1. The FLQ and the October Crisis

2. What is going on? What are the facts? What are the sentiments? What are the sides? Is it the same event?

3. Founded in 1968 by René Lévesque. Party objectives were to obtain social, economic and political independence for Quebec French-Canadians living in Quebec preferred to be recognized as Quebecois and not the precedent at this time

4. FLQ = Front de la Libébration Québec radical group of separatists founded in 1963. felt terrorism and violence were a necessity in order to bring freedom for Quebec. No leader, numerous small groups or cells

5. ALQ = Armée de la Libération du Quebec more violent radical separatist group. robbed banks and raided the Canadian Armed Forces depots for ammunition. were responsible for the majority of the mailbox bombings in English-speaking areas of Montreal.

6. W HAT WAS THE O CTOBER C RISIS ? On October 5 1970 FLQ members kidnapped senior British trade commissioner in Montreal, James R. Cross and held him for ransom They demanded the release of 23 political prisoners, transportation to Cuba or Algeria, $500 000 in gold bars and publication of the FLQ Manifesto or they would kill Cross within 48 hours. Majority refused so FLQ kidnapped Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte... a Frenchman

7. James Cross Pierre Laporte

8. War Measures act October 16 th, Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau implemented the War Measures act, at the request of the Quebec government War Measures Act takes away the civil rights of Canadians 50 members of Parti Quebecois, approx 450 other Canadians were arrested Could be held up to 21 days no charges and 90 without a trial ALL

10. Bittersweet End On the 18 th of October, Pierre Laporte found murdered December 4 th, James Cross rescued after being held of 59 days In exchange for his freedom the kidnappers were granted refuge to Cuba December 28 th, Laporte’s killers were finally caught and charged with murder and the FLQ October crisis was finally over

12. How would you have personally reacted As a Quebecker As the government Do you think they were justified at all? Was the government justified in implementing the war measures act? Was the FLQ justified in their kidnapping? Would you resort to violence? Is there any downside to learning/knowing another language?