Chapter 4TO WHAT EXTENT DO PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES WITH

NATIONALISM VARY?

Is there a collective consciousness

in a Canadian Context?

Collective consciousness: a sharing of similar values, beliefs, and

internalized feelings based on shared experiences.

So what is Canada?

What is Canadian?

When did we become a nation?

#2

Did Canada become a nation?

During U.S. revolution, many Americans went to B.C.

July 1 1867, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec made “Canada”

Unification of coast to coast b/c of the CPR.

1870 Manitoba joined dominion. B.C. in 1871 and AB and Sask. 1905.

First World War- Canadians fought together, not British and French.

Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947

Newfoundland joining in 1948

Constitution Act of 1982

The native inhabitants that lived here before Europeans.

Upper and Lower Canada, the constitutional act of 1791 legally established two provinces under a joint governor-in-chief.

Upper- British and Lower- French

#3

In 1867, How did Canada

look?

Confederation in 1867, 90% of Canadian came from

British or French backgrounds.

Most of them settled in the east, French mostly

stayed in Quebec and the rest started moving

throughout the four provinces.

Canada in 1905

Key Moments in History that help

define a sense of collective

consciousness in Canada

1) Victory at Vimy Ridge:

Defining moment- first time that Canadian troops fought

in a Canadian-run military operation. 4 divisions from all

of Canada stormed the ridge. Their victory was an

important part of the war.

Vimy became a symbol of Canadian nationalism.

National expression- Memorial in the area surrounding,

representing the 60000 dead Canadians.

#6

The Canadian Charter of

rights and freedoms

Part of the Canadian constitution. The charter guarantees certain freedoms

List the four from pg. 77

Guarantees legal rights such as,

The presumption of innocence

The right to life, liberty, and security of person

Security against unreasonable search and seizure

Guarantees democratic rights such as,

List the 3 from pg. 78

* Charter also includes language rights, English and French are established as official languages, and certain minority rights are guaranteed.

#7

Canada Day

1879 Canada’s national day was called Dominion

Day

1958 federal government began staging official

celebrations for Dominion Day

1968 multicultural elements were added

1980 government promoted and sponsored local

celebrations, including fireworks.

1982 holiday officially renamed Canada Day

#8

Answer…

Could the support of the ideals of the charter reflect a

shared collected consciousness for Canadians? In

what ways?

Is Canada Day an expression of nationalism by the

Canadian government or by the people of Canada?

Do Canada Day celebrations reflect the internalized

feelings of Canadians?

In what ways can immigration widen the scope of who

may share a Canadian collective consciousness?

Is there a range of collective

consciousness among people in

Canada?

With in Canada people have diverse understandings

of nation. Quebecois in Canada, First nations and

Inuit hold alternative understandings of nation based

on their shared experiences.

Quebecois Nationalism

Historically, those who spoke French were Canadien or

Canadien-francais

Quebecois identity emerged in 20th century as a political

and linguistic distinction from Francophones from

elsewhere in Canada.

How has this Quebecois identity emerged as

internalized feeling shared uniquely by Francophones in

Quebec?

“Maitreschez nous” Masters in

our own house.

In last few decades of 20th, Quebec saw many

changes. Prior to, English businesses dominated,

and controlled employment.

Higher wages were paid to English speakers and

more job opportunities were available to them.

This led to reforms…

“La Revolution tranquille”

The Quiet Revolution 1960

Jean Lesage was elected premier of Quebec in 1960.

He reversed economic and political leadership of

Quebec, turning control over to French speaking

citizens.

What were the four reforms Lesage made(Pg. 82)?

Feelings of Nationalism grew, Quebecois collective

identity reduced Anglophone identity.

#9

Continued…

Quebecois nationalism continued to grow,

distinguishing French Quebec from Francophones

elsewhere.

This brought new “talks” to the table, regarding

constitutional change and Quebec status. Such as

Co-operative federalism

Sovereignty-association

Complete separation

For some- reforms were too moderate, they pushed for

more dramatic changes.

New groups like

RIN- (Rassemblement pour l’independence nationale)

MSA- (Movement Souveraintete-Association)

PQ- (Parti Quebecois) founded in 1968 by combining MSA and

RIN.

In the provincial election of 1970, the PQ won 23

percent of the popular vote, but only held 7/108 seats.

This situation, along with a tense political climate, led to

“Crise d’octobre” October Crises of 1970.

“Front de liberation du

Quebec” (FLQ)

Radical group that sparked change through protest

and violence. In October 1970 they Kidnapped and

murdered one person. This led the government to

take action.

The War Measures Act- suspended citizens legal

rights. This act was used to detain 400 Quebecois

without laying any charges. This brought even more

tension and division between groups.

#10

Royal Commission on

Bilingualism and Biculturalism

During the 1960s Prime Minister Pearson responded to people

wanting to separate by using this report as grounds for

establishing Canada as Bilingual with two official languages.

It recommended that French and English would be used in

Federal courts, Parliament and Federal government.

This was seen as a stepping stone in the right direction for

many Quebecois. It led to the Official Languages Act later

on…

#11

Official Languages Act,1969

Pierre Trudeau pushed for further recognition and

promotion of the French language and in 1982 the

enshrining of the Francophone identity in The Canadian

Charter of Rights and Freedoms further promoted

francophone identity.

This would guarantee future for Francophone Quebecois by

securing culture and language. But many felt linguistic and

education was still lacking in the Charter and it did not go far

enough.

#11

Parti-Quebecois (PQ)

Led by Rene Levesque, this party offered sovereignty

and an independent Quebec.

Promoted sovereignty-association

In 1980, Levesque presented a referendum asking if

people wanted sovereignty from Canada.

60% voted against the move. But many felt that the

new constitution still gave very little to the Quebecois.

The Mulroney era…

In 1987 Prime Minister Brian Mulroney tried to amend the

constitution to include the issues and concerns of Quebec.

Big meeting, all premiers met at Meech Lake to draft details, a

tentative agreement was drawn up.

Quebec would be recognized as a distinct society within

Canada. Each province had 3 years to pass such details,

Newfoundland and Manitoba failed to do so. This added fuel to

the fire for the Quebecois. Some set up a new Party…Bloc

Quebecois.

He would try again… In 1992 PM Mulroney tried to ratify the

Charlottetown Accord, this time putting the issue of Quebec’s

recognition as a distinct society to a national vote (a

referendum). Once again the accord failed to be passed.

Bloc Quebecois…

The 1990s brought expressions of Quebecois nationalism, this period

heightened the separatist movement.

The Parti Quebecois was elected in Quebec and held a provincial

referendum in 1995. It reflected strong support for sovereignty.

50.58 said to stay, 49.42 said to leave.

WOW, pretty close. Support has began to decline since.

#12

First Nations Nationalism

There are many understandings of who the First Nations are, they

have an internalized feeling of being a people with a shared history,

experience, language and culture. And this may be specific to a

certain First Nations group.

These diverse groups share a collective consciousness such as “we

are the first peoples of Canada”.

#13

First Nations groups

Read what the following people have to say.

Ovide Mercredi, George Eramus, Mathew Coon Come, Paulette

fox, Chief John Snow, Elder Poitras, Shiela Watt-Cloutier and

Marlina Greig.

Continued…

Read and complete the questions that follow the reading:

A Declaration of First Nations (86)

Who are the Métis? (87)

Inuit Perspectives (89)

Exploring American Identity

Do Americans share a collective

consciousness?

Diverse backgrounds, however do Americans share

collective consciousness?

What makes them think “I am American”

1. Independence Day

2. Statue of Liberty

3. Landing of the pilgrim fathers

4. Boston Tea party

American Revolution

1775-1776

You gain support by winning! American

independence from Britain made American

identity stronger.

American nationalism grew and Britain tried

stopping it, but eventually war broke out.

1776, 13 colonies voted for a Declaration of

Independence...The United States of America

was born.

#14

Melting Pot

People from a variety of ethnicities cultures, and

religions form an American “new man”

A term referring to the assimilation of new immigrants

to the dominant culture of their new country.

Does the idea of an American melting pot hold true for

all immigrants?

Civil War 1861-1865

The United States was/is divided. ..

South (the confederation) had slaves

North (the union) were opposed to slavery.

1862 President Abraham Lincoln wrote

Emancipation Proclamation claiming freedom for all.

The war was bloody and gruesome but the north

won.

The American Dream…the

myth

Lured people by saying “land of plenty, opportunity

and destiny”

“Land of Milk and Honey”

The American dream is the idea that immigrants have

the freedom to achieve their goals…

One’s abilities not one’s class

This is an example of a National Myth- national

expression

Defenders of Democracy

Americans portrayed in news media, movies

and television as defenders of

democracy…based on their military role in

conflicts. “You win, you get support”

Read the timeline on pg. 94 and answer: Why do

Americans view themselves as defenders of

democracy? Do others view America as defenders

of democracy?