Quebec Independence/Separatism/Sovereignity

Updated: June 30, 2003

CANADIAN STUDIES RESOURCES
Quebec Independence/Separatism/Sovereignity
Chronology

This page is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Canadian Studies Roundtable,
the MSU Canadian Studies Centre and the MSU Libraries

Note: All locations and call numbers for books & other materials pertain to the Michigan State University Libraries.

1534	French explorer Jacques Cartier lands in Quebec.
1759	The British seize Quebec from the French.
1759	The British seize Quebec from the French. . .
1837	French nationalists stage rebellion against British rule.
1867	Quebec and English-speaking Canada join in confederation.
1869	French-speakers in prairie provinces rebel, fueling nationalism in Quebec. Outrage is fanned when rebel leader is hung in 1885.
1896	Wilfrid Laurier becomes first French-Canadian prime minister
1917	Federal troops squelch opposition in Quebec to World War I draft.
1942	World War II Conscription crisis.
1960	Beginning of the Quiet Revolution.
1967	During an official state visit, French President Charles de Gaulle produces a major crisis by announcing "Long Live Free Quebec" ( Vive le Québec libre!)
1968	Rene Levesque founds separatist Parti Quebecois.
1970	Separatist militants, after bombing campaign, kidnap British diplomat, kill Quebec labor minister. The Federal Government suspends civil liberties in Quebec by invoking the War Measures Act.
1980	Separatists lose independence referendum by 60-40 margin.
1987	Meech Lake accord drafted
1990	Meech Lake accord offering recognition of Quebec as a "distinct society" fails to win ratification.
1992	Charlottetown Accord
1994	Jacques Parizeau elected Quebec premier on platform promising referendum on independence
1995	Quebeckers vote against sovereignty, 50.6% to 49.4%.

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