March 21st, 2008
For many years, Canada faced the threat of separatism. But now the English and the French Canadians feel being a part of the single nation.
Moreover, the issue of granting independence to Quebec province where the majority of the population is French-speaking is not longer burning. The reasons for it are both economic and mental.
The problem of self-determination of nations has acquired the same acuteness in the contemporary world as it had in the mid 20th century. Fading ethnic conflicts are running high with renewed vigor. Though, there are countries where the governors have managed to reach the national unity by peaceful means.
Canada is one of these countries. Its population is divided into two numerous groups: the English Canadians and the French Canadians. After many years of confrontation and multiple attempts of divorce, now these nations are part of the united Canadian people. Moreover, the issue of granting independence to Quebec province where the majority of the population is French-speaking is not longer burning as it used to be some ten years ago when the French Canadians were actively advocating Quebec’s self-determination.
The confrontation between the English and the French inhabitants of the province began as early as in the mid 18th century when after ending of the Seven Years’ War France lost its colony in Canada. After the English had won, a lot of French people were wiped out or driven out from the occupied territories. The British took their place. A part of the surviving French Canadians were driven into Lower Canada renamed Quebec.
The invaders treated the conquered population as ’second best’ people, discriminated them in a number of ways, banned speaking French and observing national traditions. It was so, until in 1867 the British dominion of Canada appeared. However, the head of the state is still the English queen, and this fact annoys the French Canadians.