[1945-1980] The Modernization of Québec & The Quiet Revolution

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    Baby Boom

    After WW||, birth rates increased drastically. This increased about of babies and families growing increased demand for more housing, education and jobs! This led to increased population in Quebec (and most places in Canada), the need for education, healthcare, urban expansion and overall economic growth. (Page 218 Reflections).
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    The Duplessis Era

    The premier of Quebec was Maurice Duplessis (Union Nationale). The Prime Ministers of Canada were William Lyon Mackenzie King,Louis St.Laurent and John Diefebaker. Duplessis focused on rural conservatism,Catholic influence(for example on education and healthcare),and provincial autonomy (Page 211,214,215 Reflections).Due to Duplessis's policies related to education and healthcare, it delayed Quebec's Modernization, ultimately leading to the public pushing for more social progress in the future.
  • Act to Promote Rural Electrification

    Act to Promote Rural Electrification
    During this time, many rural communities lacked electricity, limiting ecomnomic growth and modern living. Duplessis decided to expand electricity to these areas, ultimatley improving farm productivity! Later on however, Hydro-Quebec would take full control over Quebec's Electricity. (Page 213 Reflections)
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    Immigration from Western & Eastern Europe and China

    Between 1945 and 1960, Quebec experienced a rise in immigration (20000-30000 immigrants per year). (Page 219 Reflections). This shaped Quebecs Modernization by increasing urbanization, workforce diversity, and economic growth, which slowly shifted Quebec away from its traditional rural focus.
  • Adoption of the Fleurdelisé

    Adoption of the Fleurdelisé
    Quebec lacked an official flag reflecting its french heritage so the Fleurdelisé became Quebecs official flag! This strengthened Quebec nationalism.
  • Refus Global Manifesto Published

    Refus Global Manifesto Published
    Intellectuals and artists opposed Duplessis’ conservative rules and policies relating to the Churches control over society so they published a manifesto entitled Refus global. They wanted to publicly protest against social conservatism. The impact this event had on Quebec's future was that it is in a way, related to how the Quiet Revolution pushed for secularism, education reform and an overall cultural change. (Page 216 Reflections)
  • Asbestos Strike

    Asbestos Strike
    Workers demanded better wages and conditions but instead of listening, Duplessis sided with the employers. This caused a violent conflict between workers and the government however this did stregthen labor unions and increased calls for economic reform and workers rights.
  • Arrival of Television in Québec

    Arrival of Television in Québec
    When television came to Québec due to advances in media technology, it caused many things to happen! Some examples are that it spread American culture, promoted products (that potentially impacted economy in a positive way), secular ideas and modern values. This helped and pushed Québec towards more modernization and consumerism for the future. (Pages 217, 218 Reflections)
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    The Quiet Revolution

    During this time the Premier of Quebec was Jean Lesage(Liberal). While the liberal party was in power (196-1966),Lesage's Liberal government launched major secular, social and economic reforms, removing church control and modernizing Quebec. After Lesage,a new premier was elected however still continued in Lesage's footsteps.The general public were very content with this.The Quiet revolution shaped Quebec by changing the face of Quebec's society and modernizing Quebec.(Pages224-233Reflections)
  • Election of Jean Lesage’s Liberal Government

    Election of Jean Lesage’s Liberal Government
    Jean Lesage's was elected in 1960 after the general public were left frustrated with Duplessis's outdated policies revolving the churches control over things. Lesage's government introduced major modernizing reforms. This started the Quiet Revolution making Quebec more progressive and economically independent. (Page 224 Reflections)
  • Nationalization of Electricity

    Nationalization of Electricity
    Private companies controlled electricity which kept prices very high for it until Hydro-Quebec became a government owned company. Quebec gained economic control over its energy recourses, boosting modernization and industrialization. (Page 230, Reflections)
  • Creation of the Ministry of Education

    Creation of the Ministry of Education
    Quebec's schools were underfunded and controlled by the church, until the government secularized education and improved it's access. This created a more skilled workforce which supported economic and social modernization. (Page 226 Relfections)
  • Bill 16 – Married Women Gain Legal Independence

    Bill 16 – Married Women Gain Legal Independence
    Before this bill, Women had very few legal rights. With bill 16, It made it so that women gained equal property and legal rights. This was a huge push towards more gender equality and modernization in Quebec. (Page 250 Reflections)
  • Birth Rate Drops in Québec

    Birth Rate Drops in Québec
    Starting in the 1960s, Quebec's birth rate dropped dramatically. This was because women started to become more involved in the workforce/labour market,making it harder to care for large families (due to no time) and it also caused a change in values among society, making it less important to have many kids.The birth control pill was also becoming more popular and women could now choose and control if they wanted kids. With all of these combined,People stopped having as much children.(Page 240)
  • Establishment of CEGEPs and Université du Québec

    Establishment of CEGEPs and Université du Québec
    Under the Jhonson government, the first CEGEPs opened. These CEGEPs offered a way for people to continue their education in between university. This was because higher education was inaccessible to many. With these new programs, it ensured that a new gereration were being educated, making Quebecs economy more modern and competitive! (Page 231 Relfections)
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    Political and Social Changes Under The Bourassa Government

    During this time Robert Bourassa was he Premier of Quebec. Bourassa was known for its commitment to economic development and plans for future electricity. An example of what this liberal government also introduced was CLSCs. These places provided free standard health and social services! All of the plans and actions that happend under the Bourassa Government shapes Quebecs modernization by solidifying energy independence, welfare state and language laws. (Page 254 Reflections)
  • Bill 63 - the Act to Promote the French Language in Quebec

    Bill 63 - the Act to Promote the French Language in Quebec
    French was losing ground in business and schools so this controversial bill was passed which allowed parents the right to choose their children's language of education while also making sure non-francophone students still learnt french. This was the first language law Quebec made that provoked many protests and backlash. (uOttawa https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/official-languages-bilingualism-institute/clmc/linguistic-history/historic-documents/act-promote-french-language-quebec-1969)
  • October Crisis

    October Crisis
    The October Crisis was a chain of political events that took place in Canada that started in 1970 when the FLQ kidnapped Pierre Laporte and James cross. This was because during this time some people thought that Quebec sovereignty could only be achieved through voilent acts such as this. This caused Pierre Trudeau to invoke the War Measures Act. However it did not stop there and voilent acts continued to occur. This increased separatist tensions. (Page 258 Reflections)
  • Affirmation of Multicultural Society and Multiculturalism Policy

    Affirmation of Multicultural Society and Multiculturalism Policy
    Because of the fact immigration increased Canada wanted to recognize diverse cultural identities instead of enforcing assimilation! The ferderal policy promoted cultural preservation and minority rights. This policy stregthend future debated on immigration and even bilingualism. (page 267 Relfections)
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    Quebecs society under the Lévesque goverment

    Rene Levesque was elected premier 1976.The prime ministers of Canada included Pierre Elliot Trudeau(1968-1979,1980-1984),Joe Clark(1979-1980),John Turner(1984).After he won the 1976 election,they introduced policies focusing on protecting Quebecs french identity and giving the province more autonomy.The government did things like pass Bill 101,held its first sovereignty referendum, experienced economic struggles such as the second oil crisis.This shaped Quebec by making it even more independant
  • Bill 22- The Offcial language Act

    Bill 22- The Offcial language Act
    In Quebec, learning english to immigrants had more advantages than learning french which increased the anglophone community. This worried the Francophones so in 1974, The Bourassa government passes a bill (Bill 22) that made french the ONLY official language and limited access to english schooling. The impact was that it defined Quebec's modern cultural identity. (Page 263 Relfections)
  • Feminist Demands leads to new goverment policies

    Feminist Demands leads to new goverment policies
    Women in Quebec demanded legal and social equality which was influenced by global feminist movements. These demands ranged from workplace rights such as pay equity, abortions, maternity leave and child care services. In 1974, Quebec introduced a policy on child care. After this, Several organizations were created to defend women rights and to advance research towards women.This made Quebec have more advanced gender equality,modernized family structures and increased women roles in society.(260)
  • James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement

    James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement
    Quebec planned massive hydroelecric projects on indigenous lands, leading to protests by Cree and Inuit groups. These protests shines light on the injustice indigenous peoples faced. This impacted further recognition for indigenous land rights, granted self-goverment, financial compensation and hunting/fishing rights. This was a good push towards the beginning of indigenous negotiations and justice. (page 257 Relfrections)
  • La fête nationale

    La fête nationale
    To celebrate la fête nationale (a Quebec national celebration),Claude Léveillée, Yvon Deschamps, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Gilles Vigneault and
    Robert Charlebois all decided to celebrate by performing on Montreals mont royal for a huge crowd (Over 300000 people)! This small act impacted Quebec in a positive way, bringing communities together to celebrate Quebec, allow people to be proud of Quebec and overall streghthen Quebecs spirit and pride! (Page 265 Reflections).
  • Second Oil Crisis and Economic Downturn

    Second Oil Crisis and Economic Downturn
    Global oil prices rapidly increased due to Middle East conflicts. This increased inflation and unemployment in Quebec leading to an economic downturn. This shaped Quebec by pushing Quebec to focus on energy independence and boosting hydroelectric development. (Page 271 Reflections)