Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Quebec's Quiet Revolution
What do you think of when you hear the word revolution? You may think of one government being replaced violently by another. However, not all revolutions are violent. Quebec's awakening to its own potential was known as the Quiet Revolution.
Since the end of the Seven Years War, Quebec was controlled by English interests. Until about 1960, most of the province's natural resources were controlled by England, Canada, and the United States. It was the Scottish Quebecers who saw much of Quebec's potential and built up industries. French workers labored, but few rose to boardroom positions. Supporting this position was Maurice Duplessis, the longtime premier of Quebec. When he died in 1959, time was right for change.
Since World War II, the people of Quebec learned more about the world through radio. Then they saw more with the first TVs. They were no longer content to live in near poverty. In the next election they were offered a new candidate. Jean Lesage ran with slogans like "Masters of our own house" and "Things have to change." The public agreed. On June 22, 1960, an ordinary election became a revolution.
