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Vive le Québec libre

December 15, 2023

"Vive le Québec libre !" (French: [viv lə ke.bɛk libʁ], 'Long live free Quebec!') was a phrase in a speech delivered by French President Charles de Gaulle in Montreal, Quebec on July 24, 1967, during an official visit to Canada for the Expo 67 world's fair. While giving an address to a large crowd from a balcony at Montreal City Hall, he uttered "Vive Montréal ! Vive le Québec !" ("Long live Montreal! Long live Quebec!") and then added, followed by loud applause, "Vive le Québec libre !" ("Long live free Quebec!") with particular emphasis on the word libre. The phrase, a slogan used by Quebecers who favoured Quebec sovereignty, was seen as giving his support to the movement.

French President Charles de Gaulle shortly after giving the “Vive le Québec libre” speech. In the background, Mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau.

The speech caused a diplomatic incident with the Government of Canada and was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, saying that "Canadians do not need to be liberated".[1] In France, though many were sympathetic to the cause of Quebec nationalism, De Gaulle's speech was criticized as a breach of protocol.

Background edit

 
Charles de Gaulle, 1963
 
General Charles De Gaulle on the Chemin du Roy,[2] Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, 1967

Even before his arrival, the Canadian federal government had been concerned about President de Gaulle's visit. Earlier that year, the French government had not sent a high-level representative to the funeral service for Governor General Georges Vanier.[3] This attracted notice in Canada, as Vanier and his wife, Pauline, had been personal friends of de Gaulle since 1940, when the latter was in exile in London, England.[3] In April, de Gaulle did not attend the 50th anniversary ceremonies commemorating the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge.[4] So worried was the Pearson government about potential interference of France in domestic affairs that Secretary of State for External Affairs, Paul Martin, was dispatched to visit de Gaulle in Paris to mend the two countries' relationship. The Montreal Gazette speculated in 2012—45 years after the speech—that de Gaulle was still annoyed over a perceived slight from World War II-era Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King's slow recognition of the new French government in late summer 1944.[5]

In the spring of 1966, as part of the Expo 67 diplomatic protocols, de Gaulle and all world leaders whose countries had an exhibit at the fair were invited to visit Canada during the spring and summer of 1967.[6] A few months later, de Gaulle was also sent a separate invitation to visit Quebec by Quebec premier Daniel Johnson.[6] De Gaulle, as a visiting head of state, should have arrived in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, as would be conventional protocol. Instead, he took the time to sail on the French navy's Mediterranean flagship, the cruiser Colbert, so that he could arrive in Quebec City, the capital city of the province of Quebec.[7] There, de Gaulle was cheered enthusiastically, while the new governor general, Roland Michener, was booed by the same crowd when viceregal salute was played at his arrival.[8] In his speech, de Gaulle spoke of his country's "evolving" ties with Quebec, hinting at his support for Quebec sovereignty.[9]

Speech edit

 
Montreal City Hall's balcony where De Gaulle gave his speech.

On July 15, before boarding the Colbert, de Gaulle told Xavier Deniau: "They will hear me over there, it will make waves!"[10] He also confided to his son-in-law General Alain de Boissieu that: "I am going to strike a strong blow. Things are going to get hot. But it is necessary. It is the last chance to rectify the cowardice of France."[10]

On July 24, de Gaulle arrived in Montreal and was driven up the Chemin du Roy to Montreal City Hall, where Mayor Jean Drapeau and Premier Johnson waited. De Gaulle was not scheduled to speak that evening, but the crowd chanted for him; he told Drapeau: "I have to speak to those people who are calling for me". According to a number of personal interviews with high-ranking French officials, as well as documents he uncovered, scholar Dale C. Thomson wrote that de Gaulle's statement was planned, and that he used it when the opportunity presented itself.[10]

De Gaulle stepped out onto the balcony to give a short address to the assembled masses which was also broadcast live on radio. In his speech he commented that his drive down the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, lined as it had been with cheering crowds, reminded him of his triumphant return to Paris after the liberation from Nazi Germany. The speech appeared to conclude with the words "Vive Montréal ! Vive le Québec !" ("Long live Montreal! Long live Quebec!"), but he then added, "Vive le Québec libre ! Vive, vive, vive le Canada français ! Et vive la France !" ("Long live free Quebec! Long live, long live, long live French Canada! And long live France!"),[11] whereupon the crowd roared with approval, especially after hearing, "Vive le Québec libre !".

Reaction edit

This statement, coming from the French head of state, was considered a serious breach of diplomatic protocol.[12][13] It emboldened the Quebec sovereignty movement, and produced tensions between the leadership of the two countries.[13] The crowd's reaction to de Gaulle's phrase was emotional and it sparked controversy with many English Canadians afterwards, as they were outraged at the implied threat to Canada's territorial integrity.[12] Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson rebuked de Gaulle with an official statement, delivered to the French Embassy on July 25, and read on national television that evening.[14] He said "The people of Canada are free. Every province in Canada is free. Canadians do not need to be liberated. Indeed, many thousands of Canadians gave their lives in two world wars in the liberation of France and other European countries."[14]

A media and diplomatic uproar ensued thereafter, which resulted in de Gaulle cutting short his visit to Canada.[15] The day after the speech, de Gaulle visited Expo 67 and hosted a banquet at the French pavilion. On July 26, instead of continuing his visit on to Ottawa, where he was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pearson, he decided to return to France on a French military jet.[16][17]

The newly appointed Canadian Minister of Justice, Pierre Trudeau, publicly wondered what the French reaction would have been if a Canadian Prime Minister shouted, "Brittany to the Bretons".[15] From then on, de Gaulle remained unimpressed by Trudeau, saying "Nous n'avons aucune concession, ni même aucune amabilité, à faire à M. Trudeau, qui est l'adversaire de la chose française au Canada." ("We have not one concession, nor even any courtesy, to extend to Mr. Trudeau, who is the adversary of the 'French fact' in Canada.")[18] De Gaulle was also heavily criticized by a large part of the French media for his breach of international protocol, in particular by Le Monde.[19]

Meanwhile, to members of the Quebec sovereignty movement, the speech was viewed as a watershed moment.[13] Occurring soon after the Quiet Revolution, and taking into account the low economic and political state of French Canadians at the time, the support of a foreign head of state seemed to add credibility to the movement in the eyes of many, including future Quebec premier René Lévesque.[20][21]

On the flight home from Montreal, de Gaulle told René de Saint-Légier de la Saussaye—his diplomatic counsellor—that the event was "a historical phenomenon that was perhaps foreseeable but it took a form that only the situation itself could determine. Of course, like many others I could have got away with a few polite remarks or diplomatic acrobatics, but when one is General De Gaulle, one does not have recourse to such expedients. What I did, I had to do it."[22]

In 1969, de Gaulle visited Brittany, during which, in Quimper, he declaimed a poem written by his uncle (also called Charles de Gaulle) in the Breton language, expressing devotion to Breton culture. The speech, well received by the crowd, followed a series of crackdowns on Breton nationalism. He was accused of double standards for, on the one hand demanding a free Quebec, while on the other oppressing the movement in Brittany.[23] During this Quimper speech, he replied to this criticism that Brittany was free and had been freed by Bretons and other French forces during the Liberation, reminding them that the Resistance was more intense in Brittany than in any other part of France, and that many Bretons had joined the Free French Forces.[24]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Prime Minister Pearson stands up to de Gaulle". CBC Digital Archives. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  2. ^ Samy Mesli, historien. "Charles de Gaulle au Québec 24 juillet 1967". Fondation Lionel-Groulx, 2017—2018 (in French). Charles de Gaulle au Québec en 1967. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Thomson 1988, pp. 188–189
  4. ^ Harvey, Allen (April 10, 1967). "Phillip amoung [sic] 15,000 at Vimy but not Charles De Gaulle". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. pp. 1, 17.
  5. ^ Kalbfleisch, John (July 13, 2012). "Second Draft: De Gaulle's Montreal speeches a study in contrast". The Gazette. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Berton 1997, pp. 302–303
  7. ^ Berton 1997, pp. 300–312
  8. ^ Quebec Bureau (July 24, 1967). "Quebec Gives De Gaulle, Warm Reserved Welcome". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. pp. 1, 10.
  9. ^ MacKenzie, Robert (July 24, 1967). "De Gaulle Boosts 'Quebec-First' Mood". The Toronto Daily Star (All-Star ed.). p. 4.
  10. ^ a b c Thomson 1988, p. 199
  11. ^ Depoe, Norman (July 24, 1967). . On This Day. Newsmagazine. CBC News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Gray, Walter (July 26, 1967). "Pearson Rebukes Him—Now ... De Gaulle Going Home". The Toronto Daily Star. pp. 1–2. 3-Star Edition
  13. ^ a b c Canadian Press (July 24, 2007). . CBC News. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Gillan, Michael (July 26, 1967). "Words Unacceptable to Canadians: De Gaulle Rebuked by Pearson". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. pp. 1, 4.
  15. ^ a b "De Gaulle and 'Vive le Québec Libre'". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2012. from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  16. ^ Busby 2008, p. 159
  17. ^ Gorrell, David (July 27, 1967). "Ceremony at Airport Brief but Correct". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 1.
  18. ^ Chartier, Jean (July 23, 1997). . vigile.net. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2012. Note that the phrase "la chose française" is incapable of direct translation into English.
  19. ^ Spicer, Keith (July 27, 1967). "Paris Perplexed by De Gaulle's Quebec Conduct". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 23.
  20. ^ Block, Irwin (July 24, 1967). "De Gaulle's Speech Masterly Mrinkmanship, Says Levesque". The Toronto Daily Star. p. 4. All-Star Edition
  21. ^ "Levesque Pays Tribute to Charles de Gaulle". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. Reuters. November 1, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  22. ^ Thomson 1988, p. 243
  23. ^ Ellis 1993, p. 62
  24. ^ de Gaulle, Charles. "Allocution du Général de Gaulle à Quimper" [Speech of General de Gaulle in Quimper] (in French) – via French National Audiovisual Institute (INA).

Bibliography edit

External links edit

  • Video of the whole speech on SRC.ca
  • Longer video of the visit, starting with the arrival of the "Colbert"
  • (in French)

December 15, 2023
vive, québec, libre, help, expand, this, article, with, text, translated, from, corresponding, article, french, august, 2023, click, show, important, translation, instructions, machine, translation, like, deepl, google, translate, useful, starting, point, tran. You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French August 2023 Click show for important translation instructions Machine translation like DeepL or Google Translate is a useful starting point for translations but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate rather than simply copy pasting machine translated text into the English Wikipedia Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low quality If possible verify the text with references provided in the foreign language article You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at fr Vive le Quebec libre see its history for attribution You should also add the template Translated fr Vive le Quebec libre to the talk page For more guidance see Wikipedia Translation Vive le Quebec libre French viv le ke bɛk libʁ Long live free Quebec was a phrase in a speech delivered by French President Charles de Gaulle in Montreal Quebec on July 24 1967 during an official visit to Canada for the Expo 67 world s fair While giving an address to a large crowd from a balcony at Montreal City Hall he uttered Vive Montreal Vive le Quebec Long live Montreal Long live Quebec and then added followed by loud applause Vive le Quebec libre Long live free Quebec with particular emphasis on the word libre The phrase a slogan used by Quebecers who favoured Quebec sovereignty was seen as giving his support to the movement French President Charles de Gaulle shortly after giving the Vive le Quebec libre speech In the background Mayor of Montreal Jean Drapeau The speech caused a diplomatic incident with the Government of Canada and was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B Pearson saying that Canadians do not need to be liberated 1 In France though many were sympathetic to the cause of Quebec nationalism De Gaulle s speech was criticized as a breach of protocol Contents 1 Background 2 Speech 3 Reaction 4 See also 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksBackground edit nbsp Charles de Gaulle 1963 nbsp General Charles De Gaulle on the Chemin du Roy 2 Sainte Anne de la Perade 1967Even before his arrival the Canadian federal government had been concerned about President de Gaulle s visit Earlier that year the French government had not sent a high level representative to the funeral service for Governor General Georges Vanier 3 This attracted notice in Canada as Vanier and his wife Pauline had been personal friends of de Gaulle since 1940 when the latter was in exile in London England 3 In April de Gaulle did not attend the 50th anniversary ceremonies commemorating the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge 4 So worried was the Pearson government about potential interference of France in domestic affairs that Secretary of State for External Affairs Paul Martin was dispatched to visit de Gaulle in Paris to mend the two countries relationship The Montreal Gazette speculated in 2012 45 years after the speech that de Gaulle was still annoyed over a perceived slight from World War II era Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King s slow recognition of the new French government in late summer 1944 5 In the spring of 1966 as part of the Expo 67 diplomatic protocols de Gaulle and all world leaders whose countries had an exhibit at the fair were invited to visit Canada during the spring and summer of 1967 6 A few months later de Gaulle was also sent a separate invitation to visit Quebec by Quebec premier Daniel Johnson 6 De Gaulle as a visiting head of state should have arrived in the Canadian capital of Ottawa as would be conventional protocol Instead he took the time to sail on the French navy s Mediterranean flagship the cruiser Colbert so that he could arrive in Quebec City the capital city of the province of Quebec 7 There de Gaulle was cheered enthusiastically while the new governor general Roland Michener was booed by the same crowd when viceregal salute was played at his arrival 8 In his speech de Gaulle spoke of his country s evolving ties with Quebec hinting at his support for Quebec sovereignty 9 Speech edit nbsp Montreal City Hall s balcony where De Gaulle gave his speech On July 15 before boarding the Colbert de Gaulle told Xavier Deniau They will hear me over there it will make waves 10 He also confided to his son in law General Alain de Boissieu that I am going to strike a strong blow Things are going to get hot But it is necessary It is the last chance to rectify the cowardice of France 10 On July 24 de Gaulle arrived in Montreal and was driven up the Chemin du Roy to Montreal City Hall where Mayor Jean Drapeau and Premier Johnson waited De Gaulle was not scheduled to speak that evening but the crowd chanted for him he told Drapeau I have to speak to those people who are calling for me According to a number of personal interviews with high ranking French officials as well as documents he uncovered scholar Dale C Thomson wrote that de Gaulle s statement was planned and that he used it when the opportunity presented itself 10 De Gaulle stepped out onto the balcony to give a short address to the assembled masses which was also broadcast live on radio In his speech he commented that his drive down the banks of the Saint Lawrence River lined as it had been with cheering crowds reminded him of his triumphant return to Paris after the liberation from Nazi Germany The speech appeared to conclude with the words Vive Montreal Vive le Quebec Long live Montreal Long live Quebec but he then added Vive le Quebec libre Vive vive vive le Canada francais Et vive la France Long live free Quebec Long live long live long live French Canada And long live France 11 whereupon the crowd roared with approval especially after hearing Vive le Quebec libre Reaction editThis statement coming from the French head of state was considered a serious breach of diplomatic protocol 12 13 It emboldened the Quebec sovereignty movement and produced tensions between the leadership of the two countries 13 The crowd s reaction to de Gaulle s phrase was emotional and it sparked controversy with many English Canadians afterwards as they were outraged at the implied threat to Canada s territorial integrity 12 Canadian Prime Minister Lester B Pearson rebuked de Gaulle with an official statement delivered to the French Embassy on July 25 and read on national television that evening 14 He said The people of Canada are free Every province in Canada is free Canadians do not need to be liberated Indeed many thousands of Canadians gave their lives in two world wars in the liberation of France and other European countries 14 A media and diplomatic uproar ensued thereafter which resulted in de Gaulle cutting short his visit to Canada 15 The day after the speech de Gaulle visited Expo 67 and hosted a banquet at the French pavilion On July 26 instead of continuing his visit on to Ottawa where he was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pearson he decided to return to France on a French military jet 16 17 The newly appointed Canadian Minister of Justice Pierre Trudeau publicly wondered what the French reaction would have been if a Canadian Prime Minister shouted Brittany to the Bretons 15 From then on de Gaulle remained unimpressed by Trudeau saying Nous n avons aucune concession ni meme aucune amabilite a faire a M Trudeau qui est l adversaire de la chose francaise au Canada We have not one concession nor even any courtesy to extend to Mr Trudeau who is the adversary of the French fact in Canada 18 De Gaulle was also heavily criticized by a large part of the French media for his breach of international protocol in particular by Le Monde 19 Meanwhile to members of the Quebec sovereignty movement the speech was viewed as a watershed moment 13 Occurring soon after the Quiet Revolution and taking into account the low economic and political state of French Canadians at the time the support of a foreign head of state seemed to add credibility to the movement in the eyes of many including future Quebec premier Rene Levesque 20 21 On the flight home from Montreal de Gaulle told Rene de Saint Legier de la Saussaye his diplomatic counsellor that the event was a historical phenomenon that was perhaps foreseeable but it took a form that only the situation itself could determine Of course like many others I could have got away with a few polite remarks or diplomatic acrobatics but when one is General De Gaulle one does not have recourse to such expedients What I did I had to do it 22 In 1969 de Gaulle visited Brittany during which in Quimper he declaimed a poem written by his uncle also called Charles de Gaulle in the Breton language expressing devotion to Breton culture The speech well received by the crowd followed a series of crackdowns on Breton nationalism He was accused of double standards for on the one hand demanding a free Quebec while on the other oppressing the movement in Brittany 23 During this Quimper speech he replied to this criticism that Brittany was free and had been freed by Bretons and other French forces during the Liberation reminding them that the Resistance was more intense in Brittany than in any other part of France and that many Bretons had joined the Free French Forces 24 See also edit nbsp Canada portal nbsp France portalCanada France relations Gaullism History of Quebec List of speeches Rassemblement pour l Independance Nationale Quebec sovereignty movement FranceReferences edit Prime Minister Pearson stands up to de Gaulle CBC Digital Archives Retrieved December 20 2014 Samy Mesli historien Charles de Gaulle au Quebec 24 juillet 1967 Fondation Lionel Groulx 2017 2018 in French Charles de Gaulle au Quebec en 1967 Retrieved August 6 2023 a b Thomson 1988 pp 188 189 Harvey Allen April 10 1967 Phillip amoung sic 15 000 at Vimy but not Charles De Gaulle The Globe and Mail Toronto pp 1 17 Kalbfleisch John July 13 2012 Second Draft De Gaulle s Montreal speeches a study in contrast The Gazette Retrieved April 7 2023 a b Berton 1997 pp 302 303 Berton 1997 pp 300 312 Quebec Bureau July 24 1967 Quebec Gives De Gaulle Warm Reserved Welcome The Globe and Mail Toronto pp 1 10 MacKenzie Robert July 24 1967 De Gaulle Boosts Quebec First Mood The Toronto Daily Star All Star ed p 4 a b c Thomson 1988 p 199 Depoe Norman July 24 1967 Vive le Quebec libre On This Day Newsmagazine CBC News Archived from the original on May 1 2012 Retrieved July 24 2012 a b Gray Walter July 26 1967 Pearson Rebukes Him Now De Gaulle Going Home The Toronto Daily Star pp 1 2 3 Star Edition a b c Canadian Press July 24 2007 Vive le Quebec libre Thrust Quebec onto International Stage CBC News Archived from the original on March 9 2013 Retrieved July 25 2012 a b Gillan Michael July 26 1967 Words Unacceptable to Canadians De Gaulle Rebuked by Pearson The Globe and Mail Toronto pp 1 4 a b De Gaulle and Vive le Quebec Libre The Canadian Encyclopedia 2012 Archived from the original on January 19 2012 Retrieved July 24 2012 Busby 2008 p 159 Gorrell David July 27 1967 Ceremony at Airport Brief but Correct The Globe and Mail Toronto p 1 Chartier Jean July 23 1997 De Gaulle s etait adresse aux Quebecois des 1940 vigile net Archived from the original on June 27 2013 Retrieved July 24 2012 Note that the phrase la chose francaise is incapable of direct translation into English Spicer Keith July 27 1967 Paris Perplexed by De Gaulle s Quebec Conduct The Globe and Mail Toronto p 23 Block Irwin July 24 1967 De Gaulle s Speech Masterly Mrinkmanship Says Levesque The Toronto Daily Star p 4 All Star Edition Levesque Pays Tribute to Charles de Gaulle The Leader Post Regina Saskatchewan Reuters November 1 1977 p 2 Retrieved July 25 2012 Thomson 1988 p 243 Ellis 1993 p 62 de Gaulle Charles Allocution du General de Gaulle a Quimper Speech of General de Gaulle in Quimper in French via French National Audiovisual Institute INA Bibliography editBerton Pierre 1997 1967 The Last Good Year Toronto Doubleday Canada ISBN 0 385 25662 0 Busby Brian 2008 Great Canadian Speeches Words Words that Shaped a Nation London Capella ISBN 978 1 84193 957 5 Ellis Peter Berresford 1993 The Celtic Dawn A History of Pan Celticism London Constable Peyrefitte Alain 2000 C etait de Gaulle tome 3 in French Paris editions de Fallois Fayard ISBN 9782213644912 Taillez Felix de 2011 Amour sacre de la Patrie de Gaulle in Neufrankreich Symbolik Rhetorik und Geschichtskonzept seiner Reden in Quebec 1967 in German and French Munich Utz ISBN 978 3 8316 4073 7 Thomson Dale C 1988 Vive le Quebec Libre Toronto Deneau Publishers ISBN 0 88879 151 8 External links editVideo of the whole speech on SRC ca Longer video of the visit starting with the arrival of the Colbert De Gaulle and Quebec in French Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vive le Quebec libre amp oldid 1186586306, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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