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La Grande Noirceur
Maurice Duplessis' time as premier of Quebec from 1944 to his death in 1959 is commonly know as the "Grande Noirceur". This was due to his conservative policies. He advocated Quebecs autonomy, economic liberalism and a traditional way of life while keeping close ties to the church. He did however push to modernize QC's agriculture. -
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Baby Boom
The years between 1945 and 1960 are called the "Baby Boom" due to a sudden increase in birthrate. This is due to a period of economic prosperity 30 years after the war, lower infant mortality, the influence of the church and a traditional way of life. The Baby Boom lasted during Maurice Duplessis era. With the Quiet Revolution, women gained access to birth control and contraception, the church lost its influence and birth rate decreased. They become hippies and challenge traditional values. -
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The Cold War
The USSR and the USA fought together during the second world war but due to differing political ideologies (capitalism, democracy vs communism, totalitarian) engaged in a cold war characterized by propaganda and proxy wars. Among other things, this led to Canada's economic development due too the USA's need for Canada's exported raw materials. -
Refus Global Manifesto
Maurice Duplessis was strongly opposed by both artists and intellectuals who mainly wanted secularization and opposed social conservatism. In 1948, a group of 15 artists published the Refus Global manifesto that pretty much blamed Duplessis' government for Quebecs "cultural lag". -
Adoption of the "Fleurdelisé"
- Although not separatist, Duplessis advocated Quebec autonomy and wanted it to be recognized as culturally distinct from the rest of Canada
- This need for a Quebec identity led to the creation a new flag in 1948
- It's almost the same as today's
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Asbestos Strike
Duplessis was strongly opposed to labour unions. When 5000 asbestos miners went on strike for better working condition and better pay, he declared it illegal and they where consequently brutally suppressed by the police. Strikes like this one is what eventually led to the Quebec working condition we now have today. -
Inauguration of the Voie Maritime du St. Laurent
- The USA and the USSR fought together in the second world war which ended in 1945
- Political ideologies (capitalist democratic vs. communist totalitarian) led to a cold war and consequently an arms race
- The USA turned to Canada to supply the necessary raw materials
- In 1954, as an effort to meet this demand, both Canadian and American governments financed the building of this seaway
- It facilitated access to the great lakes and thus the American market, facilitated trade
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Jean Lesage's Government
Jean Lesage was the liberal premier of Quebec after Sauvé and after Duplessis. He introduced the welfare state where the state takes care of you from "cradle to grave". As part of this more interventionist approach, he secularised social services making them government run. Schooling became free and compulsory until the age of 15. He also created free health care and a workers pension plan. -
Inauguration of the maison du Quebec in Paris
- Jean Lesage wanted to promote Quebecois culture
- Set up a government office in Paris, France (among other francophone countries) inaugurated in 1961
- Meant to promote francophone immigration to Quebec, help preserve QC's language and thus culture
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Union National Wins Provincial Election (1966)
- Union National wins provincial election under Daniel Johnson
- Although still "Union National" no social conservatism
- Johnson continues the progressiveness of the Quiet Revolution
- Creates among other things, CEGEPs
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Expo 67
- Quiet Revolution changed QC's relationship to the world (more open, more travelling)
- Expo 67 gave QC the opportunity to culturally discover other countries
- It also attracted many tourists (50 million came to visit the pavilions) allowing QC to represent itself as a modern society through its economy, arts and technologies
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Official Languages Act
- Quiet Revolution disrupts QC--Ottawa relations (sovereignty)
- Prime minister Lester B. Pearson creates a commission to study the situation and to show Canada's openness to QC's demands
- Commission submitted its report to Trudeau (next Prime minister) who established the Official Languages Act in 1969
- This made English and french the two official languages of Canada