Quebec's Proud History (Histrionics)
Quebec really, truly, is not a reflection of the rest of Canada. It most certainly is different. Culturally it is its own state of being. Linguistically it exudes a country-bumpkinish kind of cosmopolitanism. It does pride itself on its exceptionalism, and it is that, as much self-manufactured as in actuality. And it does reflect its European heritage in many ways.
Canadians do love their francophone cousins. And the rest of Canada takes pride in Quebec's cultural superiority. Artistically Quebec has distinguished itself, its 19th Century artists, writers, politicians had a notable influence on the rest of Canada. The reverse cannot truly be said to be so. Non-francophones do not influence the Quebecois. Other than to infuriate them with their incompetence and lack of respect due Quebec.
It is more than instructive to read of the Catholic Church in Quebec as an influential institution. It's well enough known that the Catholic Church was Quebec in many ways, up to the Silent Revolution. The strictured and strict values of the Church informed Quebecers how they may live, react, and comport themselves. In league with the politicians of turn-of-the-Century-and-beyond Quebec; xenophobic and anti-Semitic.
There was the nation of Quebec and there was non-Quebec. Anything that reflected the British founding influence was despised. If Britain was at war with Germany, then Germany must be doing something right. And they were, actually, realizing that European Jews were a menace to society, and they could have Montreal's Jews for the asking, though they never got around to it.
Vichy France made its accord with fascist Germany and that was good enough for Quebec. Quebec nationalists were strenuously opposed to Canada's entry into World War II to aid Britain. President of the Syndicate Catholiques de Montreal, the umbrella trades union claimed the Nazis would not destroy democracy; it would perish because of "Judeo-International finance".
"Don't worry, we will have something to eat without going to war. Let's send the Jews to the war". Marshall Petain made his pact with Nazi Germany and ruled from Vichy, maintaining strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church. Le Devoir congratulated Vichy for ending France's alliance with Britain in a front-page editorial.
Future mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau had his isolationist rants printed in LeDevoir, claiming that French Canada "would be betrayed by a "Judeo-Anglo-Saxon" victory. Henri Bourassa, Quebec's nationalist icon, condemned Canadian action in the war, praising Vichy. He was not alone; senior Catholic clerics, the Catholic paper L'Action catholique and LeDevoir all were of the same accord.
A history to be proud of, non?
Canadians do love their francophone cousins. And the rest of Canada takes pride in Quebec's cultural superiority. Artistically Quebec has distinguished itself, its 19th Century artists, writers, politicians had a notable influence on the rest of Canada. The reverse cannot truly be said to be so. Non-francophones do not influence the Quebecois. Other than to infuriate them with their incompetence and lack of respect due Quebec.
It is more than instructive to read of the Catholic Church in Quebec as an influential institution. It's well enough known that the Catholic Church was Quebec in many ways, up to the Silent Revolution. The strictured and strict values of the Church informed Quebecers how they may live, react, and comport themselves. In league with the politicians of turn-of-the-Century-and-beyond Quebec; xenophobic and anti-Semitic.
There was the nation of Quebec and there was non-Quebec. Anything that reflected the British founding influence was despised. If Britain was at war with Germany, then Germany must be doing something right. And they were, actually, realizing that European Jews were a menace to society, and they could have Montreal's Jews for the asking, though they never got around to it.
Vichy France made its accord with fascist Germany and that was good enough for Quebec. Quebec nationalists were strenuously opposed to Canada's entry into World War II to aid Britain. President of the Syndicate Catholiques de Montreal, the umbrella trades union claimed the Nazis would not destroy democracy; it would perish because of "Judeo-International finance".
"Don't worry, we will have something to eat without going to war. Let's send the Jews to the war". Marshall Petain made his pact with Nazi Germany and ruled from Vichy, maintaining strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church. Le Devoir congratulated Vichy for ending France's alliance with Britain in a front-page editorial.
Future mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau had his isolationist rants printed in LeDevoir, claiming that French Canada "would be betrayed by a "Judeo-Anglo-Saxon" victory. Henri Bourassa, Quebec's nationalist icon, condemned Canadian action in the war, praising Vichy. He was not alone; senior Catholic clerics, the Catholic paper L'Action catholique and LeDevoir all were of the same accord.
A history to be proud of, non?
Labels: Canada, Conflict, Culture, Politics of Convenience
posted by Pieface | 7:27 PM
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