Traditional Elements of the Duplessis Government

Duplessis’s traditional View  Traditional elements are customs and beliefs that have been handed down from generation to generation.  In Quebec, during Maurice Duplessis' rule ( ) the major traditional elements involved: 1) The Roman Catholic Church It continued to control education, hospitals, orphanages, and welfare services. It was also influential in government, unions and the Caisses Populaires. The Church continued to promote large families, rural life, and Christian values.

2) Idealization of Rural Life  It was believed that the rural communities were the best places to promote traditional values such as family life, gratifying work and religious beliefs.  Agriculture was and should continue to be at the heart of Quebec's economy in order to avoid urbanization and associated problems such as unemployment and housing shortages.

3) Role of the Government  The government led by Maurice Duplessis continued to believe that the state should not intervene in either the social or economic sectors.  Consequently, its role was basically a supporting one which consisted of offering subsidies to the Church and favourable conditions for investment purposes

Challenges to Duplessis’s Power  Two major groups challenged the traditional and conservative nature of Quebec society and its government. They were: Union leaders:  They accuse Duplessis of opposing social progress and of serving American interests rather than the interests of Quebec workers. Throughout this period there were numerous strikes in Quebec.  During the Asbestos strike of 1949 even church officials such as Bishop Charbonneau supported the strikers. Intellectuals and Journalists:  Intellectuals such as Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Rene Levesque opposed the Duplessis government  They attacked the conservative nature of Quebec society in newspapers, magazine articles and television programs

Nationalist Policies in the Duplessis Government  Maurice Duplessis founded the Union National party and was Premier of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and from 1944 to  During these periods, Duplessis defended provincial autonomy and had numerous battles with Ottawa over federal initiatives in provincial jurisdictions.  In 1951 Duplessis' government refused to accept federal subsidies destined for Quebec universities on the grounds that education was a provincial jurisdiction.  He also opposed federal allowance payments to Quebec families on the same grounds.  He is responsible for adopting the fleur de lisé as Quebec's flag in 1948  He also introduced provincial income tax plan in 1954

Major Developments of the Duplessis Era  The Asbestos strike of 1949 pitted workers against the state and company scabs. It is often seen as a turning point in organizing opposition to Duplessis.  Agricultural changes - the government undertook a program of rural electrification - by 1956, 90 % of the farms had electricity. Farm credit was offered to farmers who wanted to buy new equipment and agricultural cooperatives became more important  American mining companies invested heavily in the exploitation and mining of iron ore leading to the development in the 1950s of the Cote-Nord and Nouveau Quebec regions

Developments Continued  Padlock Law ( 1937) was passed originally to eliminate communist activists and sympathizers. The law permitted the pol ice to lock any building used for communist activity. However it was also used against unions and government opponents. It was eventually declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada  Population Growth – in the post-war period two factors help to increase Quebec’s population: increased immigration from Europe after the war and a high birth rate. Between 1946 and 1960, 135,000 infants are born each year on average in Quebec. This phenomenon is known as the baby boom.  Americanization of life – the end of World War II brought a period of economic prosperity to North America. The United States led the way and had a tremendous impact on our way of life. New consumer goods, radio and television, and American capital promoted the individual and material comfort.