The Maurice Duplessis Era

Term Paper # 104463

Canadian Studies
Canadian Studies > Government and Government Policy

An overview of the Duplessis Era in Quebec Province and whether it can be considered progressive or regressive.

2,345 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the Duplessis Era is one of the most reviled political eras in Canadian history where social and political freedoms were increasingly rolled back resulting in a loss of individual freedoms of speech and representation. It also looks at how the consolidation of provincial power under the control of Duplessis' UN party platform and the party's control of the Church throughout the province meant that individuals and groups that expressed opinions counter to Duplessis' government received little attention at best or direct resistance at worst. The paper then discusses how, in retrospect, while the social and political dimensions of Duplessis Era rule might be considered regressive and autocratic in nature, hindsight informs the objective reviewer that economically many of the Duplessis Era policies laid the foundation for economic expansion and development both during the Duplessis government and thereafter and could thus be considered progressive in outlook.

From the Paper:

"The progressive or regressive characterization of the Maurice Duplessis Era (Duplessis Era) in Canadian history with respect to Quebec is a difficult undertaking. Duplessis was the premier of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and again from 1944 to 1959 during which his reign has been associated with primarily negative connotations both for his early personal debauchery and later, during his second stint, for his social and political policies (Paulin & Alleyn, 2005, p.19). Duplessis' control of the Provincial government in Quebec has little precedent in modern politics and might be likened to such absolute political control as represented by many fascist or totalitarian regimes throughout history. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Belanger, C. (2006). Chapter Two: The Quiet Revolution & Modern Quebec Separatism. Canada's Heritage: Quebec Separatist Movement, p.2.
Chanlat, A. (1991). Managing in the Quebec Style: Original and Vulnerabilty. International Studies of Management & Organization, 21/3, pp.10-37.
Fraser, B. (1950). Labor and the Church in Quebec. Foreign Affairs, 28/2, pp.247-254.
Jones, R. (1983). Duplessis and the Union Nationale Administration. Canadian Historical Association, Toronto.
Lamontagne, M. (1984). Business Cycles in Canada: The Postwar Experience and Policy Directions. Lorimer, Toronto.