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🇨🇦history of canada – 1867 to present review

Grande noirceur

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Grande noirceur, or 'Great Darkness,' refers to a period in Quebec's history during the late 1940s and 1950s characterized by conservative governance, a strong influence of the Catholic Church, and social stagnation. This era is marked by the dominance of Maurice Duplessis and his Union Nationale party, which resisted modern reforms and maintained traditional values, leading to significant social and economic challenges for the province.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The grande noirceur was characterized by strict government control over many aspects of life, with the Catholic Church playing a pivotal role in education and health care.
  2. During this period, many Quebeckers experienced economic hardship due to lack of industrial growth and modernization initiatives.
  3. Duplessis' government promoted a rural way of life and discouraged urbanization and labor movements, which contributed to social unrest.
  4. The era is often remembered for its oppressive atmosphere, where dissent against the government or church was frequently suppressed.
  5. The grande noirceur set the stage for the Quiet Revolution, as many citizens began to seek reform and modernization in response to years of conservative rule.

Review Questions

  • How did Maurice Duplessis contribute to the political landscape of Quebec during the grande noirceur?
    • Maurice Duplessis played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Quebec during the grande noirceur by leading the Union Nationale party. His government promoted conservative values, heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, which affected social policies and governance. Duplessis resisted progressive reforms, resulting in economic stagnation and limiting social advancements for Quebeckers during this time.
  • Discuss how the influence of the Catholic Church during the grande noirceur affected education and social policies in Quebec.
    • During the grande noirceur, the Catholic Church held significant sway over education and social policies in Quebec. The church managed schools and hospitals, embedding religious teachings into education while influencing healthcare practices. This dominance stifled progressive ideas and contributed to a conservative societal framework that resisted modernization, ultimately leading to growing discontent among citizens seeking change.
  • Evaluate the impact of the grande noirceur on subsequent movements for social change in Quebec, particularly during the Quiet Revolution.
    • The grande noirceur had a profound impact on subsequent movements for social change in Quebec. The oppressive environment fostered by Duplessis' government and the Catholic Church led to widespread frustration among Quebeckers. This unrest laid the groundwork for the Quiet Revolution, a transformative period when citizens sought to assert their identity, modernize their society, and reduce church influence on public life. The desire for reform directly stemmed from the limitations imposed during the grande noirceur.