Les Samedis de l'histoire

Through a partnership with the Société historique de Montréal, we are presenting The Québec Struggles of de Gaulle and his Successors: Circumstances and Consequences (in French) as part of our Samedis de l'histoire lecture series.

General de Gaulle’s relations with French Canadians and Quebecers are much deeper than generally believed. From the time of war in 1939-45 until his resignation as President of the Republic, he made several gestures of affection and support to “this piece of the French population.”

Drawing on archives from the Élysée, the Quai d’Orsay, and Québec that have long been kept secret, this lecture takes a novel look at the origins of Québec diplomacy, at General de Gaulle’s travels to Québec, and at the original initiative French presidents have taken to consolidate the French fact in Québec and increase relations between the two peoples. Fertile Franco-Québec relations also allowed Québec to expand its influence at the international level.

This lecture also sheds some light on the unexpected impacts of the actions of President de Gaulle and his successors—especially Pompidou, Giscard d’Estaing, Mitterrand, and Chirac—on important aspects of Québec’s development.

It also provides a unique opportunity to view excerpts from important archival films that are not very well known to the public, to see an array of period photos, and to hear excerpts from major speeches.

Roger Barrette possesses Master’s degrees in history and management. He has taught at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université Laval, and at the École nationale d’administration publique (ÉNAP). He was also the chief justice of the Québec tribunal specializing in labour law. A member of the Commission franco-québécoise sur les lieux de mémoire communs (CFQLMC), he has also been the Québec president of the Association Québec-France and president of the Société historique de Québec. He is the author of several books and articles, notably of biographies appearing in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

The lecture is held in French