-
Period: to
1944-1959: Maurice Duplessis as Premier with Union Nationale
In 1944, Maurice Duplessis was elected Premier of Québec, and William Lyon Mackenzie King was Prime Minister. During the next 15 years, new ideas like equalization payments, economic liberalism, and clericalism were introduced. Duplessis also pushed for more power for the province. This time is important because his policies kept people in the dark, which led to union strikes and made many intellectuals and artists want more separation between church and state.
(personal notes) -
Period: to
1945: Act to Promote Rural Electrification
This Act was created because Duplessis was worried about Quebec's economy and believed the province could depend on agriculture. With rural electrification, farms that had electricity were able to produce more, which helped boost the economy in that area. This had a big impact on Quebec because farmers, who felt supported by Duplessis, made up the majority of his voters, which is why he became Premier. (Reflections: p. 213) -
Period: to
1945-1960: Baby Boom
During this time, Maurice Duplessis was the Premier of Quebec, and Canada saw a change in leadership with several different Prime Ministers. A major change during this period was the sharp decline in infant mortality rates, along with a rise in births, which contributed to the baby boom. This era is significant because it highlighted advancements in healthcare, with more births taking place in hospitals and overseen by medical experts.
(Reflections: p. 218) -
Period: to
1947-1991: The Cold War
Quebec saw leadership from various premiers, including Duplessis, Sauvé, Lesage, Johnson Sr., Bertrand, Bourassa, Lévesque, and Johnson, while Canada was led by Prime Ministers Mackenzie King, Laurent, Diefenbaker, Pearson, Trudeau, Clark, Turner, and Mulroney. During the Cold War, Canada allied with the United States against the Soviet Union, driven by their opposing political ideologies. Canada supported the U.S. with arms, while the U.S. invested in Canada's natural resources. -
1948: Adoption of the Fleurdelisé (Québec’s Flag)
Cause:
- Duplessis was dedicated to defending Quebec's provincial autonomy and wanted to keep the federal government out of Quebec's affairs. Effect:
- He introduced Quebec's own provincial flag. Impact:
- This helped foster a stronger "Quebecois" identity, inspiring future premiers to continue advocating for provincial autonomy. class slides p.10 -
1948: Refus Global Manifesto Published
Cause:
- Artists and intellectuals pushed for secularism, but the Duplessis government had strong ties with the church, supporting clericalism. Effect:
- 15 artists signed the Refus Global Manifesto to challenge the church's influence over society. Impact:
- The church was unhappy, and the idea of secularism gained traction.
- A sense of cultural liberation emerged, particularly in the arts. class slides p.14 -
asbestos strike
Cause:
- Miners demanded safer working conditions and higher wages.
- Duplessis viewed unions as communist or socialist and sided with employers. Effect:
- A large strike erupted, and the police responded with forceful suppression. Impact:
- Workers faced mistreatment, leading to increased dislike of Duplessis. class slides pages 14 and 16 -
1951: The Indian Act
Cause:
- Residential schools aimed to assimilate Indigenous children. In 1951, the Indian Act allowed local schooling but added more restrictions. Effect:
- Some children attended local schools, while many still went to residential schools. Impact:
- The legacy of assimilation continued, affecting Indigenous communities. -
Television in Quebec
Cause:
- Duplessis pushed for more control for the province and opposed the equalization system.
- Duplessis refused to surrender powers to take part in federal subsidy programs. Effect:
- A provincial tax was created to boost the provincial economy. Impact:
- Quebec gained more independence, with less interference from the federal government, leading to shifts in society. -
Quebec's income tax
Cause:
- Duplessis pushed for greater provincial autonomy and strongly criticized the equalization system.
- Duplessis refused to relinquish power to participate in federal subsidy programs. Effect:
- A provincial tax was introduced to strengthen the provincial economy. Impact:
- Quebec gained more provincial autonomy with less federal involvement, leading to changes in society. -
1957: Contraception Becomes More Accessible
Cause:
- Women increasingly wanted to work and take on jobs, leaving them with less time to care for a family. Additionally, society was moving away from traditional values. Effect:
- Contraceptives became more accessible, and women began using them. Impact:
- Birth rates dropped significantly, and women gained more control over their bodies, which helped strengthen the feminist movement. class slides p. 42 and 43 -
Americanism
Cause:
- Quebec enjoyed a strong post-war economy, giving people greater purchasing power.
- People began buying TVs and radios. Effect:
- Increased exposure to American society, culture, and values (Americanism) through television and other forms of media. Impact:
- A shift in Quebec's society as its values and culture began to align more closely with American influences. class slides p. 17,26 -
Period: to
1960-1970: Rise of Consumer Society
Throughout this period, Canada saw leadership changes with Diefenbaker, Pearson, and Trudeau as Prime Ministers, while Quebec was led by Premiers Lesage, Johnson, and Bertrand. The post-WWII consumer society expanded rapidly, with wages in Quebec rising faster than prices, making a wide range of goods more accessible, and boosting leisure activities. This era was important as it marked continued economic growth and further modernization in Quebec. Reflections p. 242 to 243 -
Bill 16 (Advancements in women's rights)
Cause:
- The feminist movement, led by Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, demanded gender equality.
- Women wanted to have control over their own lives and no longer be considered their husbands' property. Effect:
- Bill 16 was passed, allowing women to conduct financial transactions and sign or approve legal documents without their husband's consent. Impact:
- This marked a major step forward in modernizing Quebec, improving women's rights, and satisfying feminist movements. class slides p. 43 -
1965+: Birth Rate Drops in Québec
Cause:
- Women entering the workforce, the use of contraception, and changing attitudes toward family size led to a decline in birth rates. Effect:
- Quebec's demographic shifted, and the baby boom slowed down. Impact:
- The decrease in birth rates highlighted that large families were no longer as significant. Reflections: p.240 -
1967: Establishment of CEGEP
Cause:
- Low education levels among French Canadians and the need to recover from the Duplessis government's negative impact on education led to the establishment of CEGEP.
- Daniel Johnson aimed to improve education in Quebec. Effect:
- CEGEP was created to address these issues and offer better educational opportunities. Impact:
- The establishment of CEGEP remains significant, as CEGEPs continue to be popular and widely attended by Quebecers today. -
1967: Expo 67 – Showcasing Québec’s Identity to the World
Cause:
- Quebec aimed to establish a stronger identity and wanted to be a part of Expo 67. Effect:
- Place des Arts showcased Quebec's art and culture.
- The Montreal Metro was built and opened.
- Technological advancements, such as the Metro, were highlighted. Impact:
- Quebec gained international recognition, putting itself on the global stage.
- The developments helped shape Quebec's identity, strengthening Quebec nationalism. class slides p. 37 -
October Crisis – FLQ Kidnappings & War Measures Act
Cause:
- The FLQ grows more determined in their push for separation.
- They target Anglophone symbols of power, such as the Montreal Stock Exchange and Westmount homes. Effect:
- James Cross and Pierre Laporte are kidnapped and held hostage.
- Pierre Laporte is murdered.
- The War Measures Act is enacted. Impact:
- Tensions between francophones and anglophones increase.
- The War Measures Act is introduced.
- Support for the FLQ declines.
- The Parti Québécois gains strength.
pg.46 class slide -
1970: Introduction of Québec’s Medicare System (Health Insurance Act)
Cause:
- In 1970, the Bourassa government introduced the Health Insurance Act, which expanded health care coverage beyond just hospitalization.
Effect:
- Quebecers gained access to free healthcare through Medicare, and community clinics, such as the CLSC, were established. Impact:
- CLSCs became the main community clinics in Quebec and continue to play a central role in the healthcare system. class slides pages 50 to 54 -
Period: to
1970-1976: Robert Bourassa (Liberal Party of Québec)
In this era, Quebec saw significant changes under the leadership of Premier Bourassa and Prime Minister Trudeau. Health care was made free, the province's economic growth was boosted through hydroelectric development, and French was established as the sole official language. This time is important because Bourassa played a key role in preserving the prominence of the French language and culture, ensuring it did not lose ground to English. Reflections p. 254-263 -
Period: to
1970-1980: Arrival of Refugees from Vietnam, Laos, & Haiti
During this period, Quebec was led by Premiers Bertrand, Bourassa, and Lévesque, while Canada saw Prime Ministers Trudeau and Clark. In an effort to strengthen its culture and language, Quebec began welcoming many Haitian and Vietnamese immigrants. This was made possible by the Trudeau government's multiculturalism policy, which facilitated easier immigration. As a result, Canada’s cultural landscape expanded, while the French language in Quebec was further reinforced. -
1971: James Bay Hydroelectric Project Announced
Cause:
- Bourassa recognized the potential for economic and technological growth through the development of hydroelectricity. Effect:
- The project was initiated without consulting Indigenous communities about the impact on their territory. impact:
- The project was paused due to Indigenous protests, leading to a court case and ultimately the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. class slides pg. 47 and Mr Streeter -
Period: to
1973-1980: The Oil Crises & Economic Downturn
At this time, Canada had two different Prime Ministers, Trudeau and Clark, while Quebec was led by Premiers Bourassa and Levesque. The Arab-Israeli war caused OPEC to hike oil prices, which led to an oil shortage and halted economic growth in Western countries. As a result, inflation rose, unemployment increased, and debt grew, signalling a period of economic decline. This era is significant because it led to reduced spending and a decline in Quebec's economic well-being. mine and friends notes -
Period: to
1976-1985: René Lévesque (Parti Québécois)
Under the leadership of Premier Levesque in Quebec and Prime Ministers Trudeau and Clark in Canada, significant political and economic events unfolded. A referendum on Quebec sovereignty was held, Bill 101 was passed, and the province faced an economic downturn. This era is notable because Quebec came very close to becoming its own independent nation. Reflections p. 266 to 270 -
1977: Automobile Insurance act
Cause:
- During Levesque’s time in government, he implemented a series of reforms to address long-standing issues, including the introduction of the Automobile Insurance Act. Effect:
- The Act introduced no-fault insurance and established compensation standards for road accident victims. impact:
- Road safety improved with the availability of free healthcare and compensation, making driving safer.