What - if any - effect did the French Revolution have in the province of Quebec?

by TheShaman43

I'm aware that the answer to this question might simply be "very little or none at all". But I'm curious...It seems to me that the events and ideas of the French Revolution had a great impact on the history of Haiti, but what of the other Francophone culture in the Americas? Obviously there is a major difference in that Haiti was under French rule and Quebec under British rule, but the people of Quebec were culturally and linguistically French. Was news of the revolution widespread in Quebec? Did the revolutionary ideas have any cultural or political ramifications in Canada or was it just a passing news story?

this_is_bumby

You're question sparked my interest, here's the result of a little research...

Quotes taken from Michel Tétu, "Quebec and the French Revolution" http://www.revparl.ca/english/issue.asp?art=819&param=130

- At first, it seems that most canadiens-français were pro-Revolution.

"The English victory and the Treaty of Paris created a shockwave. No one had the slightest notion as to why France had abandoned such a great country. Scornfully the people blamed Mme Pompadour, Louis XV's mistress. They blamed Bigot, the Intendant of New France, who had failed miserably in his duty of making the colony turn a profit. They blamed Montcalm, the Governor, who was unable to defend his city during the famous siege that cost him his life."

  • Information about the Revolution was pretty available, as "Although French citizens could not enter Canada, Canadiens -- that is, French citizens born in Canada -- could go to and from France as they pleased. Many shuttled back and forth to settle their affairs. News of what was happening in France was, therefore, readily available."

- Now remember that the British had recently taken over the colony of Canada from the French. It was important that the Revolution not reach the colony, esp. considering that French Canadians greatly outnumbered the English. Policies WERE therefore adopted to sway public opinion. Of course this was helped by the natural course of the Revolution ...

"In 1794 the English numbered 25,000, and the Canadiens, 150,000. The former were afraid that the Revolution, despite everything, would reach Canada and gain ground there. They also feared the United States and learned to use a new tactic against the Revolution: psychological warfare.

There were constant reminders of the deaths of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette since the Canadiens were actually very strong royalists. They swore an oath to the king of England but they were still faithful to the king of France.

There were also constant reminders of the massacres of priests, and nobles and the ransacking of property. The Canadiens were attached to their seigneurs and the seigneurial system. The seigneurs were not at all like the feudal lords in France; most often they were Canadiens who had been given a parcel of land to manage.

The English took exceptional measures against foreigners, and passed laws to prevent anyone coming recently from France from entering Canada by sea, or land by way of the United States. The borders were sealed and watched carefully."

- There were, some cases of resistance against the government. Apparently some realized that the gov. was using fear tactics and they did put up a fight. A few cases are listed in the original article (too many to submit).

HOWEVER, the ideals of the Revolution did not die. Along with the American Revolution, the notion that the populace can effect change as well as the idea of independence and a "Québec Libre" coloured Canadian history throughout the 19th, 20th, and even 21st centuries.

TL;DR - French Canadians were for it, then against it, but inception of the idea created a shitstorm for years to come.

EDIT: First time formatting