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Maurice Duplessis ( The Great Darkness)
In Quebec, this era is known as "The Great Darkness". They named this era this because he restricted freedom of expression and ensured that all of Quebec was suppressed by the Catholic Church, restricting religious influence in politics, education, and the health system. Also, he revealed the local taxes of Québec. This era happened between 1944 and 1959. (Class Slides3.1) -
Baby boom
The baby boom is a high natural population increase after WW2. It happened because soldiers came back from Europe, and there was peace in the world. Therefore, it is a better atmosphere for children. People made more children and it caused a high population growth in North America.
(Class slides 3.1) -
Act to Promote Rural Electrification
In 1945, Dudplessi's Government adopted the act to promote rural electrification, which meant electricity cooperatives. It caused more electricity to be produced on farms, which simulated economic development in regions. (class slides 3.1) -
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The cold war
The Cold War started after the Nazi Germany collapsed. There were two major powers in the world. United States and the Soviet Union. Ideologically, it was capitalist versus socialist. It was cold because there were no real wars, there were proxy wars. Also, the war was actually like race: who is better? Both sides did every technological or sportive development to beat the other one. it drove global progress in all areas. It ended after the soviet union collapsed in 1991. (class slides 3.1) -
Refus Global Manifesto Published
Refus Global is a manifesto published in 1948 by 15 famous artists in Quebec. It happened because of the pressure of the catholic church on the people and some artists wanted secularism. Therefore, they published this to support their idea. (Class slides 3.1) -
Adoption of the Fleurdelisé (Québec’s Flag)
In 1948, Duplessis's government believed that Quebec's identity must be emphasized in Canada. They showed up with a new official flag called(Fleurdelisé). (Reflections page 211) -
Asbestos Strike
In 1949, a strike occurred by the miners. This happened because miners wanted better conditions, and employers refused. Therefore, 5000 miner workers came out with a huge strike. Duplessis supported employers, and they made miners strikes illegal. (Reflections page 216) -
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Korean War
The Korean War was used by two major powers in the world. The USA and USSR, two powers, wanted to show the world who was stronger in military topics. They used this war for their benefit. Canada joined with UN forces (USA part). The War ended in 1953 with the 2 countries. Communist North and Capitalist South. (Reflections page 206) -
Arrival of Television in Québec
This device arrived in Quebec as a result of the high level of Americanism. ( class slides 3.1) -
Québec Introduces Provincial Income Tax
In 1954, the Quebec government re-implemented the provincial income tax. Consequently, Ottowa had to lower their taxes on Quebec. (Reflections page 211) -
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The Quiet Revolution
It started with the election of the Québec Liberal Party. They did a huge number of reforms in Quebec. (Ex: secularism.) During this time, Québécois attitudes, values, and identity transformed significantly. It ended in 1966 with the return of Union Nationale. (Reflections page 224) -
Creation of the Department of Cultural Affairs
Lesage protected Quebecois identity by producing the Department of Cultural Affairs in 1961. Also, this department supported art development in Québec. He also created the Office du Film du Quebec to back up film production and the Office de la langue française to promote French.
(Reflections page 229) -
Nationalization of Electricity (Hydro-Québec)
In 1962, Lesage's government went to elections with nationalized electricity opinion. Liberals won, and they bought private electricity companies and merged all the companies under Hydro Québec. This action aimed to ensure electricity to remote areas, maximizing profits. Dams were built and most of them were on the Cote-Nord rivers. (Reflections page 228) -
Creation of the Ministry of Education
It all started in 1961 with Paul Gerin Lajoie. He introduced a new education system. He made education mandatory till the age of 15 and free schooling. In 1964, the Department of Education was created. (Reflections page 226) -
Expo 67
Expo 67 happened in Montreal. Which symbolized Québec's openness to the world. It allowed Quebecers to explore other cultures and helped Quebec and Canada to show themselves to the world. The theme, "Man and His World," showed Quebec as a modern society and highlighted its technology and art developments. Montreal metro was the biggest example of modernization. (Reflections page 234) -
Charles de Gaulle’s “Vive le Québec libre” Speech
In 1967 Rene Levesque left Liberal Party and found the Mouvement souveraineté-association (MSA). MSA believed that Quebec had to be an independent country while maintaining its economic ties with Canada, and he held a big meeting in Montreal in 1967 during Expo 67. During his speech, he declared “Vive le Québec libre!” (Long live a
free Québec!). It was a statement that supported Quebec's independence. (Reflections page 235) -
Passage of Bill 63
In 1969, Trudeau's government passed a law that decriminalized homosexuality (Bil C-150). However, LGBTQ members still faced police discrimination. Most of them viewed homosexuality as a mental illness, forcing them to hide their sexual choices. (Reflections page 250) -
Introduction of Québec’s Medicare System
In 1970, Bourassa's government formed a new Health Service Act that expanded free healthcare beyond hospitalization. This was a major step top a better public service in Quebec.(Reflections page 254) -
The October Crisis
Quebec nationalists formed as FLQ, using violence to push for Quebec domination. They aimed at British colonialism by planting bombs and kidnapping British diplomat James Cross and Liberal minister Pierre Laporte in October 1970. Trudeau called the War Measures Act to control this crisis. Laporte was found dead, and Cross was released after negotiations. The FLQ with only a few members faded forgotten.(Reflections page 258) -
James Bay Hydroelectric Project Announced
In 1971, Robert Bourassa's idea was to boost Quebec's economy with big projects, including big and long highways and public buildings. However, his biggest plan was the"project of the century” developed by Baie-James. This project was about using Québec's hydroelectric potential. The project was Unveiled in 1971, launched in 1973 and completed in 1986. Later phases were applied in the following years. (Reflections page 255) -
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The Oil Crises & Economic Downturn
In 1973, a war broke out between arab. Countries and Israel led to a rise in oil prices and cut oil production, targeting Western supporters of Israel. This caused a global oil crisis. Canada faced oil shortages and rising prices. It also made transportation more expensive. Quebec experienced economic instability, with inflation reducing purchasing power. The crisis ended in 1980 with peace between Arabs and Israel. (Reflections page 259) -
Superfrancofête – Cultural Affirmation in Québec
In 1974 Quebec hosted a festival (Superfrancofête)
which was welcoming Francophone artists worldwide. There was theatre, music, and sport in the event. The opening was with a concert by Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault, and Robert Charlebois, which was Québec's first real outdoor show. 100.000 attempted. With Bill 22, this festival took on a nationalist spirit.
(Reflections page 264) -
Bill 22
In 1974, Bourassa's government believed that French must be the official language. Therefore, they passed Bill 22(Official Language Act), making French Quebec's official language. Also, this act restricted English schooling to children's profits in English, making French more powerful but limiting Anglophone access to education. (Reflections page 263) -
Bill 101
Many immigrants who immigrated to Quebec didn't know how to speak French, and many of them joined the Anglophone community, Francophones moved to the suburbs. Concerns grew over Bill 22's effectiveness. In 1977, the Parti Québécois did Bill 101 to protect the French better. (Reflections page 268) -
Economic downturn and second oil crisis
In the 1970s, Canada was experiencing an economic decline and rising unemployment. Also, in 1979, a second oil crisis broke out, and it triggered inflation. Companies moved jobs to countries with cheaper workers, causing unemployment in Quebec. Fewer jobs mean slower economic growth and less tax money. Quebec and Canadian governments increased taxes. This created arguments about whether to reduce government services. (Reflections page 271)