1. A Brutally Quick Overview of French/English Relations during the Cold War

3. Maurice Duplessis Years (1936-59)
La Grande Noirceur("The Great Darkness")
Believed the French Needed to keep faith and Language to keep identity
He does allow English-American businesses into Quebec (tax breaks to all for luring businesses into the province)
Many Quebecers leave farms to work in the cities – however they end up receiving poor pay
As a result, people strike often – Duplessis orders the police to arrest protest leaders
People of Quebec have a secular vision – this goes against the traditional view

4. Quiet Revolution (1960) When did it start?
Liberal government (led by Lesage – part of Trudeau government) defeats Duplessis
What actually happened?
Government sets out to modernize the schools – up until now, most never finished high school
Result – thousands start going to post secondary schools
Introduction of “Special Status”
Result – Quebec need more provincial powers to protect the French culture. So, they are given free reign over: Medicare, schooling, pensions, etc…
End Result
Despite the steps taken by the Liberals, of the top 50 businesses, only 3 were French!
Creation of Hydro Quebec (1962) started to make people realize that a French owned company could be profitable.

5. Charles de Gaulle
In a speech to Quebec by the leader of France, Gaulle said:
Vive le Quebec libre – Long live Free Quebec
This set off the beginning of serious separatist talk

6. 1963 – Fire bomb set off – the exact same quote (Gaulle’s statement) found spray painted on a nearby wall

7. Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ)
Late 60s it takes its cause to violence
Slogan – “Independence or death”
Bomb several areas where English or large Businesses are located
The famous quote shot off was during Expo 67 (in Montreal):
“100 years of injustice”