Chapter 6 The Modernization of Quebec (1930 – 1980)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1980)

Timeline In 1929, a deep global economic crisis shakes the confidence of citizens and in the capitalist system. 1929: Stock Market Crash in New York

1945-60: “Baby-Boom” period of population and economic growth

1970: “October Crisis” (F.L.Q.)

1929-39: The ‘Great Depression’ 1940: Women’s right to vote (Quebec)

1929-1939 1929

1942: WW2 Conscription Crisis

1939 1945 Second World War (WW2)

1967: Expo 1960: Start of the “Quiet Revolution” ‘67 in Montreal

1945-1960 1944-59: Duplessis Government in QC

1960

1967 1970

People look to the government for help out of the crisis. Governments begin to intervene in many sectors of the economy and society.

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • Black Thursday, October 4th, 1929 (p. 146-151)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • Black Thursday, October 4th, 1929

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • The Great Depression 1929-1939

(p. 146-151)

– Started on October 24th, 1929: “Black Thursday” on the New York stock exchange. Stock markets crash in New York, then around the world. Companies go bankrupt, Millions of people lose their jobs – Followed by 10 years of misery in society – Unemployment rate soars in Quebec: 1929: 2.9% 1933: 25% (2016: ~8%)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 – During the Depression, if you lost your job, and if you had no savings, you had nothing left. • Some people had no job and no income for 10 years. • What do you do to feed your family, and to stay alive? – People went to soup kitchens and charities for food. • But charity food was quickly used up.

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2

 What happens to the people when all the food and donations are gone?

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • Government Interventionism

(p. 146-151)

– Interventionism: When governments intervene (get involved) in the economy and society  To get people back to work, the government spent money to create jobs: 1. Created a public works programs: – Build new bridges, – Tunnels, – Railways, etc.

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 2. Direct government assistance: •

Unemployment Insurance (UI) –

•

Government pays a percentage of your salary for a certain period of time if you lose your job

Direct Relief: – –

Provide food, cheques (money) to families Similar to welfare today

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 •

Offer cheap land: –

Cheap land was offered in the regions of Quebec » Gaspe, Abitibi-Temiscamingue – To promote the development of the regions – ‘Return to the farm’ movement supported by the church

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • New Political Parties emerge during the Great Depression (p. 149-153) – Due to the negative consequences of the Great Depression, many people started doubting free market capitalism. – Communist Parties in the 1920s: • Abolition of private property and the capitalist system

– Fascist Parties in the 1930s: • Totalitarian regime based on extreme nationalism. • Hitler’s Fascist Party (p. 151)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • 1936: New Premier of Quebec  Maurice Duplessis – Premier of Quebec for 18 years (1936-1939, 1944-1959) – ‘Union Nationale’ Party – Very French Nationalist • Defended the interests of Quebec

– Died in office

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Maurice Duplessis – He was very Conservative: – Had traditional and religious values: Farming and agriculture Women’s ‘traditional’ role was to stay home, look after the kids, not to work or go to school.

– Left Healthcare and Education to the Church – Refused to recognize workers rights to strike – Believed in capitalism

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Just Before World War 2 • In 1939, a new Liberal gov’t was elected. – Time for change / modernity: 1940: Women obtain the right to vote in Quebec (feminism) 1940: Unemployment Insurance 1943: Compulsory School Attendance Act: - Must attend school until 14 1944: Power Companies nationalized into Hydro-Quebec 1944: Labour Relations Act: right to collective bargaining (negotiating) for workers

Casgrain

Kirkland

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • Quebec and Canada during wartime (p. 155-156) – Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party (extreme nationalist / fascist) rises to power, wants total control over all of Europe (and the world?) – Canada, as a member of the British Commonwealth, must help its allies. – Led to profound changes in the economy of Quebec and Canada – 1944: Canadian Government passes conscription law, forcing people to fight abroad • Quebecois people were very opposed to this (p.158)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • The economy during wartime – Every decision made in Canada was designed to organize the country’s economy – 1939: War Measures Act, gave control to the government to (turn to p. 156) Fix salaries Control prices Ration food, gasoline, sugar, tea, butter, meat Subsidize industries making war goods Encourage people to work for those industries Prioritize natural resources for the construction of military equipment

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • The economy during wartime – The production of food, arms, and clothes boosted the economy – Industries were modernized and became state of the art – New production created jobs and lessened the effects of the Great Depression – Unemployment rate decreased quickly – 1943: Created the ‘Ministère de l’Industrie et du Commerce’

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • April 27th 1945: Mussolini’s Death in Milan • April 30th 1945: Hitler commits suicide as the Battle of Berlin rages above him

• The War is Over on May 8th, 1945 • Holocaust: 11 million people were killed in concentration camps

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 WWII Death Count Per Country: Country

Military

Civilian

Total

USSR

12 million

17 million

29 million

Poland

597,000

5.86 million

6.27 million

Germany

3.25 million

2.44 million

5.69 million

Yugoslavia

305,000

1.35 million

1.66 million

Romania

450,000

465,000

915,000

Hungary

200,000

600,000

800,000

France

245,000

350,000

595,000

Italy

380,000

153,000

533,000

Great Britain 403,000

92,700

495,000

United States

6,000

413,000

Czechoslova 7,000 kia

315,000

322,000

Holland

13,700

236,000

249,000

Greece

19,000

140,000

159,000

Belgium

76,000

23,000

99,000

Canada

39, 000

407,000

39, 000

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • Battle of Berlin

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

World War 2 • The War is Over!!! May 8th 1945

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW 2 – 1944 - 1960 Portrait of the Canadian and Québécoise society Social: - Baby-boom, immigration Economy: - Consumption Society

Politics: - Maurice Duplessis government in power for 15 consecutive years Lifestyle: - Mass-consumption (television, cars, radio).

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After World War II (1944 – 60) 1. The feminist movement: • During the war, most men were fighting in the war. • Women were needed to work in the factories back home. • Women gained independence, and their role in society began to change.

"Rosie the Riveter" was a American cultural icon representing women who worked in factories during World War II producing munitions and war supplies.

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

After WW2 – 1944 - 1960 – Demands made by feminist movement: • Equal pay • Right to vote • More representation in politics and government • Access to higher education

Casgrain

– The Church was opposed to the feminist movement. • Wanted to maintain ‘traditional’ roles Kirkland

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After World War II (1944 – 60) 2. The union movement: • Unions became popular in Quebec after the industrial revolution. – Ex: Federation des Travailleurs du Quebec (FTQ) – Canadian Catholic Confederation of Labour (CCCL)

• Unions represented workers and asked for: – Better pay, working conditions, safety, and health.

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • At first, businesses and the govt (Duplessis) refused to recognize unions. – Union leaders were often put in jail.

• Unions gradually gained recognition in society. – 1944: Labour Relations Act – 1965: Labour Code / Rules – 1965: Right to strike

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After World War II (1944 – 60) 3. Secularism and modernity: • After WW2, Quebec society was torn between modernization and traditionalism. – Democracy and equality vs. Duplessis and the traditional ways of the Church

• Until Duplessis’ death in 1959, the Church was responsible for ‘social affairs’: – Education and healthcare

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Bit by bit, the Church could no longer manage its responsibilities. • Quebec slowly became ‘secular’: – The government and institutions were separate from religion. – The influence of the Church diminished in society. – The govt took control of education and health in 1960

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Many people immigrated to Canada from Europe after the devastation of the war: • • • •

Italy Greece Portugal Eastern European countries

– Immigrants usually integrated with the English population

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Population – Baby-boom! (p. 164) • Many children were born after the war (large families) • Lowered the average age of the population  1951: 25% of the total pop was under the age of 10!

– Government had to build: • Schools, • Daycares, • Universities,

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Population

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Population

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture and the consumer society – Before WW2, American businesses were investing in Quebec’s natural resources. • Mining  Iron / Steel, Aluminum, Asbestos • Pulp and paper  Newspaper, Lumber.

– This created jobs and wealth for Quebec. – Duplessis encouraged American investment in Quebec to create jobs and wealth for the regions. • Cote-Nord, Lac-Saint-Jean, AbitibiTemiscamingue

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 – American culture followed American money into Quebec: • Pop culture  Music, TV / Radio shows • Cars culture  Drive-in theatres, roads, highways • Fast food • Consumer goods  Refrigerator, radio, car, TV

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – media - TV

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – consumer goods

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – consumer society

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – cars – fast food

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture - cars

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – cars, roads, highways

Anjou Interchange ~1970

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • American culture – cars – suburbia

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Suburbia today

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Society – Youth, captivated by entertainment, abandon Church activities

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 – During and after WW2, American investors inject even more capital ($$) into Quebec’s economy. • More jobs and increased salaries led to the consumer society.  Purchasing goods like TVs, cars, radio, etc.

– Americanism rapidly changed Quebec society. • French losing out to English. • Church losing out to TV / entertainment

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) - Economy – Worried about decreasing population in the rural areas, Duplessis sets out to modernize the farm to stop people from leaving (p. 160) • Brings electricity to farms  Improves productivity

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) - Economy

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) - Economy

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) - Government – Remember: Duplessis is a ‘traditionalist’ and a Quebec ‘Nationalist’ • Does not like the Federal Government getting involved in Quebec’s affairs • Favours Provincial autonomy

– He rejected Federal money for universities, roads, etc. (ex: Highway 40) – Created a Provincial Income tax (p. 160) • Assured the government of Quebec, not Ottawa, a source of money to pay for all the government programs

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 – Duplessis gave funds to the Church to run Healthcare and Education (p. 160-161):  The Church could not meet the demands of the people • Too few schools (poorly equipped), too many kids • Francophones remained less-educated than Anglophones • Hospitals could not handle all the people • People still had to pay out of pocket for healthcare because Duplessis refused to establish health insurance

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) – Society – Quebec was torn between Traditional vs. Social Change Church vs. Secularization Stability vs. Democratization Duplessis vs. Americanism – Secularization: • Removing religion from institutions (schools, hospitals, government, courts, etc.)

– Little by little, secular staff were replacing religious personnel in schools and hospitals

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

Post WW2 – 1944 - 1960 • Quebec After WW2 (1944 – 60) - Economy

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • End of An Era (p. 170): – Duplessis dies in 1959  Quebec now ready to undergo great political, economic, social and culture change

1960: The “Quiet Revolution” Begins – New Liberal Government elected in 1960 – Jean Lesage promises ‘it’s time for a change!’ – Page 170

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • Main features of the Quiet Revolution: – Government becomes the major force behind social and economic change by increasing the role of gov’t – Modernize the education system to catch up to the rest of Canada – To weaken the influence of the church

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • Specific measures taken to ‘modernize’: – – – –

Coeducation at school to promote girls education 1967: CEGEPs (college) created 1974: Concordia founded Many crown corporations (government corporations) are created • Hydro-Quebec • Pension fund institutions

– Church no longer in charge of education and health – 1968: New law makes divorce easier to get – 1960s: Government changes immigration laws

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • Expo ‘67: – 1967: Montreal hosted the world fair – Presence of many diverse foreign delegates contributes to the city’s multicultural character helps Quebecoise society be more open to different cultures

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Cold War

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70)

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • Extreme Nationalism: – During the Quiet Revolution the independence movement gains momentum – ‘Quebecoise’ culture ‘threatened’ by influx of Anglophones and Americanization – F.L.Q.: “Front du Liberation du Quebec” • Terrorist organization that plants bombs at federal military institutions and in mailboxes in Westmount • Main goal:  Independence for Quebec from Canada

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) • October Crisis of 1970: – Members of the F.L.Q. kidnap James Cross, a British diplomat, and Pierre Laporte, the Minister of Labour in the Quebec Government. – Laporte was later found murdered – Led to the imposition of the War Measures Act by the Federal Government, led by Pierre Trudeau, • Sends troops to Montreal • Suspend civil liberties

– Several hundred people were arrested

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) The relationship between Native people and the State

- Cree: Hydro, James Bay

The Modernization of Quebec (1929 – 1970)

The Quiet Revolution (1960-70) Duplessis Era

Quiet Revolution

o Period of Privatisation in the economy

o Period of Nationalisation of resources and services

o Education, Healthcare and social assistance is left to the Church

o Social change

o Economic development in the hands of major Americans companies (natural resources)

(1944-59)

o Control over the Quebec economy («Maîtres chez nous»)

(1960-80)