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1500
First Nations (before French arrived)
First Nations (1500-1608):
The chief holds the power for the first nations people. For the Algonquians, it is a patriarchy decision to determine the chief & for the Iroquois it is a matriarchy decision to determine the chief. There isn't really a countervailing power (it could be another tribe) but basically everyone just wants to survive with nature and the environment. -
French Regime
French Regime (1608-1760): Power in France was held by King Louis 14th. Countervailing power in France can be the British (indirectly), it can also be the Church (if they don’t get along w the king), it can be industrialization because of the issues with capitalism (only the King is getting rich so other people think it’s unfair). The power in New France is nobody yet, but Champlain & some companies just think that they’re in charge. the countervailing power in New France can be the Aboriginals -
Collaboration between state & Catholic Church (French Regime)
Church was automatically involved in political decisions because of its role in the sovereign council. Priests acted as missionaries & were in charge of the parishes. Nuns worked in hospitals & sometimes in education. Church had a monopoly on religious matters, people were expected to be a Catholic & practice was obligated. Church encouraged population to listen to the governor & intendant, in exchange church was allowed the tithe (church tax) & had insurance that religious matter was respected. -
Life in New France during the French Regime
Settlers had happy lives but it was to work. There was work to be done everyday; caring for crops, make clothes, fix tools & prepare for winter. They learned to take care of themselves since N.F wasn’t developing. They became autonomous & known as the Canadians. In france, there was a gap between the rich & massive amounts of poor/starving. -
The 3 levels of civilians in New France
Nobility/elite ➜ Governor, intendant & councillors.
Middle class/bourgeoisie ➜ Seigneurs & richer merchants.
Peasants/Habitants/artisans ➜ Censitaires who worked the land, craftsman. These direct groups thrived because of the distance from France, even though there were representatives of the king, he had less direct control compared to France. Contact with Aboriginals also led some to develop an independant spirit & worked or lived with the natives; voyageurs or coureur de bois. -
Power relations between French & Amerindians
During the French Regime, the French allied w Hurons & Montagnais (Innu). French looked for control over fur trade (also want territory). “Petite guerre” ➜ guerrilla warfare happened. Then, the signing of the Great Peace of MTL (1701). This was when 40 aboriginal nations came together w King of France & agree to a cease fire between nations. It was beneficial for natives cause they get protection from French & weapons from Europeans. It stops the disputes amongst everyone -
The Great Peace of Montreal (in detail)
The Great Peace of Montreal (signed in 1701) was to make a peace offering between the French (Algonquian allies) & English (Iroquois allies). The Natives struggled as they were trying to accomplish the peace cause during their journey to MTL, they had to worry about the people against them, epidemics (diseases), it was also dangerous going through rivers they went through. The results were the signing of the Great Peace lasted 60 years (because then the British took over), was a symbolic thing. -
7 Years War & the Articles of Capitulation - 1760
7 years war in Europe broke out in colonies too. France focuses its efforts in Europe so N.F is left to defend itself. Wolfe (british general) & Montcalm (french general) duke it out, English won. British went through Plains of Abraham to get their troops on mainland. French caught off guard, eventually lose. French Militia return home. People can still practice Roman Catholic religion, bishop had to leave. French elite left cause they can afford to. N.F under british military control (1760-63) -
Royal Proclamation (1763)
The 1763 Treaty of Paris ceded New France to King of England (except St. Pierre & Miquelon). King needed something to control french population: Royal Proclamation. Goal: Assimilate French. Renames the colony the province of Quebec. Decreases the borders to around St. Lawrence Valley. Civilian government, king appointed a governor who appointed members to executive council. English criminal & civil law were applied. No new bishop would be allowed. No roman catholics could hold office (Test Act) -
Quebec Act (1774)
Quebec Act of 1774 (Goal ➜ please French). American Revolution is happening ➜ King fears that the French will join the 13 colonies rebellion. It guaranteed French Canadian Loyalty. New bishop allowed. Enlarged the area of QC to include the Great Lakes once again. Still denied an elected assembly ➜ 1% of population in QC is English. Did allow for an appointed council. French civil laws were re-instated. Test Oath Act replaced with an Oath of Allegiance (Loyal to King = Hold Office). -
America comes to fruition! (American comes to exist = becomes USA) 1776
After American war of independence, many people remain loyal to King of Britain & don’t want to remain in America. The only British colony left is Canada. 36 000 loyalists came to Canada, they settled in the maritimes or around the Great Lakes. 6 000 loyalists came to QC, settles West of MTL or Eastern Townships. With American independance, South of Great Lakes belongs to USA. Effects of Loyalists: English population of QC goes from 1% to 10%. Townships instead of seigneuries. -
Constitutional Act of 1791 (certain rights by law)
QC split up! Ottawa River was used as the boundary between 2 Canadas. Upper Canada ➜ 20 000 people, Entirely english, Protestant, used township system & English civil laws. Lower Canada ➜ 160 000 people, Mostly French people, Kept catholic religion, civil laws & now francophones could work in administration of Lower Canada. Act brings change in government: Representative government. -
Representative Government of 1791
Representative government: Governor general held veto power. Lieutenant governor acted as deputy governor. Executive council appointed by the governor to advise him. Legislative council also appointed, approve or reject laws from assembly. Legislative assembly people elected every 4 years. Had the power to approve or disapprove taxes. Also had the right to create laws. Ordinary people had right to vote for the first time but only to land-owning men over 21. -
Political Parties in Upper Canada
Governor: British appointed. Legislative council: English merchants, land owners, friends of governor, appointed, veto power. Legislative assembly: voted by citizens, male property owners, government was representative. 2 political parties dominated: family compact (wealthy british conservatives-want gov. to stay in hands of british, no elected assembly). Reformers: Intellectuals/professionals, want responsible government (power to be with people, not just wealthy elite) -
Political Parties in Lower Canada
British party: wealthy british & some french, power brokers. WHO? Anglophone merchant community LEADER? McGill & Molson DEMAND? Canal building, bank institutions, seigneurial system abolition, french civil law HOW? Quietly try convincing Britain to unite Upper & Lower to 1 province. BAD: Tax go up, needa get from poor or French. Parti canadiens: Wealthy & poor French, separatists, professionals, unhappy w power. Papineau demand greater power for assembly members & elected house of assembly -
Concerns in Upper Canada
Responsible government was the main concern! Continued immigration to increase the english presence in canada. New immigrants from great britain bringing values of parliamentary democracy. Reduction in the role of the Church of England in taxes & affairs. Reducing the power of values of traditionalism & conservatism. Stronger voice for the Elected Assembly. Reduce voice for the Family Compact. No veto powers. -
Concerns in Lower Canada
British merchants wanted to increase taxes for canals, harbors & roads for merchant use- few roads were built to help farmers. Increased immigration from Great Britain began to threaten French culture & language. 1832: immigration ship brought disease cholera, killed 5000. Legislative assembly (French-speaking). Hard to make laws. 1836: Crops failed; Canadians face starvation. 1837: Economic depression; English merchants blamed. -
Faults in the Representative Government (still under Constitutional Act)
Legislative Assembly had power to make laws but were often shut down by Governor & council’s right to veto. Legislative Assembly & Governor had different interests. The wealthy wanted to invest in big business & tax property so they can build canals & railways. Legislative Assembly wanted to tax goods, NOT property & didn’t wanna invest into larger projects that wouldn’t benefit them. Situation was worse in Lower Canada cause Legislative Assembly was French & there were constant language battles -
92 Resolutions & 10 Russell Resolutions
Louis Papineau (lawyer/seigneur), leader Parti Patriote, wrote a letter containing demands of the assembly-1834. Main demand was Responsible Government (members on council should be chosen from elected assembly, government made up by people would be responsible for its decisions). Document was sent to London to be reviewed. Reject request for an elected council, Instead of gaining power, elected assembly actually lost some. Really upsets Patriotes, begins the demonstrations, lead to rebellions -
Act of Union 1840 (The 4th Constitution)
Creates Province of Canada consisting of Canada East & West (former upper & lower Canada). Canada east & west each had 42 members to its assembly. Governor still had control & veto power. Canada east & west would equally pay for Canada’s debts (canada west owed 10x). Whole territory is now called the province of Canada. -
Results of the Act of Union
Structure of Responsible Government: People would now elect the Legislative Assembly (Parliament). Prime minister (head of party with the most votes) would form the Cabinet (Executive Council) who would propose laws that had to be approved through assembly. Governor & Legislative council still appointed but didn’t intervene even though pressured to do so (rich english merchants). Governor, Lord Elgin (1848) would be first to not use his power of veto & let the Prime minister have executive power -
Confederation (1867)
Charlottetown conference: Province of Can meets w/ New Brunswick, Nova Scotia & PEI to discuss terms of merger, agree to meet again. QC conference: Same provinces as Newfoundland, 72 resolutions that would make merger possible. Main ones: Want federal system 24 seats to each colony, “rep by pop” & railway linking provinces. London Conference: new self governing entity created under BNA Act: Dominion of can with it’s capital in OTT. Province of Can becomes ON & QC. Other provinces eventually join -
Breakdown of power
Federal Government: Defense; Banking & Currency; Trade; Postal Service; Criminal Law; could disallow any law it felt was not in Canada’s interest (today it’s done through the court system); federal taxes, only intervened in the provinces in crisis situations. Provincial Government: Education; Municipal institutions; Hospitals/healthcare; property & civil rights, infrastructures, natural resources. Immigration & Agriculture were shared responsibilities. -
Church & Feminism
Influence of Roman Catholic Church in QC. Church still in charge of birth, marriage, deaths, orphanage, shelter, charity, religious festivals. Roman Catholic church attendance was high. Protestants divided (anglicans, presbyterians). Protestant universities: McGill,Bishops. Church power under Duplessis. Organizations pop up supporting women’s rights & suffrage. Obtained vote federally. QC wants women the right to vote, church against this right. Women can perform legal acts w/out husband consent -
Duplessis’ Platform
Government led by Duplessis continued to believe state shouldn’t intervene in social/economic sectors. Its role consisted of offering subsidies to Church & favourable conditions for investment purposes. Rural communities were best places to promote traditional values such as family life, gratifying work & religious beliefs. Agriculture was at the heart of QC’s economy in order to avoid urbanization & problems (unemployment). Duplessis founded the Union National party & was premier of QC twice. -
The Great Depression & Duplessis
Unemployment rate, govt.s look to get power. Direct payments & welfare state arise to appease citizens & get them to vote for that party: Unemployment insurance, family allowance. Equalization payments introduced-1957 ➜ $ to poor provinces or QC. Union Nationale power from 1936-39 when Godbout takes power for 1 term, changes made: Vote rights to women, compulsory education til age 14, electricity nationalized MTL. Union Nationale voted back into power-1944 for next 15 years until Duplessis’ dies -
Groups that Challenged Duplessis
-Union leaders: accused Duplessis of opposing social progress & serving American interests instead of QC workers. Numerous strikes held during this period: Asbestos strike-1949 where even bishop & other church officials supported strikers. 1937:Padlock Law, Duplessis Government made it illegal to strike and promote communist ideas. -Intellectuals and Journalists: Trudeau & Levesque opposed the Duplessis govt & attacked the conservative nature of QC society in newspapers, magazines & TV programs -
What Jean Lesage’s Liberals accomplish
1961: Free & compulsory school & public hospitals
1963: Nationalization of hydroelectricity (first big thing that he does)
1964: Ministry of education formed ➜ church no longer in charge of schools but school boards were still divided by catholic or protestant
1966: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
1969: CEGEPs created
SOQUEM: $ for mining investment, Cote-Nord region developed -
The Quiet Revolution
Driven by cultural & political assertion of QCers & the desire for a govt with a more interventionist role. Lesage was a lawyer & a federal politician for 4 terms in Federal Parliament with the Liberals & later ran for head of the QC Liberal Party when the Conservatives ousted Mackenzie King’s federal Liberals in 1958. 1960: Lesage gets elected for 6 years; Campaigned with “c’est le temps due ca change”. 1962: Election slogan used was “Maitres chez nous” (when Lesage calls in another election). -
FLQ & the October Crisis
1970: The “October Crisis” occurred. FLQ want an independent Quebec (tried to get it through violence). FLQ kidnapped James Cross (British Diplomat) & Pierre Laporte (Journalist). PM. Trudeau used war measures act to call out the army, & hundreds of FLQ members are arrested. Laporte’s body is found in the trunk of his car, Cross is released. Consequences of FLQ: Leads to the rise of the PQ. -
2 Referendums on an independent Quebec
Referendum 1:1980
Federalists want QC to stay. Separatists want QC to leave. Referendum on sovereignty-association (Levesque’s PQ). QC would still keep economic benefits of being part of Can. but be a politically independent nation. No side won w/ 60% of vote
Referendum 2: 1995
Constitutional agreement failed cause English Canada refuse to give QC special status. 1994: PQ return to power w/ Parizeau. Referendum on sovereignty vote was for complete independent QC. No side won w/ 50.6% of vote
