Québec Separatism

FRENCH-CANADIAN SEPARATISM is a reflection of the uneasy position of French-speaking Québec in English-speaking Canada. Its historical roots date at least to the 1840s. Whether based on nationalist or economic motives, it seeks to restore special status and pride by either establishing total equality with English Canada or by actually separating and establishing a new sovereign nation.

Québec was largely independent from 1791 to 1841, at least it was free of other Canadian influences and direction. Confederation lessened Québec's status within Canada and fueled Québécois resentment. English Canada exacerbated the situation by executing Louis Riel in 1885 for leading the Metis uprising in the northwest and removing the Metis. The Manitoba Schools Question of 1890 eventually led to the end of Frenchlanguage schools in Manitoba, further ...