Excerpts of FLQ Manifesto
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LOOK
Watch the excerpt from the FLQ Manifesto, or read the transcript below. What key point is the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) trying to make? What questions do you have about the movement or its goals?
LOOK
Watch the excerpt from the FLQ Manifesto, or read the transcript below. What do you think “voracious sharks, patronizing big bosses and their henchmen” means? What reaction or sentiment might wording like this prompt in the audience?
THINK
Watch the excerpt from the FLQ Manifesto, or read the transcript below. Why do you think the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) wrote this? To inform your answer, read the Historical Context below.
Details
Date October 8, 1970
Materials Transcript
Front de libération du Québec. Manifesto.
The Front de libération du Québec is neither the Messiah nor a modern-day Robin Hood. It is a group of Quebec workers who are determined to use every means possible to ensure that the people of Quebec take control of their own destiny. The Front de libération du Québec wants total independence for Quebecers, united in a free society and purged for good of the clique of voracious sharks, the patronizing “big bosses” and their henchmen who have made Quebec their private hunting ground for “cheap labor” and unscrupulous exploitation.
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) wanted Quebec to be independent and socialist. They were active in the 1960s and 1970s.
- The FLQ didn’t believe in the current democratic process, and saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
- This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto, which was broadcast on Radio-Canada.
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were expressing a desire for change. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo in the province. Their main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec.
The FLQ was disillusioned with the current democratic process and inspired by the “direct action” of anti-capitalist and anti-colonial movements around the world. They saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, members detonated more than 200 bombs and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto. It was broadcast on Radio-Canada for “humanitarian reasons” and hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere.
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were undergoing massive upheaval — both peaceful and violent — that was rooted in a desire for change. Montréal was not immune to the social unrest. Strikes and demonstrations, often marked by violence, intensified, forcing authorities to take a harder line.
People denounced capitalism, Anglo-American domination, racism, the Vietnam War and more. Montréal Mayor Jean Drapeau’s own home was bombed in September 1969.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo at the time. Its main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec. Members of the FLQ were inspired by other anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements from around the world, including those in Algeria and Cuba.
When the newly formed Parti Québécois won very few seats in the April 1970 provincial election, the FLQ argued that the election had been rigged. The group felt that the capitalist, British parliamentary system could never fairly give Quebec what it wanted. In their view, they had exhausted all democratic avenues, and violence was the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, the FLQ detonated more than 200 bombs, and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was also responsible for nine deaths.
“For humanitarian reasons,” the Canadian government agreed to televise the FLQ Manifesto on Radio-Canada, Canada’s national French-language network. Its harsh language hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere, whether they were for or against the movement.
In this short excerpt, a Radio-Canada anchorman reads a section of the Manifesto.
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) wanted Quebec to be independent and socialist. They were active in the 1960s and 1970s.
- The FLQ didn’t believe in the current democratic process, and saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
- This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto, which was broadcast on Radio-Canada.
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were expressing a desire for change. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo in the province. Their main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec.
The FLQ was disillusioned with the current democratic process and inspired by the “direct action” of anti-capitalist and anti-colonial movements around the world. They saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, members detonated more than 200 bombs and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto. It was broadcast on Radio-Canada for “humanitarian reasons” and hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere.
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were undergoing massive upheaval — both peaceful and violent — that was rooted in a desire for change. Montréal was not immune to the social unrest. Strikes and demonstrations, often marked by violence, intensified, forcing authorities to take a harder line.
People denounced capitalism, Anglo-American domination, racism, the Vietnam War and more. Montréal Mayor Jean Drapeau’s own home was bombed in September 1969.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo at the time. Its main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec. Members of the FLQ were inspired by other anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements from around the world, including those in Algeria and Cuba.
When the newly formed Parti Québécois won very few seats in the April 1970 provincial election, the FLQ argued that the election had been rigged. The group felt that the capitalist, British parliamentary system could never fairly give Quebec what it wanted. In their view, they had exhausted all democratic avenues, and violence was the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, the FLQ detonated more than 200 bombs, and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was also responsible for nine deaths.
“For humanitarian reasons,” the Canadian government agreed to televise the FLQ Manifesto on Radio-Canada, Canada’s national French-language network. Its harsh language hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere, whether they were for or against the movement.
In this short excerpt, a Radio-Canada anchorman reads a section of the Manifesto.
Summary
- The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) wanted Quebec to be independent and socialist. They were active in the 1960s and 1970s.
- The FLQ didn’t believe in the current democratic process, and saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
- This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto, which was broadcast on Radio-Canada.
Essential
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were expressing a desire for change. The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo in the province. Their main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec.
The FLQ was disillusioned with the current democratic process and inspired by the “direct action” of anti-capitalist and anti-colonial movements around the world. They saw violence as the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, members detonated more than 200 bombs and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was responsible for nine deaths.
This clip features excerpts from the FLQ Manifesto. It was broadcast on Radio-Canada for “humanitarian reasons” and hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere.
In-Depth
At the end of the 1960s, both Quebec and the wider world were undergoing massive upheaval — both peaceful and violent — that was rooted in a desire for change. Montréal was not immune to the social unrest. Strikes and demonstrations, often marked by violence, intensified, forcing authorities to take a harder line.
People denounced capitalism, Anglo-American domination, racism, the Vietnam War and more. Montréal Mayor Jean Drapeau’s own home was bombed in September 1969.
The Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) was angry with the status quo at the time. Its main goal was to create an independent and socialist Quebec. Members of the FLQ were inspired by other anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements from around the world, including those in Algeria and Cuba.
When the newly formed Parti Québécois won very few seats in the April 1970 provincial election, the FLQ argued that the election had been rigged. The group felt that the capitalist, British parliamentary system could never fairly give Quebec what it wanted. In their view, they had exhausted all democratic avenues, and violence was the only way to achieve their goals. Between 1963 and 1970, the FLQ detonated more than 200 bombs, and stole weapons, explosives and money. The FLQ was also responsible for nine deaths.
“For humanitarian reasons,” the Canadian government agreed to televise the FLQ Manifesto on Radio-Canada, Canada’s national French-language network. Its harsh language hardened the opinions of listeners everywhere, whether they were for or against the movement.
In this short excerpt, a Radio-Canada anchorman reads a section of the Manifesto.