10.3 The Growth of Quebec Nationalism and Separatism

Quebec nationalism and separatism gained momentum in the 1960s, fueled by a desire for greater autonomy and cultural preservation. Political parties like the Parti Québécois and militant groups like the FLQ emerged, advocating for independence through different means.

Key figures like René Lévesque championed the cause, while events like Charles de Gaulle's "Vive le Québec libre!" speech sparked controversy. The movement led to significant policies like Bill 101 and proposals for sovereignty-association, shaping Quebec's political landscape for decades.

Quebec Separatist Groups

Political Parties and Organizations Supporting Quebec Independence

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• Rassemblement pour l'Indépendance Nationale (RIN) was a political party founded in 1960 that advocated for Quebec's independence from Canada through peaceful and democratic means
• Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was a far-left paramilitary group active in the 1960s and 1970s that sought to achieve Quebec's independence through violent means such as bombings and kidnappings
• Parti Québécois is a provincial political party founded in 1968 by René Lévesque that has consistently advocated for Quebec sovereignty and has formed the government in Quebec multiple times (1976-1985, 1994-2003, 2012-2014)
  • The party's goal is to hold a referendum on Quebec independence and establish Quebec as a sovereign nation
  • In government, the Parti Québécois has introduced policies to protect and promote Quebec's distinct French language and culture (Bill 101)

Key Figures and Events

Influential Leaders and Moments in the Quebec Separatist Movement

• René Lévesque was a prominent Quebec politician who founded the Parti Québécois in 1968 and served as Premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985
  • Lévesque was a key figure in the Quebec sovereignty movement and led the "Yes" side in the 1980 Quebec referendum on sovereignty-association, which was defeated with 59.6% voting "No"
  • His government passed significant legislation to protect the French language in Quebec (Bill 101) and laid the groundwork for future attempts at independence
• French President Charles de Gaulle gave a controversial speech in Montreal in 1967 where he declared "Vive le Québec libre!" ("Long live free Quebec!"), which was interpreted as support for Quebec separatism
  • The speech caused a diplomatic incident between France and Canada and galvanized support for the Quebec independence movement
  • It demonstrated the international dimension of the conflict and France's historical and cultural ties to Quebec

Policies and Proposals

Legislation and Constitutional Visions Put Forward by Quebec Separatists

• The Charter of the French Language, also known as Bill 101, was a landmark law passed by the Parti Québécois government in 1977 to protect and promote the French language in Quebec
  • The law made French the sole official language of Quebec and required its use in government, business, education, and public signage, with limited exceptions for English
  • Bill 101 was controversial and parts of it were challenged in court, but it succeeded in making French the predominant language in Quebec society and a key marker of Quebec identity
• Sovereignty-association was the constitutional proposal put forward by the Parti Québécois government in the 1980 Quebec referendum
  • Under this plan, Quebec would become an independent state but maintain an economic and political partnership with the rest of Canada, sharing a common currency and joint institutions in certain areas
  • The proposal was an attempt to make independence more palatable to Quebecers who were worried about the economic impacts of separation, but it was ultimately rejected by voters in the referendum
  • Sovereignty-association remains the Parti Québécois' preferred model for Quebec independence, though the party has also proposed a more traditional form of independence in subsequent referendums (1995)