In this well-researched book, one learns about Charles de Gaulle and
the Gaullist aggression on Quebec between 1967 and 1977. Many Quebecois
were aware of de Gaulle's French imperial connections, but separatists in Quebec,
encouraged by his famous "Vive la Quebec libre!" speech in July 1967, ignored
the fact that de Gaulle interpreted history to serve his own political ambitions.
There is little literature supporting the idea that de Gaulle was an
inspiration to the Quebec separatists, and this book underscores that
paucity. With cogent arguments, Bosher fills a large gap in the history
of Quebec separatism.
In the 1960s, during the Cold War and the period of decolonization,
de Gaulle identified with "the liberal and national aspirations
of the Quiet Revolution in Quebec" (p.14). France and Quebec initially cooperated to establish agencies
to achieve social, economic and political reform, but de Gaulle had
an ulterior motive to include Quebec within the French realm. He believed
that France would conduct cultural and clandestine activities, through
the efforts of the French Quebec mafia (that included civil servants,
diplomats, government officials, parliamentarians and associates of
de Gaulle), "to promote an independent French-speaking republic
in North America" (p.29). The Acadians in New Brunswick were also
part of de Gaulle's liberation schemes. France (and the Gaullists) offered
the Acadians cultural gifts and scholarships that were obviously tinged
with emotional and political motives.
Eventually, the Canadian government began to watch the French Quebec
mafia that supported the separatist movement and the Parti Quebecois.
While the RCMP carried out surveillance on separatists, it was the FLQ
Crisis in October 1970 which alerted Canadian government officials that
the Gaullist activities in Quebec were more than a "part of the
normal intellectual process in the world of la francophonie" (p.142).
Part three of the book, focusing on imperialistic dreams, offers additional
and succinct insights into the mind of Charles de Gaulle. His was to
be a "cultural and an economic empire based on language, history,
and misty feelings of cultural affinity" (p.180). In chapters 14
and 15, Bosher also "critically explores de Gaulle's (and Gaullist)
thinking" (p.216). de Gaulle reinvented the past and three points
are evident. First, de Gaulle was a revisionist. Where Allied sacrifices
are concerned, he ignored Canada's contributions at Vimy Ridge and Dieppe.
Second, "by an act of faith" (p. 221), the French were called
upon to believe in their leader and his imperial dreams. He had a sense
of history that many French never ceased to admire. Third, his views
of history were propagandistic and he had no qualms about distorting
past events to promote present political objectives. de Gaulle's was
a "home-brewed version of Quebec history" (p. 230). It was
clear that he interpreted history to suit his own goals and schemes.
The Guallist Attack on Canada, 1967-1997 was written for a specialized
audience. In addition to individuals interested in politics and foreign
policy, senior university students and students of Quebec history will
find the book a useful resource. Students in introductory Canadian history
and political science courses will appreciate reading about the Gaullist
support for the FLQ. While the appendix with the chronology of events
is useful some may find the list of names confusing. That aside, readers
will find the lessons Bosher draws, thirty years after de Gaulle's 1967
speech, enlightening.