike of 1949. Duplessis did not support the unions, but the employers.
Intellectuals and Journalist did not like Duplessis. -
Indian Residential Schools
Residential schools were failing because of their costs. In 1951 Indians could attend the same schools as white Canadians, but that was up to the provinces. In the '50s and '60s, QC opened new Res schools funded by Fed Gov but influenced by the church.
1. Academic training: Religion played a big role and teacher recruited by religious communities were poorly trained.
2. Practical training: Boys did shoemaking and carpentry, girls did sewing, domestic chores and cooked. -
American Influence
In 1952 first Canadian television station emerged in Montreal and Toronto. At this time 90% of Canadians had at least one TV. Popular Canadians show like Hockey Night in Canada and Wayne and Shuster.
Canadians had access to American television like Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. The popularity of American music, movies, and television concerned Canadian policymakers. Because of this the Massey Commision racomended that Canada needs to be protects from American Influence. -
Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic
From 1953 to 1956 the Canadian government located 100 Inuits further north in the Arctic because they believed that if there were permanent settlements in this area it would support their claim to the Arctic. After WWII vessels started using the passage in the Arctic that linked the North Pacific Ocean with the North Atlantic. Given the low population in this area some countries contested that this land belonged to Canada. -
Natural Growth
Baby boom occurred after WWII. 2 million babies were born from 1945 to 1960 and 30 000 immigrants arrived in the province. The immigrants favored English culture and language. At the end of the 1960's the birthrate was in decline because people got married later more women entered the job market and more means of contraceptive (Birth Control). -
Regional development, urban agglomeration and new arrivals
RD: Modernization of farmlands and when hydro because popular Duplessis sent it to the rural areas. Mining grew a lot and new railways, hydro plants, and mines supported rural regions. UA: Baby baby boomers and immigrants developed cities and suburbs were built. Urban sprawl happened and the car became popular. NA: After the war, many Europian and American immigrants came. Many immigrants who was not just white and English were allowed in. Most of them moved to Ontarion or Quebec. -
Quiet Revolution
Began in 1960 when Jean Lesage and the Parti Liberal defeated the Union Nationale. Time of rapid and far-reaching process of social, economic and politic reform.
Main Features:
1. Increase the role of the state to make gov help QC social and economic development.
2. Modernize QC education because it was behind other provinces. (Free public school and MEQ creation.)
3. Weaken church's influence. Separation of church and state.
Jobs moved away from rural areas and more intellectuals. -
Neo-Nationalism
In this new nationalist movement, the QC Gov not only wanted provincial autonomy but also the recognition go its own identity and distinct status. Quebecers began referring themselves as "Québecois" rather than French Canadians. During the '60s and '70s, more citizens and political parties proposed political sovereignty. People believed that problems like economic underdevelopment of francophones and threats to the French language could be solved if Quebec was its own independendnt coutry. -
Seperation
Quebecers are proud of the recent economic achievements and nationalists sediments start and Quebec independence movement gains popularity.
1. 1967 General de Gaulle of France comes to Montreal and for Expo 67 and yells "Vive le Quebec libre" which lead to an uproar.
2. 1966 Rene Levesque quit Liberal party to form the Mouvement Souverainte association which lead to the creation of the PQ. -
Socio-cultural vitality
Measures taken to affirm cultural identity and establish cultural venues in the '60s allowed artistic and cultural production to flourish. Quebec identity was very important in Quebec artists work. In 1963 Place Des Arts featured famous artists, theatre and dance companies. Michel Tremblay a playwriter and novelist used "Joual" in his plays to show his Quebec distinctiveness. When Metro construction began personalized each station with public art. -
Nationalist laws
In 1961 the office of "Langue Français" was created to promote the French language.
3 Bills passed because of the language issue.
Bill 63: In 1969 this bill was passed to promote the French language.
Bill 22: Passed in 1974 and was the Official Language Act.
Bill 101: Passed in 1977 and was the charter of the French language. Only French signs, if parents didn't go to English school child will go to French school and large companies must speak French and have signs in French. Bill is gone. -
October Crisis
The FLQ (Front de Libération du Québec) kidnapped James Cross and Pierre Laporte. Because of this PM Trudeau put in the War Measures Act and sent in the army. Hundreds of FLQ members were arrested and Laporte was found dead in the trunk of his car. Cross was found alive and he was released. -
Self Determination of of Indigenous nations
Starting in the '70's natives began to assert their conception of the nation. Hydro dams would flood their land that was necessary for a traditional life. Natives demanded Canada and Quebec to recognize their rights and culture.
The main objective is to preserve aboriginal culture, maintaining a traditional life and protecting their territories, language, and resources. Natives and Gov have been negotiating rights since Indian Act. Natives rejected the white paper.
