Chapter 6 - Quebec PDF

Preview

Summary

Quebec is the largest province in Canada and the only region in North America in which French is the dominant language. This is a region united (and divided) not by a particular physical landscape or dominant economic condition, but, rather, by a culture and shared history. Students need to understa...

Description

Chapter 6: Quebec

Overview Quebec is the largest province in Canada and the only region in North America in which French is the dominant language. This is a region united (and divided) not by a particular physical landscape or dominant economic condition, but, rather, by a culture and shared history. Students need to understand the history of Francophone Canada and the strong desire of Quebecois to hold on to their cultural traditions in light of the dominance of Anglophones across the rest of the continent.

Outline 1. Environmental Setting a. Landforms b. Environmental Geography Climate Change in Northern Quebec 2. Historical Settlement 3. Regional Economies and Politics a. Economic Activities b. Quebec’s Urban and Industrial Economies c. The Development of Quebecois Nationalism and the Quiet Revolution d. The Secession Movement in Quebec e. Cultural Geography: Hockey and Ethnic Identity in Quebec 4. Culture, Peoples, and Places a. Economic Geography: An Update on Separatism from an On-Site Correspondent in Quebec to the American Geographical Society b. Southern Quebec c. Northern Quebec d. Urban Places in Quebec 5. The Future of Quebec a. Toward Cultural Sustainability

Student Learning Outcomes   

   

Differentiate between Francophones, Anglophones, and Allophones in Canada. Compare the meaning of Lower Canada and Upper Canada as these terms relate to the St. Lawrence River. Contrast the locations of Quebec’s two largest cities—Montreal and Quebec City—and summarize the comparative advantages and disadvantages of each of these sites for successful human settlement. Describe some of the ways that Quebec’s environmental setting has influenced its economic patterns. Summarize the reasons why the region of Quebec is prone to certain kinds of natural hazards. List and discuss the contributions of indigenous peoples to early French settlement and survival in New France. Compare the French long lot system in Quebec with the metes and bounds system more often used to survey land holdings in the New England colonies.





    



List and discuss at least three important long-term outcomes of the signing of the Treaty of Paris on French and English settlement in North America in the decades following the Seven Years’ War. Compose a list of reasons to explain how Quebec has been able to maintain its French identity over the centuries (despite early political control by the British and later pressures to be absorbed into Anglophone Canada). Assess the importance of two types of primary production in Quebec over the years in terms of their importance to the region’s political economy today. Identify and discuss the three pillars of Quebec nationalism. Discuss some of the factors that have shaped Quebec’s unique sense of place and distinctive cultural landscapes. Formulate an argument defending recent descriptions of Montreal as one of Canada’s primary cultural capitals and most demographically diverse cities. Assess Quebec’s potential for sustaining its unique French heritage in the future despite increasing economic and political pressures to become more like the rest of Canada. List at least three kinds of environmental hazards that regularly threaten Quebec, and discuss why this region is especially prone to these types of threats.

Teaching Strategies for Chapter 6: Quebec 1. Environmental Setting If students examine Figure 1.3, which shows the population distribution of Canada, they will see that while Quebec is the largest province in Canada, population centers are focused in a relatively small area around the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries. Northern Quebec has a very small population and few settlements. The region has a cold climate with long snowy winters. While it is obvious that the farther north one travels, the colder and harsher the climate, the landforms of Quebec also contribute in significant ways to the discontinuous settlement pattern. The Canadian Shield covers a large portion of Canada. The Shield is made up of some of the oldest volcanic rock in the world, eroded over millions of years. A thin layer of soil covers the bedrock, because continental glaciers scraped away most of the soil during the last ice age. Water tends to flow over the rock rather than being absorbed into the ground. The year-round precipitation and lack of drainage result in a region covered in many lakes, rivers, and bogs. The combination of thin soils, poor drainage, and short, mild summers mean that most of the region is not suited to agriculture. Early European explorers used the abundant waterways to travel through the forested region in search of fur bearing animals. The northernmost portion of Quebec, called Nunavik, has more in common with the Far North region (covered in Chapter 18) than the rest of Quebec, both culturally and physically. Nunavik should not be confused with Nunavut, the newest and largest Canadian territory. Nunavik is populated by Inuit villages that rely on traditional local foods obtained from hunting in addition to expensive store-bought items. Climate change is particularly damaging to these communities. Melting ice disrupts local ecological patterns and makes travel to traditional hunting-and-gathering grounds more difficult. 2. Historical Settlement To understand the culture of Quebec, it is important to understand both the history and traditions of French settlement in the region, and the cultural and language

diversity of Quebec today. About 80 percent of Quebec’s population is Francophone. French settlement of the region began with Jacques Cartier, who arrived in 1534 looking for a way to travel to Asia. However, permanent settlement didn’t start until 1608 when Samuel Champlain established Quebec City. French settlers were Catholics, and converting native peoples was an important part of their goals. Catholic settlers had large families and maintained strong connections to their French cultural traditions. The Virtual Museum of Canada has created an online exhibit titled Seasons of New France, which offers insight into the lives of early French settlers (http://podcastmcq.org/Nouvelle-France/index.html). The exhibit includes still images, primary documents, and audio clips detailing their lives. The settlement of New France centered on the St. Lawrence Valley. The river valley divides the Canadian Shield from the northern end of the Appalachian Mountains, the land form of the Gaspe Peninsula, and Eastern Townships. The river was the center of a vast trade and transportation network. The French developed a close relationship with the native people of the region, particularly the Algonquins. The early economy centered on fur trading and lumber, but gradually the French realized that the lowlands of the St. Lawrence valley could be cleared to grow crops. The unique French seigniorial system and long lot system of land tenure produced a unique cultural landscape, the remnants of which can still be seen today. The seigniorial system reproduced the feudal rural society of France. Large tracts of land were given to favored members of the upper class who then recruited French peasants to come and work their land. Rivers were the main transportation routes. Land was divided into long narrow lots (Figure 6.6) so that each farmer would have river access. Students will see this long lot system again in Chapter 10 when they learn about French settlement in Louisiana. The Seven Years’ War was a conflict that took place not only in North America, but across the globe in relation to colonial claims of the major European powers. Students may be familiar with the fighting in North America as the French and Indian War because their native allies joined the French forces. In French Canada this conflict in North America is sometimes called la Guerre de la Conquete (The War of Conquest). It is important for students to realize that although the 13 Colonies were not part of the disputed territory, the fighting had significant impact on the future of British colonies in North America. Although the British were victorious in the Seven Years’ War, the government was faced with a huge debt. The heavy taxes imposed on the 13 Colonies were due in great part to this war debt. In addition, the American colonists no longer needed British protection from the French and so felt more confident in their bid for independence. It was during this conflict that Acadian settlers in the Maritime Provinces were to emigrate in what was called the Great Expulsion. French government was forced to hand over all of their lands in North America, resulting in a British territorial control of Quebec. Some French settlers chose to emigrate, but many remained in the region, determined to maintain their culture and way of life. Life under British colonial rule included rebellions by some Quebecois. This history sets the stage for the 20th century Quebecois separatist movement. 3. Regional Economies and Politics As discussed earlier, the early economy of Quebec was dominated by primary sector activities, particularly fur trading and logging. The Canadian Shield is also a region with significant mineral resources, especially asbestos and aluminum. Farming was

limited to areas of richer soil along the sheltered river valleys. However, unlike the Atlantic Provinces, the St. Lawrence River was a major transportation center, making Quebec a center of trade. Quebec’s major cities, Montreal and Quebec City, became centers for the development of secondary sector activities such as smelting and paper mills. After World War II, the region was able to attract additional industrialization. The region had plenty of workers, inexpensive hydroelectric power, and a well-developed transportation network. However, English-speaking interests from other parts of Canada or the United States dominated secondary sector activities. This pattern contributed to Quebecois’ sense of domination and contributed to separatist sentiments. Quebecois nationalism provides an interesting case study for the class to discuss issues of national and ethnic identity and the maintenance of such identity. During the 1950s and 1960s, changing economic conditions and continued immigration resulted in increasing assimilation of French-Canadians in to the dominant Englishspeaking culture of Canada, despite the fact that the Canadian government was, and still is, officially bilingual. As more and more people in Quebec moved into urban areas, their traditional way of life and attachment to Catholicism weakened. Many Anglophone and Allophone immigrants were also arriving in the large cities of Quebec during this time, creating a more integrated cosmopolitan society. The weakening of traditional ways of life prompted political activists to begin efforts to maintain and preserve French language and culture in the province. The European territorial ideal is the nation-state in which people of one nation, who share a language, history, and culture, are governed by a separate state. There are few places in the world where this ideal comes even close to being played out. Most countries in the world include citizens who consider themselves part of more than one separate nation, giving rise to nationalistic separatist movements. In Quebec, the Quiet Revolution has pursued separation from Canada through electoral politics, but nationalist movements in many parts of the world turn violent. Questions for class discussion could include: Under what conditions do people who consider themselves a separate nation have the right to demand their own government? What would be the benefits and disadvantages for Quebec if a secession vote was to succeed? Is it necessary for Francophones to separate from Canada in order to maintain their language and culture? In addition to the background provided in the text, the Canadian Broadcast Company Digital Archives has a number of historical news videos of the Quiet Revolution, including the outbreak of bombing by the Front de liberation du Quebec during the late 1960s, which killed and injured a number of people in Quebec. Viewing one or more of these clips could be the starting point for a discussion of nationalist movements, and when (if ever) terrorist tactics are justified. 4. Culture, Peoples, and Places Quebec is defined by the ethnic identity and political power of Francophone Canadians. However, it is important for students to understand that the culture, peoples, and places of Quebec are marked by diversity and change as well as that strong Catholic, French cultural heritage. The cultural landscape, particularly in rural areas and small towns, is still marked by the presence of Catholic churches and other religious structures, but since WWII the power of the church has been declining. Like many places in Europe, urban Quebecois have become more secular and cosmopolitan. Within Quebec there is cultural diversity based not only on difference between rural and urban differences, but also on subregions within Quebec.

Students will likely be confused about Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Lower Canada and Upper Canada were designations created by the British Government after the Seven Years’ War, but these terms are still used within the region. Upper and lower refer to upstream and downstream areas. This is confusing for students because maps oriented with North at the top of the page would tend to indicate that northern Quebec would be “upper’.” So Upper Canada includes upstream areas around Lake Huron and Lake Superior and the Ottawa River, in other words, the southern part of Ontario. These are areas that would have been reached by travelling up the St. Lawrence River. Lower Canada includes Quebec and parts of Labrador, which were settled by the French and became part of Canada after the Seven Years’ War. This region is on the downstream end of the St. Lawrence River. Southern Quebec is the subregion of the province with 90 percent of the total population. This area can be divided in several ways. Physically, there are landforms — the St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachian Uplands. The farthest northern Appalachians are called the Chic Choc Mountains, located on the Gaspe Peninsula. Basque fishermen originally settled the Gaspe Peninsula. To the south, the Appalachian Uplands (to the east of Montreal) were settled by British Loyalists. Areas settled by the British can be recognized on the landscape because of the lack of a long lot pattern. The Eastern Townships are areas of growing tourism centered on rural traditions such as maple sugar making. However, the St. Lawrence Valley is the population and cultural center of Quebec. The largest cities in the province are located along the river. Northern Quebec, as stated earlier is largely populated by First Nation peoples, particularly the Inuit. Like Native Americans, First Nation people have struggled to deal with discrimination and regain self-governance within the state structure of Canada. In 1975, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was signed, providing a degree of self-governance for Inuit communities in Northern Quebec. The population of Quebec is about 80 percent urbanized. Although Montreal is not the largest city in Canada, it is one of the most diverse and culturally rich. This is a city with the best urban life can offer, including tower sky scrapers, a well-developed public transportation system, many museums, and a rich night life featuring a sophisticated music scene. While Francophones are the majority in Montreal, there are smaller populations of Anglophones and Allophones in the city as well. Montreal was an important center for travel and trade during the early settlement of the region because it is located where the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers meet. Quebec City, located downstream on the St. Lawrence, is the second largest city in Quebec, but is significantly smaller than Quebec. A number of additional small cities dot the banks of the St. Lawrence (see Table 6.1). 5. The Future of Quebec Quebec is developing bilingual culture, with more than 50 percent of the population speaking both French and English and more than 10 percent of the population being born outside of Canada. The Quebec government promotes cultural diversity through what it calls “interculturalism.” This approach encourages positive cultural exchanges between the Francophone majority and other cultural groups. This approach reflects the desire of the government to cultivate and maintain the Francophone heritage of the region. For example, children of immigrants are expected to learn French in schools. The majority of Quebecois who are descended from French ancestry still favor separation from Canada; however, the strong economy of the region is attracting many new immigrants. An interesting topic for class discussion would be

the justice of the Quebec government’s policies. How can the state both protect the French heritage of the region and provide fairly for the social welfare of new immigrants?

Answers to Review Questions 1. How is climate change affecting the natural environment and indigenous cultures of northern Quebec at the present time? The Inuit residents of Salluit have experienced mudslides and ground instability due to melting permafrost. Winter starts late and ends early, there is decreased snow accumulation and sea ice, and there are noticed changes in the behavior of staple species, as well as the introduction of new species that have not been seen in the region before. This has led to hunting becoming more difficult and dangerous, contributed to a loss of traditional knowledge, and undermines traditional sharing practices. The change from local, hunted or harvested foods to store-bought foods has had an economic impact as well as one on health for the community. Climate change is also making it more difficult for the Sallumiut (Inuit of Salluit) to pass on traditional knowledge that is based on the traditional climate patterns. 2. What are the major differences between the French-inspired long lot system in Quebec and the English-inspired metes and bounds system more commonly used in the New England colonies? The long lot system assigns long, narrow strips, or rows, of land that front on a river or road. Farmers build their houses along the rivers or roads, which ensures that each farmer has access to transportation. The metes and bounds system (measurements and boundaries) marks property boundaries based on markers such as trees, rocks, rivers, roads, and field stakes, as well as direction and distance to the next marker. 3. What were the advantages and disadvantages for urban expansion of the site selected for the founding of Montreal by early French explorers? Montreal is located on an island at the confluence of the Petite Riviere and the St. Lawrence River. 4. What are some of Quebec’s most serious environmental hazards, and why is this North American region likely to continue experiencing these kinds of disturbances on a regular basis? Students should mention the ice storms and blizzards that are common occurrences in this region, as well as flooding. 5. What were some of the long-term political impacts of the outcome of the Treaty of Paris for Canada and the United States? The Treaty of Paris led to the British taking control of all of France’s former colonies in North America. This meant that French settlers in Quebec had to adapt to British rule or emigrate from Canada. However, the British were left with huge debts from the Seven Years’ War. This war debt was one of the reasons that taxes were raised in the 13 Colonies, contributing to the formation of the rebellion.

6. What are some of the economic challenges that Quebec has faced over the years in its primary sector as compared to its secondary sector of production? Most of Quebec has thin, rocky soil, and the harsh northern climate has meant that farming has been limited to lowland river valleys. Early farmers grew wheat, which could be stored and shipped over long distances, but as the Great Plains was settled, Quebecois farmers could no longer compete. Asbestos mining was also an important part of the economy until it was linked to cancer. 7. How has Quebec maintained its i...