1. Quebec’s Independence Movement

2. Quebec

3. The Province of Quebec Located in eastern Canada Large part of Canadian industry is centered in Quebec electronics and computer factories French = official language of business and government 81% speak French as 1 st language

5. Canadian History Review: Canada was colonized by French (fur trade) British wanted part of the fur trade; fought and won the French and Indian War Divided Canada into Upper Canada (British) and Lower Canada (French) “Lower Canada” is now called Quebec Canada was united in 1867: British North America Act But Quebec is still predominately French

6. French & British Soldiers in Quebec

7. Early 1900s Some French Canadian families had been living in Quebec for hundreds of years Spoke French & had a different culture than English-speaking Canadians Most lived on farms and rarely left their villages Most French Canadians were Catholic, while the most of British Canadians were Protestant

9. A Separate Quebec Idea of a separate French Canada spread slowly At first, most French Canadians did not think that Quebec needed independence By the 1960s, thinking had changed… Many French Canadians had become Quebec nationalists & thought of themselves as Quebecois, not Canadians

10. A Separate Quebec By this time, Quebec had changed in many ways… Growing populations pushed into farmlands & rural people grew poor Many left farms & moved to cities Lives were very different now: Stopped going to Catholic churches No longer led a traditional lifestyle English was spoken in most cities, while French was not

12. Quebec’s Independence Many French Canadians felt that their language & culture might disappear French language/culture was overwhelmed by English French Canadians felt like second class citizens Most started to think that Quebec should secede from Canada (be independent) Separatists--want Quebec to “separate” from Canada

14. Pros for Separating Those who supported Quebec separatism wanted: to protect French language/culture to be treated as equals with English-speaking Canadians other Canadians to respect French language/ culture to preserve French Canadian culture for future generations

15. Cons for Separating Those who opposed Quebec separatism feared: Economic disaster for Quebec Ruin national unity and pride

16. Let the People Decide 1980 & 1995—citizens voted whether or not to secede Both votes were in favor of staying Canadian Last vote: 49.4% voted to secede 50.6% voted to stay Close results = relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada will continue to be a controversial issue

17. What Now? Canadian government does not want to allow Quebec to separate from Canada Huge economic help to country Rich in natural resources Access to many waterways (shipping & trade) Government has made several reforms in an attempt to keep separatists happy…

18. Reforms Government has passed several laws to help Quebec’s citizens preserve their language and culture 1982: The Constitution Act made Canada bilingual 1. 2 official languages (English & French) 2. All government documents must be written in French & English

19. In Quebec Today… French is the only official language English may be used in advertising, but it must be placed after the French words, and it must be smaller font Some people are happy with these changes, but other people still believe that Quebec should be independent from the rest of Canada