History of Quebec For Dummies

Packing in equal parts fun and facts, History of Quebec For Dummies is an engaging and entertaining guide to the history of Canada's second-largest province, covering the conflicts, cultures, ideas, politics, and social changes that have shaped Quebec as we know it today.

"My country isn't a country, it is winter!" sings the poet Gilles Vigneault . . . Indeed, Quebec is winter, snow, cold, and freezing winds. It is also the majestic river Saint-Laurent and its numerous confluences across America. It is vast, dense forests, countless lakes, magnificent landscapes of Saguenay, Charlevoix, Côte-Nord, or Gaspésie. Quebec is also the "old capital" perched on the Cape Diamond facing the sea. It is Montreal, the first French city of North America, the creative and innovative metropolis, junction for different cultures and heart of a nation yearning to belong to the world's history. History of Quebec For Dummies tells Quebec's fascinating story from the early fifteen hundreds to the present, highlighting the culture, language, and traditions of Canada's second-largest province.

• Serves as the ideal starting place to learn about Quebec
• Covers the latest, up-to-the-minute findings in historical research
• Explores the conflicts, cultures, ideas, politics, and social changes in Quebec

Lifelong learners and history buffs looking for a fun-yet-factual introduction to the grand scope of Quebec history will find everything they need in History of Quebec For Dummies.

Foreword xiii

Introduction 1

Part I: New France (1524–1754) 7

Chapter 1: Looking for China — and Finding Quebec! (1524–1610) 9

Chapter 2: Founding a Colony (1611–1660) 25

Chapter 3: Exploring a Continent (1661–1701) 41

Chapter 4: A French Province (1701–1754) 55

Part II: Conquered but Still Alive (1754–1867) 71

Chapter 5: The Coming of the English (1754–1763) 73

Chapter 6: The American Temptation (1763–1790) 85

Chapter 7: The Birth of Lower Canada and the Parti Canadien (1791–1822) 97

Chapter 8: From the Repression of the Patriotes to the Act of Union (1823–1840) 111

Chapter 9: Responsible Government and Religious Awakening (1840–1860) 125

Chapter 10: Confederation (1860–1867) 137

Part III: Survival (1867–1939) 149

Chapter 11: “Riel, Our Brother, Is Dead” (1867–1896) 151

Chapter 12: Conscription (1897–1928) 163

Chapter 13: The Depression (1929–1938) 175

Part IV: The Quiet Reconquest (1939–1967) 189

Chapter 14: War (1939–1944) 191

Chapter 15: Le Chef (1944–1959) 203

Chapter 16: The “Quiet Revolution” (1959–1962) 217

Chapter 17: The Reforms Continue (1963–1967) 231

Part V: Province or Country? (1967 to Today) 247

Chapter 18: Revolt (1967–1972) 249

Chapter 19: The Opening of James Bay and the Election of the Parti Québécois (1973–1979) 263

Chapter 20: Federalism: A Risk Worth Taking (1980–1987) 279

Chapter 21: Almost a Country (1987–1995) 295

Chapter 22: Balanced Budget and Reasonable Accommodation (1996–2012) 311

Part VI: The Part of Tens 327

Chapter 23: Ten Mythical Personalities 329

Chapter 24: Ten Quebec Symbols 337

Chapter 25: Ten Quebec Landmarks 345

Index 353

Éric Bédard received his PhD from McGill University, and has a degree in international affairs from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris. A professor at the University of Quebec, he is the author of Les Réformistes, for which he won the Clio-Quebec award from the Canadian Historical Association.

• Explore the conflicts, culture, ideas, politics, and social changes that have shaped Quebec
• Trace the unique history of the French-Canadian heartland as it happened
• Appreciate Quebec's rich culture

Your personal tour guide to the history of Quebec!

From rip-roaring rebellions and conquests to political and economic turbulence, Quebec has seen it all and much more! If you've ever wanted to explore the important events of Canada's most illustrious province, then this fun and informative guide is for you. Brimming with facts, History of Quebec For Dummies takes you on a lively tour of Quebec's past and present, uncovers the fascinating story behind the aboriginal peoples of Quebec, treks through the early years of European explorations, and brings to life the cast of characters, cultures, and traditions that helped shape modern Quebec. With the help of History of Quebec For Dummies, you can finally get to grips with all the thrilling facts you may have missed in history class!

• Get the lowdown on Quebec's first inhabitants — discover the indigenous tribes that populated Quebec a whopping 12,000 years before the arrival of the Europeans
• Track the early years of French settlement — find out how Quebec was first discovered in the race for the New World and meet the major players that made it happen
• Explore the birth of Canada's largest province — understand how and why the colony of New France was transformed into Quebec as we know it today
• Get familiar with conflicts in Quebec's past — explore the roots of the independence movement and the issue of sovereignty
• Delve into modern Quebec — take a closer look at the political and economic highs and lows of recent decades

Open the book and find:

• Turning points in Quebec history, past and present
• The effect of European colonization on Quebec politics and culture
• Insight into the relationship between French- and English-speaking Canada
• How Quebec became a beacon of French language and culture in North America
• The impact of world events on Quebec
• Ten iconic Quebec figures, symbols, and landmarks