Pierre Elliot Trudeau :: essays research papers

Pierre Elliot TrudeauPublished in 1968, nationalism and the French Canadians is anideological anthology featuring a series of endeavors written by PierreElliot Trudeau during his time worn-out(a) with the Federal expectant party ofCanada. The emphasis of the book deals with the problems and conflictsfacing the country during the Duplessis regime in Quebec. WhileTrudeau stresses his adamant convictions on Anglophone/Francophonerelations and struggles for equality in a confederated land, he alsoelaborates on his own ideological views pertaining to Federalism andNationalism. The reader is introduced to some(prenominal)(prenominal) essays that discussProvincial legislature and conflict (Quebec and the totalProblem, A Constitutional Declaration of Rights) while othercompositions deal with impending and contemporary Federal predicaments(Federal Grants to Universities, The Practice and Theory ofFederalism, Separatist Counter-Revolutionaries). Throughout all thesedocumented individu alized accounts and critiques, the reader learns thatTrudeau is a sharp critic of contemporary Quebec nationalism and thathis boot political conviction (or thesis) is sporadically reflectedin each essay Federalism is the tho possible system of politicsthat breeds and sustains equality in a multicultural country such asCanada.Trudeau is fervent and stalwart in his opinions towardsFederalism and its ramifications on Canadian citizenry. Born andraised in Quebec, he attended several prestigious institutions thateducated him about the political spectrum of the country. After histime spent at the London School of Economics, Trudeau returned toQuebec at a time when the res publica was experiencing vast differenceswith its Federal overseer. The Union Nationale, a religiousnationalist political campaign rooted deep in the heart of Quebec culture, hadforced the Federal government to reconcile and mediate with them inorder to avoid civil inconvenience or unrest. The Premier of Quebec at thetime, Maurice Duplessis, found it almost impossible to stay on theneeds of each diverse interest group and faction revolt within theprovince and ultimately buckled underneath the increasing pressure.Many Francophones believed that they were creation discriminated andtreated unfairly due to the British North American accomplishment which failed torecognize the unique nature of the province in its list of provisions.Trudeau, with the economic aid of several colleagues, fought the imminent waveof social chaos in Quebec with anti-clerical and communist visions heobtained while in his adolescent years. However, as the nationalistmovement gained momentum against the Provincial government, Trudeaucame to the startling realization that Provincial autonomy would nonsolidify Quebecs future in the country (he believed that separatismwould soon follow) and unless Duplessis could successfully negotiate(on the issue of a constitution) with the rest of Canada, the prospectof self-sovere ignty for Quebec would transpire.His first essay (Quebec and the Constitutional Problem) explores