Revolver provided to lawyer Robert Demers
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Activities
LOOK
Look at this revolver and compare it with this handgun from the 1860s. What are some similarities and some differences? By looking at it, could you give a date for this object?
THINK
Read the Historical Context below. Do you think a lawyer would be given a gun for personal protection today? What has changed since the 1970s?
THINK
Read the Historical Context below. What does the fact that a lawyer needed a handgun for protection tell you about the atmosphere during the October Crisis? How do you think people were feeling at the time?
Details
Date 
Materials - Metal
- Wood
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
- Cross was released, but Laporte was murdered. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
- This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
After two months of captivity, and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released, but Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
On Monday, October 5, 1970, a cell of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped British diplomat James Cross at gunpoint. To the FLQ, Cross was an “agent of British colonialism.” Then, on October 10, 1970, Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte was kidnapped.
After two months of captivity and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released. Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken.
The Quebec government, led by Robert Bourassa, was shaken by the kidnapping of Cross, but traumatized by the murder of Laporte.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Quebec lawyer Robert Demers, when he was asked to negotiate with the FLQ for the release of Cross and Laporte. The province also intensified its police activity.
- In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
- Cross was released, but Laporte was murdered. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
- This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
After two months of captivity, and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released, but Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
On Monday, October 5, 1970, a cell of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped British diplomat James Cross at gunpoint. To the FLQ, Cross was an “agent of British colonialism.” Then, on October 10, 1970, Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte was kidnapped.
After two months of captivity and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released. Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken.
The Quebec government, led by Robert Bourassa, was shaken by the kidnapping of Cross, but traumatized by the murder of Laporte.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Quebec lawyer Robert Demers, when he was asked to negotiate with the FLQ for the release of Cross and Laporte. The province also intensified its police activity.
Summary
- In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
- Cross was released, but Laporte was murdered. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
- This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
Essential
In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte.
After two months of captivity, and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released, but Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken. The FLQ’s actions shook the Quebec government.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Robert Demers, a lawyer asked to negotiate with the FLQ after Cross and Laporte were kidnapped.
In-Depth
On Monday, October 5, 1970, a cell of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) kidnapped British diplomat James Cross at gunpoint. To the FLQ, Cross was an “agent of British colonialism.” Then, on October 10, 1970, Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte was kidnapped.
After two months of captivity and extensive negotiations between the Quebec government and the FLQ, Cross was released. Laporte had been murdered just seven days after being taken.
The Quebec government, led by Robert Bourassa, was shaken by the kidnapping of Cross, but traumatized by the murder of Laporte.
This revolver was given, as protection, to Quebec lawyer Robert Demers, when he was asked to negotiate with the FLQ for the release of Cross and Laporte. The province also intensified its police activity.